“2017 has been a year of heightened media attention on sexual abuse of women in many countries. Calls for action such as the #MeToo social media campaign have shown that women are ready to speak out more and more. We, as policy makers, must advocate for genuine cultural change to combat violent behaviour against women and recognise their place in our societies" said Gudrun Mosler-Törnström, Congress President and Vice-President of the Salzburg Parliament, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2017. “Local authorities, because of their responsibilities, particularly in the field of social policies, must initiate and accompany such change" she added.
Ms Mosler-Törnström also called on local and regional authorities to put pressure on those governments which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the “Istanbul Convention”, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, ratified so far by 27 countries out of 47.
Congress texts on women’s rights and equality between men and women:
- Women’s participation in public life at local and regional levels: good practices in member States and Congress action
Resolution 404 (2016) - Recommendation 390 (2016) - Explanatory memorandum CG31(2016)09-FINAL - Gender budgeting
Resolution 405 (2016) - Explanatory memorandum CG31(2016)10-FINAL - Fighting the increasing poverty of women: the responsibility of local and regional authorities
Resolution 391 (2015); Recommendation 381(2015); Explanatory memorandum CG/2015(29)9FINAL - Achieving sustainable gender equality in local and regional political life
Resolution 303 (2010); Recommendation 288 (2010); Explanatory memorandum CG(18)10 - Combating domestic violence against women
Resolution 279 (2009); Recommendation 260 (2009); Explanatory memorandum CG(16)7REP - Gender mainstreaming at local and regional level: a strategy to promote equality between women and men in cities and regions
Resolution 176 (2004); Recommendation 148 (2004); Explanatory memorandum CG(11)10
