On the occasion of the meeting of the Council of Europe's Gender Equality Commission (GEC), from 11 – 13 April 2018 in Strasbourg, Congress Secretary General Andreas KIEFER met GEC Chairperson Eva FEHRINGER.
They discussed possible synergies, the role of the Congress in promoting the Council of Europe's work in this field with local and regional authorities, and the innovative initiatives implemented by cities and regions, from which national governments could draw inspiration.
The new Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy was adopted by the Committee of Ministers in their 1309th meeting on 7 March 2018. The Congress will contribute to those strategic objectives which are of relevance for local and regional politicians.
These include, in particular, preventing gender stereotypes, the fight against domestic violence, equal access of women to justice, the participation of women and men in political and public decision-making, protecting the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, as well as gender mainstreaming in all policies and measures.
