Since 2019, progress on gender equality laws and policies has been profoundly impacted by crises such as climate change, Covid-19, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and economic crises. These challenges have disproportionately impacted women and girls, intensifying inequalities and exposing them to increased risks of violence and discrimination. The pandemic’s long-term effects, the food and energy crises and geopolitical uncertainties threaten global security and development, demanding gender-sensitive and intersectional responses aimed at leaving no-one behind. Armed conflict, including in Ukraine, has led to increased sexual violence, recognized internationally as a tactic of war.

The Council of Europe works towards the implementation of the 2010 Committee of Ministers Recommendation on the role of women and men in conflict prevention and resolution and in peace building, as part of the Organisation’s contribution to the global Women, Peace and Security agenda. The Recommendation promotes the equal participation of women and men in national and international decision-making and the adoption of gender transformative approaches in crisis management, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, including transformative, system-wide gender mainstreaming in policies addressing public health, peace and security, climate change, and economic crises.