The Council of Europe’s network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence held its second meeting on 18–19 September 2025 in Strasbourg, dedicated to the theme “Providing legal support and representation to migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee victims of violence against women through strategic litigation.”

Bringing together practicing independent lawyers and specialist women’s organisations providing legal representation to victims of violence against women from 26 Council of Europe member States, the discussions focused on strengthening strategic litigation capacities, engaging in partnerships and fostering co-operation with civil society organisations working in the field of violence against women.

The meeting also allowed participants to share experiences in representing victims of violence against women in asylum procedures, applications for independent residence permits in contexts of domestic violence and cases addressing the impact of conditions in asylum reception centres on women victims of gender-based violence. It offered different perspectives on overcoming obstacles in representing migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee women before national and international courts and on identifying effective strategies for successful litigation.