EN FR

The Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention held its 20th meeting

Committee of the Parties 2 June 2026 Strasbourg, France

The 20th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention was held in Strasbourg on 2 June 2026. The Committee elected the following five experts to serve on the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) starting...

Read More

EN FR

First webinar for the Network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence

NETWORK OF LAWYERS AND NGOS 27 May 2026 ONLINE

The Council of Europe’s network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence held its first webinar on 27 May 2026, dedicated to the theme “Providing legal support and representation to victims of domestic violence in child custody and visitation rights cases.” The case of...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Norway

GREVIO 13-17 April 2026 Norway

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Norway, from 13 to 17 April 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Germany

GREVIO 13-17 April 2026 Germany

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Germany, from 13 to 17 April 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO held its 38th plenary meeting

GREVIO 27 March 2026 Strasbourg, France

The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) held its 38th plenary meeting from 23 to 26 March 2026. It approved its preliminary first thematic evaluation reports on Estonia, Malta, Romania and Slovenia as well as its preliminary baseline evaluation...

Read More

EN FR

Women's access to justice free from legal retaliation: a structural challenge for justice systems

EDVAW PLATFORM 12 March 2026 New York

On 12 March, the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on Discrimination and Violence against Women (EDVAW Platform) organised, in collaboration with UN Women, a side event on the margins of the 70th Commission of the Status of Women focussing on women's access to justice free from...

Read More

EN FR

Securing rights and justice without fear of retaliation #ForAllWomenAndGirls

EDVAW PLATFORM 6 March 2026

“All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.” Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 7   In speaking with one voice, we members of the EDVAW Platform call upon States, world leaders, and the global community, on this 8th of...

Read More

EN FR

Strengthening Europe’s commitment to women’s rights and safety

SECRETARY GENERAL 6 March 2026 Strasbourg

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset made the following statement marking International Women’s Day: Recent headlines feature women every day. The sex-trafficking ring at the centre of the Epstein files. The rape and abuse of Gisèle Pelicot by scores of men. The use of AI to create...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Switzerland

MONITORING 9 - 13 March 2026 Switzerland

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Switzerland, from 9 to 13 March 2026, focussing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO will carry out its first thematic evaluation visit to Georgia

MONITORING 23 - 27 February 2026 Georgia

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out its follow-up evaluation visit to Georgia, from 23 to 27 February 2026, focussing on the theme “Building trust by delivering support, protection and...

Read More

EN FR

Declaration made at the 19th meeting of the Committee of the Parties

Committee of the Parties 11 December 2025 Strasbourg, France

On the occasion of the 19th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention held on 11 December 2025 and as the 16 Days of Activism on Gender-based Violence had drawn to a close, the 38 member states of the Council of Europe that are party to the Istanbul Convention...

Read More

EN FR

New Bureau elected during the 19th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention

Committee of the Parties 11 December 2025 Strasbourg, France

At its 19th meeting held on 11 December 2025, the Committee of the Parties elected its new Bureau composed of: Mr Vebjørn Heines, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Norway to the Council of Europe, as Chair, and Ms Berta Mrak, Ambassador Extraordinary and...

Read More

EN FR

Follow-up round table on promoting national synergies in implementing the Istanbul Convention in Greece

4 December 2025 Athens, Greece

On 4 December 2025, the Violence against Women Division organised a follow-up round table on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Greece, aimed at promoting national synergies in addressing violence against women. The meeting provided the unique opportunity to take stock of and...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO President leading international platform of women’s rights monitoring mechanisms in 2026

8 December 2025 Strasbourg, France

From 1 January to 31 December 2026, GREVIO President Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou will be taking on the presidency of the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on Discrimination and Violence against Women (EDVAW Platform). This unique forum brings together seven United Nations and regional...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO welcomes the significant expansion and the development of Italy’s legislative framework on violence against women

GREVIO 2 December 2025 Strasbourg, France

In its first thematic evaluation report on Italy, published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts (GREVIO) welcomes the significant expansion and the development of the country’s legislative framework on violence against women, clearly demonstrating a commitment to the implementation of...

Read More

EN FR

Violence against women in Belgium: Laudable progress, but better data collection and access to shelters needed

GREVIO 27 November 2025 Strasbourg, France

The authorities in Belgium have made laudable efforts to implement the Istanbul Convention in recent years, according to the Council of Europe’s expert group on violence against women (GREVIO). However, further action is required in a number of areas to fully comply with the convention. Following...

Read More

EN FR

GREVIO receives the report by the European Union

MONITORING 26 November 2025 Strasbourg, France

The report by the European Union on measures giving effect to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) was received by GREVIO on 24 November 2025 under its baseline evaluation procedure,...

Read More

EN FR

Istanbul Convention: Significant progress in Andorra to combat violence against women, but some issues still require comprehensive action

GREVIO 26 November 2025 Strasbourg, France

Andorra has made significant legislative and institutional progress in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in recent years. However, comprehensive action is still required in certain areas to fully comply with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and...

Read More

EN FR

“The Istanbul Convention is a powerful tool for change": message from the President of GREVIO, Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou

GREVIO 24 November 2025 Strasbourg, France

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we stand united in our shared belief that a life free from violence is not an aspiration; it is a fundamental human right. Around the world, too many women and girls still face the daily reality of fear, abuse and silence....

Read More

EN FR

Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on International Day on the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025

“No woman should live in fear of violence”

SECRETARY GENERAL 24 November 2025 Strasbourg, France

Democracy rests on the fundamental principle that everyone deserves equal rights and dignity and can live safely and freely. As our democracies are facing new challenges, women’s rights are increasingly called into question. On the eve of International Day on the Elimination of Violence against...

Read More