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COUNCIL OF EUROPE

GENDER EQUALITY STRATEGY

2018-2023

COUNCIL OF EUROPE

GENDER EQUALITY STRATEGY

2018-2023

Council of Europe

French Edition:

Stratégie du Conseil de l’Europe

pour l’égalité entre les femmes

et les hommes 2018-2023

All requests concerning the

reproduction or translation

of all or part of this document

should be addressed to the

Directorate of Communication

(F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex or

[email protected]). All other

correspondence concerning

this document should be

addressed to the Directorate

General of Democracy.

Cover design and layout:

Documents and Publications

Production Department

(SPDP), Council of Europe

Printed at the Council of Europe

Table of contents

INTRODUCTION:

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND GENDER EQUALITY

Council of Europe Legal Instruments

The Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017

The new Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023

Council of Europe in the global context:

UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

GOAL AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Strategic objective 1:

Prevent and combat gender stereotypes and sexism

Strategic objective 2:

Prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence

Strategic objective 3:

Ensure the equal access of women to justice

Strategic objective 4:

Achieve balanced participation of women and men

in political and public decision-making

Strategic objective 5:

Protect the rights of migrant, refugee and

asylum-seeking women and girls

Strategic objective 6:

Achieve gender mainstreaming in all policies and measures

INSTITUTIONAL SETTING, RESOURCES AND WORKING METHODS

PARTNERSHIPS

COMMUNICATION

APPENDIX I – RISK MANAGEMENT AND NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION

APPENDIX II – LIST OF ACRONYMS

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LIU, Alm.del - 2017-18 - Bilag 86: Invitation til konferencen den 3. og 4. maj 2018 Gender equality: paving the way – conference to launch the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023 som afholdes som en del af det danske formandskab for Europarådets Ministerkomité LIU, Alm.del - 2017-18 - Bilag 86: Invitation til konferencen den 3. og 4. maj 2018 Gender equality: paving the way – conference to launch the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023 som afholdes som en del af det danske formandskab for Europarådets Ministerkomité

INTRODUCTION:

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

AND GENDER EQUALITY

Achieving gender equality is central to the fulfilment of the Council

of Europe’s mission: safeguarding human rights, upholding democracy and

preserving the rule of law.

Gender equality entails equal rights for women and men, girls and boys, as

well as the same visibility, empowerment, responsibility and participation, in all

spheres of public and private life.

It also implies equal access to and distribution

of resources between women and men.

Even if progress is visible and the legal status of women in Europe has

undoubtedly improved during recent decades, effective equality between

women and men is far from being a reality. Gender gaps and structural barriers

persist in many areas, which limit women and men to their traditional roles,

and constrain women’s opportunities to benefit from their fundamental rights.

Regular monitoring and research show that progress is very slow as regards

women’s political participation, access to justice and the elimination of harm-

ful gender stereotypes and sexism. Violence against women remains one of

the most pronounced expressions of the unequal power relations between

women and men. It is both a violation of the human rights of women and a

major obstacle to gender equality.

Even if progress is visible, effective

equality between women and

men is far from being a reality.

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In the current context of growing economic difficulties and subsequent

austerity policies and measures, political uncertainties and raising inequalities

at all levels of the society, it is important to recognise the essential contribution

of women to communities, societies and economies, and address the high

cost of gender inequalities. Factors such as rising nationalism and populism

and their attacks on women’s rights, the inflow of migrants and refugees, the

decrease in resources for gender equality mechanisms and policies, and failure

to implement agreed standards, have created new challenges and exacerbated

some of the problems that persist in society’s journey towards full respect for

equal rights for women and men and gender equality. It is also the case that it

is necessary to pay due attention to the establishment of social and economic

conditions for the exercise of equal rights by women and men, including by the

wider involvement of women in the economy and developing opportunities

for them to raise their economic independence.

The Council of Europe’s pioneering work in the fields of human rights

and gender equality has resulted in a solid legal and policy framework. Gender

equality is one of the priorities of the Organisation, which remains fully com-

mitted to addressing both current and emerging challenges and to removing

barriers in order to achieve substantive and full gender equality.

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In doing so, the Council of Europe will adopt a dual-track approach

including:

specific policies and actions, including positive action when appropriate,

in critical areas for the advancement of women for the realisation of de

facto gender equality, and

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the promotion, monitoring, co-ordination and evaluation of the process of

gender mainstreaming in all policies and programmes,

whereby gender

mainstreaming refers to the (re)organisation, improvement, development

and evaluation of policy processes, so that a gender equality perspective

is incorporated in all policies at all levels and at all stages, by the actors

normally involved in policy making.

Historically unequal power relations between women and men have led

to domination over, and discrimination against, women by men, and to the

prevention of the full advancement of women. However, both women and

men are victims of stereotypes restricting their full capabilities.

Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)17 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on

gender equality standards and mechanisms.

Council of Europe Group of Specialists in Gender Mainstreaming, 1998.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

The involvement of men and boys is critical to the achievement of gender

equality. Policies should also address gender-related inequalities that affect

men and boys.

The involvement of men and boys

is critical to the achievement

of gender equality.

Council of Europe Legal Instruments

The Council of Europe’s work in the fields of human rights and gender

equality has resulted in comprehensive legal instruments

and policy guidance

aimed at achieving the advancement and empowerment of women and the

effective realisation of gender equality in member States and beyond.

10. An impressive number of conventions and recommendations have been

adopted by the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of

the Council of Europe, guiding and influencing gender equality developments

in Europe and worldwide.

11. The European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention) is Europe’s

core human rights treaty: Article 1 of the Convention guarantees the rights and

freedoms it includes to everyone in the jurisdiction of the 47 member States of

the Council of Europe. The principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sex is

guaranteed by both Article 14 and Protocol 12 to the Convention. In addition,

the European Social Charter establishes enjoyment of economic and social

rights without discrimination. The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing

and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul

Convention) is widely recognised as the most comprehensive international

instrument to tackle violence against women and domestic violence in its

many forms. Furthermore, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against

References in this strategy to international treaties and other instruments should not be

considered as a commitment of member States, who supported this strategy, to imple-

ment the mentioned treaties unless they are parties to such treaties in accordance with

international law.

The Resolution and Action Plan adopted at the 7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers

Responsible for Equality between Women and Men, “Bridging the gap between

de jure

and

de facto

equality to achieve real gender equality” (25 May 2010, Baku, Azerbaijan);

and the Declaration of the Committee of Ministers “Making gender equality a reality”,

adopted in Madrid, Spain, on 12 May 2009.

Introduction: The Council of Europe and Gender Equality

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Trafficking in Human Beings aims at preventing and combating trafficking in

women, men and children for the purpose of sexual, labour or other types

of exploitation, and the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of

Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention),

is the first treaty to criminalise all forms of sexual offences against children.

12. The Committee of Ministers Recommendations and Parliamentary

Assembly Resolutions

related to gender equality cover a diversity of issues,

including combating sex-based discrimination, eliminating sexist language,

protecting women against violence, achieving a balanced participation of

women and men in political and public decision-making, mainstreaming

gender in education, in sport, in the media and in the audiovisual sector, pro-

viding gender equality standards and mechanisms, protecting and promoting

the rights of women and girls with disabilities, ensuring gender equality in

the media. They provide member States with crucial standards to develop

legislation and put in place policies at the national level that comply with

internationally agreed standards in the area of gender equality.

The Council of Europe Gender

Equality Strategy 2014-2017

13. The Council of Europe launched its first Transversal Programme on Gender

Equality in 2012 with the aim of increasing the impact and visibility of gender

equality instruments and supporting their implementation in member States

and within the Organisation itself. The Programme mobilises all of the Council

of Europe’s institutions, sectors, intergovernmental structures, monitoring

mechanisms and partial agreements as well as its external partners, and thus

brings resources together for greater impact, energy and focus. The Council

of Europe Gender Equality Commission (GEC) is at the centre of this effort.

14. The most tangible result of the Transversal Programme was the first

Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 (the Strategy) which was

unanimously adopted by the Committee of Ministers in November 2013. The

Strategy built upon the strengths, specificities and added value of the Council

of Europe and set the vision and a framework for the Council of Europe’s role

and action in the area of gender equality. The Strategy promotes a holistic and

integrated approach to gender equality and provides policy guidance and

support to Council of Europe member States, as well as internal institutional

bodies and mechanisms to tackle old and new challenges in implementing

standards in the area of gender equality.

See at: http://website-pace.net/fr/web/as-ega/main.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

15.

The Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 set five priority areas:

1) combating gender stereotypes and sexism;

2) preventing and combating violence against women;

3) guaranteeing equal access of women to justice;

4) achieving balanced participation of women and men in political and

public decision-making;

5) achieving gender mainstreaming in all policies and measures.

16. In the process of implementing the Strategy, the Council of Europe has

engaged in the promotion, monitoring and evaluation of standards – in order

to identify gaps and obstacles to their implementation – as well as in the devel-

opment of activities, tools and co-operation programmes to address such gaps

and support member States to apply relevant instruments. Another important

element of the Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 was to build and strengthen

strategic partnerships with other regional and international organisations, as

well as with civil society, aimed at ensuring synergies, strengthening impact

and increasing effectiveness, outreach and visibility.

17. Annual reports by the GEC to the Committee of Ministers on the imple-

mentation of the Strategy have confirmed the leading role of the Council of

Europe in the area of gender equality and its increasing authority both at

European and global level. Gender equality remains a priority area for suc-

cessive Chairmanships of the Committee of Ministers. Regular reporting and

monitoring have also confirmed that member States engage in a proactive

way in activities related to all five objectives of the Council of Europe Gender

Equality Strategy, and that national efforts have benefited from the initiatives

and tools developed under the guidance of the GEC. Co-operation with member

States is vital and has enabled the Strategy to harness the Council of Europe

standards with innovative initiatives and lessons learnt from experience at

the national level.

The new Council of Europe Gender

Equality Strategy 2018-2023

18. The new Strategy builds upon the vast legal and policy

acquis

of the

Council of Europe as regards gender equality, as well as the achievements of

the first Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017. It links them

to both the current economic context and the political leverage within the

Council of Europe, including the overarching priorities of the Organisation.

The new Strategy outlines the goals and priorities of the Council of Europe on

Introduction: The Council of Europe and Gender Equality

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gender equality for the years 2018-2023, identifying working methods and main

partners, as well as the measures required to increase the visibility of results.

19. The challenges faced by the Council of Europe member States in the

implementation of the Strategy 2014-2017 are related to developments in the

wider global and regional context, including a backlash against the human

rights of women, unequal power structures, the persistence of gender-based

violence, threats to women’s rights defenders, limited participation of women

in political and decision-making processes, gender bias and stereotypes, sexism

and discrimination against women including sexist hate speech online and

offline, and in the political discourse, access to quality employment and financial

resources, lack of social and economic infrastructure for the exercise of equal

rights by men and women (such as available childcare facilities, sufficiently

paid parental leave, parental payments, etc.). Last but not least, budgetary cuts

and austerity measures applied to gender equality authorities and bodies. The

implementation of gender equality laws and policies goes hand in hand with

the financial and human resources dedicated to that task. The strengthening

of institutional mechanisms for gender equality, at the national and local

level, and the availability of resources at all levels, are therefore critical and

will determine future progress to improve gender equality on the ground.

20. The Conference “Are we there yet? Assessing progress, inspiring action

– the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017”

took stock of

the implementation of the Strategy, and put forward a number of recom-

mendations for the preparation of the next Council of Europe gender equality

strategy, including the need to take account of progress and achievements,

as well as of emerging issues – such as migration and refugee flows.

21. Women in particular and also men are often subjected to discrimination

on several of the grounds listed in Article 14 of the European Convention for

Human Rights and expanded through related case-law of the European Court

of Human Rights. All forms of discrimination and identities need to be taken

into account so that both gender equality policies and “generic policies” are

The strengthening of institutional mechanisms

for gender equality will determine future

progress to improve gender equality.

30 June – 1 July 2016 in Tallinn (Estonia) http://www.coe.int/en/web/genderequality/

tallinn-conference

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

fully effective for all: women and men, girls and boys, in their diversity. The

new Strategy recognises the important challenge of ensuring that all women

benefit from gender equality policies and the protection provided by relevant

instruments, including disadvantaged groups of women (such as Roma women,

women with disabilities, migrant and refugee women)

. To that end, the new

Strategy also pays due attention to intersecting grounds of discrimination,

which reflects a shift in the debate from focus on multiple discrimination

towards including multiple identities and intersectionality.

Intersectional

discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation

or gender identity, among others, disproportionately marginalises particular

groups of women. Therefore, intersectionality is addressed as a transversal

issue across the priority objectives of the new Strategy.

22. Furthermore, discrimination on the ground of sex has a structural and

horizontal character that pervades all cultures and communities, at all levels.

Gender inequalities also “add up” during the course of a life, so that certain

disadvantages experienced in younger years accumulate throughout the life

cycle and can cause subsequent difficulties later in life. A life cycle approach

to gender equality policies is therefore necessary to capture this reality.

Intersectionality is addressed as a

transversal issue across the priority

objectives of the new Strategy.

23. The importance of addressing persistent gender gaps in employment,

pay, poverty, pensions and unbalanced share of household and care respon-

sibilities between women and men is recognised as a key factor towards

women’s economic independence in the new Strategy. Women’s economic

Member States may identify at national level any further disadvantaged and specific

groups of women which require targeted policies and measures.

“Certain groups of women, due to the combination of their sex with other factors, such as

their race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,

association with a national minority, property, birth or other status, are in an especially

vulnerable position. In addition to discrimination on the grounds of sex, these women

are often subjected simultaneously to one or several other types of discrimination”

(paragraph 59 of Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Recommendation CM/Rec

(2007)17 on gender equality standards and mechanisms).

“Multiple identity emphasises the existence of intersectional groups of people and

the importance of responding to their specific situation, experience and identity”

Innovating at the Intersections. Equality bodies tackling Intersectional Discrimination,

Equinet,

November 2016.

Introduction: The Council of Europe and Gender Equality

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independence and empowerment are prerequisites for gender equality and

for equitable and sustainable societies. Economic empowerment increases

women’s access to economic resources and opportunities including jobs,

services, property and skills and as a result, their contribution to economic

development and growth. Sustained policies and political commitment are

crucial to advance women’s economic opportunities and rights in accordance

with the European Social Charter.

24. The new Strategy also addresses the implications of equality between

women and men as regards dignity and rights, in public, private and family life.

The social significance of maternity and paternity leave and the role of both

parents in the upbringing of children and as carers of adult dependents must

be taken into consideration to ensure that both women’s and men’s human

rights are fully and equally respected. The equal sharing of unpaid household

and care work should be promoted to break down gender stereotypes, ensure

women’s and men’s work/life balance, and get closer to real gender equality.

25. The role of men, in both the public and private spheres, is critical to

make progress towards real gender equality. Men’s and boys’ participation and

responsibility as actors of change for gender equality are very important. Male

gender stereotypes need to be overcome in order to free men and boys from

the pressures of stereotyped expectations they face. As gender stereotypes

are pervasive and operate throughout time, a life-cycle approach is needed to

address the socialisation of men and boys in a wide range of social contexts:

at home, throughout the education system, in the workplace and the wider

economy, in the public space, in social media and networks, as well as in per-

sonal relationships. The inclusion of men is needed both as active partners

in the promotion of the human rights of women, as well as beneficiaries of

gender equality policies.

26. A strong commitment to

de facto

equality between women and men at all

levels and in all areas, alongside women’s empowerment and the elimination

of sexism and gender stereotypes, will benefit future generations and society

as a whole. Moving towards substantive gender equality also requires a change

in the roles of both women and men, including equal sharing of household

and care responsibilities.

27. The new Strategy will be implemented in a co-ordinated way with other

Council of Europe strategies and action plans, in particular in the fields of

children’s rights, internet governance, rights of persons with disabilities, the

inclusion of Roma and Travellers, and the protection of refugee and migrant

children in Europe.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

28. A biennial table indicating current, future and proposed activities (in

line with the budget cycle of the Council of Europe) will be attached to the

new Strategy to show the immediate link between the strategic objectives

and the specific measures and means used to achieve them.

Council of Europe in the global context:

UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

29.

The Council of Europe comprehensive and extensive body of instruments

and work provides important input towards the efforts of the member States

to achieve the

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

(UN SDGs). The

Council of Europe contributes to achieving the goals set in relevant interna-

tional instruments, such as the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms

of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action,

and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

30.

The Council of Europe has three ground-breaking, unique and compre-

hensive conventions in the area of human dignity that are all of relevance to

the SDGs:

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Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence

against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention);

Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human

Beings;

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against

Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention).

31.

These conventions have a global outreach. They were drafted with

the understanding that measures to address the global problems related to

gender-based violence, trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation

of children should not be limited to a particular geographic area. Their provi-

sions inspire normative and policy changes in all regions of the world and all

States can become parties to these conventions. For non-state parties, they

provide a comprehensive blueprint for action at both global and national

level. They can be used as reference frameworks and provide platforms for

international co-operation, review and exchange of experiences that offer

unique guidance in the design of national policies and legislation. Through

them, the Council of Europe and its member States can support and contribute

to the implementation of Goal 5 (“Achieve gender equality and empower all

women and girls”) and Goal 16 (“Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for

sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,

accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”).

Introduction: The Council of Europe and Gender Equality

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32.

The 14 indicators agreed upon at UN level to measure the implementa-

tion of the nine targets included in Goal 5 (gender equality) cover priority

areas of the Council of Europe work to achieve gender equality. The Council

of Europe’s Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017 and the new Strategy directly

address many of the targets of Goal 5, including human dignity and the fight

against gender inequality; the promotion of the full participation of women

in society; the need to guarantee access to fair justice systems for all and to

work in partnerships.

33.

Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) is also relevant to the

Council of Europe’s work on gender equality as it refers to providing “access

to justice for all”. The Council of Europe addresses this through its work to

guarantee women’s equal access to justice. Furthermore, Goal 16 includes

targets to reduce physical, psychological and sexual violence and related

deaths, and to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence

against girls and boys – areas covered by Council of Europe conventions and

addressed through activities and co-operation with the 47 member States

and the South-Mediterranean countries.

34.

Finally, gender equality-related targets under other SDGs are also relevant

for the new Strategy, in particular SDGs 1,

and 8.

10. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

11. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

12. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning oppor-

tunities for all.

13. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive

employment and decent work for all.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

GOAL AND

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

35. The overall goal of the new Strategy is to achieve the effective realisation

of gender equality and to empower women and men in the Council of Europe

member States, by supporting the implementation of existing instruments

and strengthening the Council of Europe

acquis

in the field of gender equality,

under the guidance of the Gender Equality Commission (GEC). The focus for

the period 2018-2023 will be on six strategic areas:

1) Prevent and combat gender stereotypes and sexism.

2) Prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence.

3) Ensure the equal access of women to justice.

4) Achieve a balanced participation of women and men in political and

public decision-making.

5) Protect the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women

and girls.

6) Achieve gender mainstreaming in all policies and measures.

36. These priority areas build on and further develop the existing body of

work carried out by the Council of Europe and the member States, bringing

added value to actions taken by other regional and international organisa-

tions. In addition, they will sustain the Council of Europe and member States’

activities in the field of gender equality in order to achieve tangible results

during the period covered by the new Strategy.

37. The beneficiaries of the new Strategy are women and men, girls and boys,

living in the 47 Council of Europe member States and society as a whole. The

governments of member States drive the implementation of the new Strategy

at national and local levels, in close co-operation with gender equality institu-

tions, equality bodies and civil society.

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Strategic objective 1: Prevent and combat

gender stereotypes and sexism

38. Gender stereotypes are preconceived social and cultural patterns or ideas

whereby women and men are assigned characteristics and roles determined

and limited by their sex. Gender stereotyping presents a serious obstacle to

the achievement of real gender equality and feeds into gender discrimina-

tion. Such stereotyping can limit the development of the natural talents and

abilities of girls and boys, women and men, their educational and professional

preferences and experiences, as well as life opportunities in general.

39. Gender stereotypes both result from and are the cause of deeply engrained

attitudes, values, norms and prejudices. They are used to justify and maintain

the historical power relations of men over women, as well as sexist attitudes

which are holding back the advancement of gender equality.

40. Violent and degrading online content, including in pornography, nor-

malisation of sexual violence, including rape, reinforce the idea of women’s

submissive role and contribute to treating women as subordinate members

of the family and society. They feed into violence against women, sexist hate

speech targeting women, particularly feminists, and contribute to maintaining

and reinforcing gender stereotypes and sexism.

41. Gender stereotypes and patriarchy negatively affect men and boys too.

Stereotypes about men and boys also result from, and are the cause of, deeply

engrained attitudes, values, norms and prejudices. Hegemonic masculinities

are a contributing factor to maintaining and reinforcing gender stereotypes,

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

which in turn contribute to sexist hate speech and prejudice against men and

boys who deviate from the predominant concepts of masculinity. Societal per-

ceptions and media portrayal can feed into gender stereotypes. This includes

perceptions about what both women and men should look like, how they

should behave, what careers they should pursue and what household tasks

they should take on.

Both women and men are

victims of stereotypes restricting

their full capabilities.

42. Structural inequalities and persisting gender stereotypes affecting

women and men, girls and boys continue to be present in the education and

childcare system and extend all the way to the labour market. Horizontal

segregation is evident in the labour market: certain occupations and fields of

economic activity have a strong male presence (e.g. science and technology,

heavy industry, construction, the army). Similarly, other areas of activity have

a predominantly female workforce (e.g. care services, education, secretarial

or office work, nursing or human resources– often with lower pay); a situation

which does not appear to be changing. Occupational choices of women, often

an extension of their traditional role as caretakers, can be influenced through

incentives and positive policy and legislative measures such as paternal leave,

thus creating opportunities for men to be(come) role models for other men

regarding “traditional” female occupations. Vertical segregation in the labour

market is also apparent. Within the same sector, even those dominated by

women, usually the higher positions in terms of salary and hierarchy are

occupied by men, while lower jobs on the hierarchical and salary scale are

mostly fulfilled by women (e.g. education, retail industry). This is to a large

extent due to the effects of the disproportionate weight of household and care

responsibilities on women, gender biases and stereotypes about education

and career choices, affecting both women and men.

43. Gender stereotypes perpetuate women’s economic and social mar-

ginalisation. They are disproportionately affected by unpaid household and

care responsibilities and low paid or informal work. Furthermore, women’s

average higher level of education in Europe, does not automatically translate

into equal pay and pensions, high-quality employment and equal access to

leading positions. Some groups of women (notably women with low levels

of qualifications, single mothers, migrant, Roma and ethnic minority women,

women with disabilities) face particular challenges, including enhanced diffi-

culty to join the labour market, higher levels of precariousness and related risks

Goal and Strategic objectives

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of poverty and social exclusion. Women’s economic empowerment requires

measures that support equal opportunities, equal pay for work of equal value,

abolition of discriminatory legislation and economic disincentives for women

to work, paid maternity and paternity leave, paid parental leave for women

and men, access to quality and affordable child care and other social services

and a change in the male-dominated working culture, attitudes and practices

influenced by gender stereotypes.

44. Media and social media play an important role in our lives, particularly

when used to share information and expand awareness of a wide range of

issues. However, evidence also shows that social media in particular are subject

to abusive use, and that women and girls are often confronted with violent

and sexualised threats online. Particular platforms acting as conveyers of sex-

ist hate speech include social media or video games. Freedom of expression

is often abused as an excuse to cover unacceptable and offensive behaviour.

In the same way as with other forms of violence against women, sexist hate

speech remains under-reported, but its impact on women, whether emotional,

psychological and/or physical can be devastating, especially for young girls

and women. The same occurs with sexism.

45.

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Council of Europe action in this area will seek to:

promote the implementation of Council of Europe instruments and

recommendations that target the eradication of prejudices, customs,

traditions based on stereotyped gender roles; develop tools to support

member States in implementing relevant instruments, including the

Istanbul Convention;

promote the implementation of recommendations from the Helsinki

Conference (2014) on “Combating Gender Stereotypes in and through

Education”;

promote the implementation of recommendations from the Amsterdam

Conference (2013) on “Media and the Image of Women”;

identify, compile and disseminate good practices to eradicate gender

stereotypes for girls and boys, women and men in the education system,

the labour market, family life – including equal sharing of household and

care responsibilities between women and men – leave schemes and all

areas in which women and men are under-represented;

support data collection and research on sexism, gender stereotypes and

sex-based discrimination;

build partnerships with relevant stakeholders to curb violent and degrad-

ing internet pornography, given its negative influence on gender relations,

harmful sexual practices and coercion;

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

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review the implementation of existing instruments by member States;

strive to remove gender stereotypes affecting one or more particular

group(s) of women (such as Roma women, women with disabilities,

migrant and refugee women) in co-operation with relevant sectors and

organisations;

address gender stereotypes affecting men and boys by engaging them

and working in specific sectors such as education, media and the private

sector;

continue to address sexist hate speech as a form of sexism, analyse and

monitor its impact, in co-operation with other relevant sectors of the

Council of Europe;

prepare a draft recommendation to prevent and combat sexism, includ-

ing guidelines to prevent and combat it online and offline, covering new

forms of sexism affecting women and men in private and public spaces,

and addressing sexist language (Committee of Ministers Recommendation

No. R (90) 4 on the elimination of sexism from language), sexist hate

speech, sexism in media and in advertising;

review the implementation of Committee of Ministers Recommendation

No. R (96) 51 on reconciling work and family life, and consider updating it;

support actions to promote equal economic independence for women

and men and remove obstacles to women’s labour market participation;

encourage more men to take on caring responsibilities and to make use

of flexible working arrangements and other family friendly measures.

Goal and Strategic objectives

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Strategic objective 2: Prevent and combat violence

against women and domestic violence

46. Violence against women and domestic violence remains widespread in

all member States of the Council of Europe, with devastating consequences

for women, societies and economies. The Council of Europe Convention on

Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

(Istanbul Convention) is widely recognised as the most comprehensive

international treaty to tackle this serious violation of the human rights of

women. Important safeguards are also set out in the European Convention

on Human Rights and related case-law, the Council of Europe Convention

on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

(Lanzarote Convention,) and the Council of Europe Convention on Action

against Trafficking in Human Beings.

47. The Istanbul Convention has led to positive changes in legislation and

in the development of strategies to prevent and combat violence against

women and domestic violence in many member States. However, a number

of significant challenges persist in developing policies and actions to address

The Istanbul Convention has led to

positive changes in legislation and in the

development of strategies to prevent

and combat violence against women and

domestic violence in many member States.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

violence against women and girls, including the limited resources available

to provide specialist and dedicated support services to all women victims of

violence.

In addition, the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised groups of

women such as women migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, women drug

users, women with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, Roma

women

require targeted policies and activities to address the violence they

are confronted with.

Significant challenges persist to

properly address this violence.

48. Violence often has devastating short- and long-term mental and physi-

cal health consequences, at times persisting across generations. The Istanbul

Convention defines “domestic violence” as all acts of physical, sexual, psycho-

logical or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit, or

between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator

shares or has shared the same residence with the victim. Domestic violence

affects women disproportionally, but also touches other victims, therefore the

Istanbul Convention encourages parties to apply its provisions to all victims of

domestic violence, including women and girls, men and boys and the elderly.

49. Violence against girls and boys constitutes a violation of their rights,

compromising their social development and affecting the enjoyment of their

other rights. Ending violence against children is therefore a legal, ethical and

economic imperative. The gendered nature of risk and vulnerability among

children at risk of violence needs to be acknowledged and addressed.

50. Violence and sexual harassment of women in public space are strongly

condemned by the Istanbul Convention. Violence in crowds represents another

dimension of violence against women and is a wide-spread problem. The

feeling of fear and insecurity in public spaces, as well as in public transport,

has severe impacts on the daily lives of women. Often women do not dare to

lodge a complaint for fear of the incident being trivialised. The tacit approval

of sexual violence and harassment of women in public space restricts women´s

freedom and contributes to perpetuating the attackers’ impunity. Therefore,

14. See “Analytical study of the results of the 4th round of monitoring the implementation of

Recommendation Rec(2002)5 on the protection of women against violence in Council of

Europe member States” (March 2014).

15. Member States may identify at national level any further disadvantaged and specific

groups of women which require targeted policies and measures.

16. Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021).

Goal and Strategic objectives

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attacks on women in public space should be reported and call for a compre-

hensive response.

51.

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Council of Europe action in this area will seek to:

support member States to implement relevant international instru-

ments including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of

Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), taking into account the General

Recommendation No. 35 on gender-based violence against women,

updating general recommendation No. 19, as well as SDGs 5 and 16;

support member States that request it in their preparation for signature,

ratification and implementation of the Istanbul, Anti-Trafficking and

Lanzarote Conventions, including through the provision of technical

and legal expertise;

develop tools to promote the knowledge of the Istanbul, Anti-Trafficking

and Lanzarote Conventions among non-state actors in order to encourage

their contribution to its implementation, highlighting the link between

violence against women and the historic unequal power relations between

women and men in society;

in line with the Istanbul Convention, take action to:

– address sexual violence and harassment of women in public space;

– support member States to take measures that address all forms of

violence;

–

address the ability of victims of domestic violence to seek shelter

and housing as a protection measure;

–

support the development of data collection on violence against

women and domestic violence;

–

support the setting up and development of co-ordinating bodies

at the national level, and promote and support the development of

national strategies to prevent and combat violence against women

and domestic violence;

– address violence against elderly women and men;

– develop tools to address the need to prevent and combat domestic

violence against men and boys;

–

address the role of men as perpetrators of gender-based violence and

develop information tools on the role of men in preventing violence

against women and girls;

gather information and build knowledge about the specific forms of

violence faced by certain groups of women in vulnerable situations (such

as older women, women with diverse sexual orientations and gender

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

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identities, marginalised women, migrant women, women with disabilities,

young women and girls, homeless women, women drug users, or victims

of human trafficking) through cooperation and exchange of information

with relevant bodies and entities of the Council of Europe;

develop activities to prevent and combat additional forms of violence

against women such as political violence and social violence;

promote the Istanbul, Anti-Trafficking and Lanzarote Conventions beyond

the European continent, making available expertise and sharing good

practices in the context of co-operation with non-member States and

other regional and international organisations.

Goal and Strategic objectives

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Strategic objective 3:

Ensure the equal access of women to justice

52. Access to justice is a human right and an integral element of promoting

the rule of law and a well-functioning democracy. Respect for and protection of

human rights can only be guaranteed by the availability of effective remedies

(including the right to a fair trial), adequate reparation and/or compensation.

While accessing justice may be difficult for everyone, it is even more so for

women, due to gender inequality in society and in the justice system. Persistent

economic and social inequalities between women and men, gender bias and

gender stereotypes result in unequal access of women and men to justice.

Evidence also points to the existence of a glass ceiling in the judiciary.

Respect for and protection of human

rights can only be guaranteed by the

availability of effective remedies.

53. Equal access to justice implies the right to an effective remedy, the right

to a fair trial, the right to equal access to the courts, and the right to legal aid

and legal representation. There are a multitude of obstacles that prevent

women from having equal access to justice: taboos, prejudices, gender ste-

reotypes, customs, poverty, lack of information, gaps in legislation and in their

implementation, and sometimes even the laws themselves. This is particularly

17. Council of Europe European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice, “European Judicial

Systems - Efficiency and quality of justice” CEPEJ Studies No. 23, Edition 2016 (2014 data).

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

true for some groups of women, notably victims of gender-based violence,

migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, ethnic minority women, Roma

women, women with disabilities and elderly women.

Equal access to justice is fundamental to

ensuring real equality between women and men.

54. Cultural barriers, fear and shame also impact women’s access to justice,

as do discriminatory attitudes and the stereotypical roles of women as carers

and men as providers, which still persist in civil and family law in many jurisdic-

tions. These barriers may persist during investigations and trials, especially in

cases of gender-based violence, and lead to high levels of attrition and even

under-reporting. Their impact is even more significant on women exposed to

multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination.

55. Taken together, all these barriers are pieces in a ‘justice jigsaw’ that

exclude women. It is urgent that this gender imbalance is addressed, as equal

access to justice is fundamental to ensuring real equality between women

and men.

56.

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Council of Europe action in this area will seek to:

support member States to implement Council of Europe and other rel-

evant instruments, including SDG 16 and taking into account CEDAW’s

General Recommendation No. 33 on women’s access to justice (2015);

►

promote and support the implementation of the recommendations

from the Bern Conference (2016) “Towards guaranteeing equal access

of women to justice”;

identify, compile and disseminate good practices from member States

to reduce obstacles and facilitate women’s access to justice;

►

encourage research and standardised data collection to tackle gaps and

lack of data disaggregated by sex concerning women’s access to justice,

including women’s participation in the judiciary;

continue to address the harmful impact of gender stereotyping on judicial

decision-making, in accordance with the Council of Europe Action Plan

on Judicial Independence and Impartiality for 2016-2021 (Action 2.4)

– through research, monitoring, training, education, capacity building

and the promotion of good practices at the national level, in line with

the instruments of the Council of Europe and international law, and in

co-operation with other regional and international organisations;

Goal and Strategic objectives

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develop and disseminate training tools and materials on gender equality

issues and the human rights of women, in the context of international

conventions and legal frameworks including CEDAW and the Istanbul

Convention and tailored to the needs of justice professionals and mem-

bers of law enforcement bodies;

monitor and follow up court decisions to raise awareness and ensure

a better understanding among legal professionals of issues related to

women’s access to justice, including judicial stereotypes and the protec-

tion against gender-based violence and discrimination;

promote the work and the strengthening of national equality bodies to

combat sex-based discrimination and promote gender equality, includ-

ing through litigation;

identify and disseminate existing victim support tools and good practices

to empower women in the process of accessing justice;

develop information tools about the main Council of Europe instruments

to promote women’s access to justice taking into account the needs of

women in particularly vulnerable situations, such as survivors of violence,

migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, targets of sexist hate

speech, and Roma women.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Strategic objective 4: Achieve balanced participation of

women and men in political and public decision-making

57. Balanced participation of women and men in political and public decision-

making is essential for a well-functioning democracy. Despite the adoption

of new laws and policies in many member States and examples of good

practice and supportive measures in some of the member States, women’s

under-representation in public and political life remains a critical issue which

undermines the full functioning of democratic institutions and processes.

Political activities and public decision-making remain male-dominated areas.

Men set political priorities, and political culture continues to be structured

around male behaviour and life experience.

58. A number of obstacles make it difficult for women to enter and ensure

sustainability of their participation in the area of political and public decision-

making. These include electoral systems, the functioning of political parties,

gender stereotypes, roles and values conveyed by some family models, and

the social and private division of work which leaves little space for the par-

ticipation of women in the public arena. In most member States, the full and

equal participation of women in political and public life, in legislative, execu-

tive, judicial, diplomatic and administrative bodies at the local, regional and

Women’s under-representation in public and

political life undermines the functioning of

democratic institutions and processes.

Goal and Strategic objectives

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national level is still below the Council of Europe agreed standards and the

governments’ commitment for a “Planet 50-50 by 2030”.

59. Multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, culture and stereo-

types can refrain women from having full and equal access to all levels of

management and decision-making processes, including corporate boards.

The gender imbalance in economic decision-making both within the public

and the private sectors is an obstacle to women’s empowerment and a barrier

for economic growth and sustainable development.

60. Women should have equal power and influence over the formulation of

political agendas and priorities. To achieve the full participation of women in

public, private and political life requires fundamental changes, policies, mea-

sures and targeted actions to remove both societal and structural obstacles.

Full participation of women in public, private

and political life requires fundamental changes.

61.

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Council of Europe action in this area will seek to:

support member States in achieving balanced participation of women

and men in political and public decision-making including through the

implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies and policies;

review the effectiveness of Recommendation

Rec(2003)3

of the Committee

of Ministers on balanced participation of women and men in political

and public decision-making;

continue the regular monitoring of the implementation by member

States of Recommendation

Rec(2003)3

of the Committee of Ministers

on balanced participation of women and men in political and public

decision-making, and ensure the visibility and dissemination of data

and good practices in member States;

encourage and support actions to facilitate women’s participation in

elections at the national, regional and local levels as well as actions

to empower both women candidates and elected officials – including

women from marginalised groups – in co-operation with relevant bodies

of the Council of Europe;

18. “Planet

50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”

was launched by the United Nations

on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2015. It showcases national actions pledged

to achieve gender equality by 2030. See at http://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/

step-it-up

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

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identify and support measures and good practices that promote gender

equality in relation to: electoral systems, training of decision makers in

both public institutions and political parties, gender-sensitive functioning

of decision-making bodies, setting parity thresholds, adoption of effective

quota laws and voluntary party quotas, and the regulation of political

parties including public funding, in co-operation with relevant bodies

of the Council of Europe and with a view to achieving gender balance

in decision making, combating gender stereotypes and to improve the

gender-sensitiveness of decision-making environments;

achieve a balanced participation of women and men in all Council of

Europe bodies, institutions and decision-making processes.

Goal and Strategic objectives

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Strategic objective 5: Protect the rights of migrant,

refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls

62. The growing number of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women,

and the precarious situation in which they are, raise concerns about their

personal, physical and sexual safety and security – especially when they travel

on their own, are pregnant, with small children, or are subject to intersectional

discrimination. Many migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and

girls have been exposed to various forms of gender-based violence, either

in their country of origin, during the journey to Europe, or upon arrival. Due

consideration should be given to their needs and circumstances and gender-

responsive measures should be adopted to prevent discrimination, violence,

harassment, trafficking and other forms of exploitation and abuse – including

in times of crisis and natural disasters. In addition, measures need to be taken

to ensure that migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women have access to

their human and social rights in relation to individual freedom, employment,

housing, health, education, social protection and welfare where applicable;

and access to information about their rights and the services available.

63. Victims of trafficking and gender-based violence among migrant, refu-

gee and asylum-seekers need to be promptly identified as such and provided

with adequate and gender-sensitive protection, treatment and care. Particular

attention needs to be provided to girls and boys in this context.

64. Council of Europe and other international instruments should serve as

a blueprint for all efforts and measures undertaken by the member States to

protect the human rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women. In

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Due consideration should be given to the

needs and circumstances migrant, refugee

and asylum-seeking women and girls.

particular, the Istanbul Convention, the Convention on Action against Trafficking

in Human Beings, the Lanzarote Convention, and the 1951 International

Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, as well as relevant resolutions

and reports of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on protect-

ing refugee women and girls from gender-based violence and migration from

a gender equality perspective, should be at the heart of efforts to protect and

promote the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women, girls and

boys, including ensuring that culture, custom, tradition or so called ‘honour’

are not considered as justification for any acts of violence, negative social con-

trol, or any violation of their human rights, as provided by these conventions.

65. It is highly important to mainstream gender equality in all integration

measures, so that both migrant women and men are aware of the need to

respect and uphold gender equality law and policy, even if they do not corre-

spond to the situation in their countries of origin. This would foster integration

in European societies and labour markets and benefit all women and men,

girls and boys. This work should be part of a general effort to make gender

equality a norm accepted by both women and men in every society.

66.

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Council of Europe action in this area will seek to:

support member States to implement Council of Europe and other rel-

evant instruments, including the Organisation’s Action Plan on Protecting

Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe, taking into account CEDAW’s

General Recommendation No. 32 on the gender-related dimensions

of refugee status, asylum, nationality and statelessness of women, and

the SDGs;

support the systematic integration of a gender equality dimension in

policies and measures regarding migration, asylum and integration, in

order to secure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrant,

refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, men and boys, regardless

of traditional or cultural attitudes;

support the implementation of existing standards aimed at preventing

migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and children from falling

victim to gender-based violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, exploita-

tion and negative social control, including by addressing these risks

through adequate identification, reporting and referral mechanisms at

the national level. The vulnerability of women accompanying minors

Goal and Strategic objectives

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should be acknowledged to ensure that appropriate care and support

are available to these women and children;

develop tools to support the appropriate treatment of migrant, refugee

and asylum-seeking women and children victims of violence, having

regard to the measures included in the Istanbul, Anti-Trafficking and

Lanzarote Conventions;

encourage the economic empowerment and respect for the social rights

of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, in particular

with regards to employment, health, housing and education and address

the multiple discrimination that they may be confronted with;

update Recommendation No. R (79) 10 of the Committee of Ministers

to member States concerning women migrants, and regularly review

its implementation;

support member States in the preparation and dissemination of informa-

tion documents in different languages (such as factsheets) on the main

Council of Europe instruments to protect the human rights of migrant,

refugee and asylum-seeking women and men, including information

on the support structures, services, NGOs and legal aid available in their

residing country. Specific factsheets should be prepared for women

victims of violence;

encourage independent Council of Europe monitoring mechanisms to

address the gender-specific needs of migrant, refugee and asylum-seekers,

including girls and boys, into their monitoring work, where applicable,

and to make recommendations in this regard;

promote actions targeting men and boys in order to change stereotypical

norms and practices for the advancement of gender equality benefiting

both women and men.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Strategic objective 6: Achieve gender

mainstreaming in all policies and measures

67. Council of Europe instruments on gender mainstreaming laid the foun-

dations for important work in this area in Europe and beyond, including the

reference definition of the term. The Committee of Ministers has adopted a

number of recommendations on gender mainstreaming in different fields,

including education, the media, sport and the audiovisual sector.

By adopt-

ing a gender mainstreaming approach in all policies and measures, alongside

specific policies for the advancement of women, the Council of Europe will

ensure that new initiatives and standards are gender sensitive, and therefore

result in better informed policy-making, better allocation of resources and bet-

ter governance and ultimately contribute to the realisation of gender equality.

68. Many member States are also actively promoting the implementation

of gender mainstreaming in their national policies and measures through

action plans and institutional structures to co-ordinate gender mainstream-

ing efforts, gender budgeting policies, and relevant training for government

Gender mainstreaming leads to better

informed policy-making, better allocation

of resources and better governance.

19. Recommendation No. R(98)14 on gender mainstreaming; Recommendation CM/Rec(2007)13

on gender mainstreaming in education; Recommendation CM/Rec(2008)1 on the inclu-

sion of gender differences in health policy; Recommendation CM/Rec(2013)1 on gender

equality and media; Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)2 on gender mainstreaming in sport;

and Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)9 on gender equality in the audiovisual sector.

Goal and Strategic objectives

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officials. An evaluation of the implementation of gender mainstreaming activi-

ties should be carried out on a regular basis at national level, to assess the

remaining challenges in this area. Where available, ensure co-operation with

Council of Europe country offices which play an important role in providing

gender analysis and mainstreaming gender equality in the development of

co-operation programmes, projects and activities.

69. In 2014-2017, co-operation and synergies were reinforced in the various

Council of Europe institutions, steering committees, monitoring mechanisms

and partial agreements to introduce a gender equality perspective in many

Council of Europe policies and at all levels. Over 50 Gender Equality Rapporteurs

(GERs) have been appointed in steering committees, other institutional bod-

ies, as well as monitoring mechanisms. They lead efforts to integrate a gender

equality dimension into their work and activities.

70. The Council of Europe will continue to strive to achieve gender main-

streaming in all its policy areas:

►

the development, implementation and evaluation of co-operation activi-

ties, based on country specific and thematic action plans and other co-

operation documents, and, taking into account the recommendations

of the evaluation on gender mainstreaming in co-operation undertaken

by the Directorate of Internal Oversight;

►

the policy, programming and budgetary processes and the functioning

of the various bodies and institutions, in particular through the mobilisa-

tion and contribution of:

–

the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress

of Local and Regional Authorities, the European Court of Human Rights,

the Commissioner for Human Rights and the Conference of INGOs;

– the steering committees and other intergovernmental bodies;

– the monitoring mechanisms;

– partial agreements.

by:

►

supporting policy analysis that are grounded on the particular situation

of different groups of women and men, girls and boys, and their gender

The Council of Europe will continue

to strive to achieve gender

mainstreaming in all its policy areas.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

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specific needs, as well as on the estimated impact of new policies and

measures on them, and taking account of the findings in policy making;

providing targeted training on gender equality and gender mainstream-

ing and producing related materials and tools, in particular by providing

Council of Europe staff with guidance and tools on how to mainstream

gender equality in their work and activities, including in the development,

implementation and evaluation of co-operation activities;

encouraging the different Council of Europe sectors to address the

need for sex-disaggregated data in standard-setting, monitoring and

co-operation activities;

taking due care to involve all relevant actors, including gender equality

experts and civil society, as appropriate;

compiling and reviewing information on national gender equality mecha-

nisms and other institutional frameworks for gender mainstreaming;

identifying and disseminating good practices from the member States,

Council of Europe and other regional or international organisations, on

gender mainstreaming, including gender budgeting.

71. Training and support for GERs and Secretariat members working with

them will be continued, as well as the production of supporting policy tools,

the development of indicators to assess progress, the provision of expertise,

facilitating networking and the exchange of information and good practice

Goal and Strategic objectives

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both within the Organisation and with relevant national and international

partners.

72. The Council of Europe will also continue to actively promote strong and

efficient gender equality mechanisms and gender mainstreaming in member

States through the promotion of existing standards, and by gathering informa-

tion and disseminating good practices from member States.

73. The Council of Europe will continue its work to mainstream gender

equality in its staff policies, including tools and indicators to measure and

assess progress.

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

INSTITUTIONAL SETTING,

RESOURCES AND

WORKING METHODS

74. The transversal nature of the gender equality programme presup-

poses that all Council of Europe institutions (the Parliamentary Assembly, the

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the European Court of Human

Rights), decision-making, advisory and monitoring bodies, as well as human

resources policies, should support and actively contribute to the achievement

of the goal and strategic objectives of the new gender equality Strategy. They

are invited to take initiatives within their respective mandates and resources.

To stimulate and facilitate this process, the following elements complete the

Council of Europe institutional setting for gender equality:

75. The

Gender Equality Commission (GEC)

is a Council of Europe Steering

Committee composed of representatives of the 47 member States. The mission

of the GEC is to steer the Gender Equality Transversal Programme, advise and

involve its various components, as well as liaise with relevant intergovernmental

bodies, providing expertise and a forum for exchange on good practices and

issues of concern.

76. The

Gender Equality Rapporteurs (GERs)

appointed within intergov-

ernmental bodies and other Council of Europe structures (see above) work to

identify ways to integrate a gender equality perspective in the functioning,

policies, programmes and activities of their respective body or structure. In

co-operation with the GEC, they identify opportunities to develop new mea-

sures and activities to promote gender equality.

77. The

Gender Mainstreaming Team (GMT)

is a group of Council of Europe

staff members serving in the various sectors and bodies of the Organisation.

Its task is to share information and expertise, provide visibility to results,

identify opportunities for joint action and make proposals to facilitate the

implementation of the Gender Equality Transversal Programme, including the

new Strategy. The Gender Equality Unit convenes and chairs the meetings of

the GMT.

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78. In order to assess progress in the implementation of the Strategy, the

GEC regularly takes stock of results achieved and prepares an

annual report

on its implementation, which is submitted to the Committee of Ministers. A

final review of the implementation of the Strategy will be undertaken to assess

its impact.

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PARTNERSHIPS

79. The Council of Europe places great importance in maintaining strategic

partnerships with other regional and international organisations and civil

society working for the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights. All

the main international partners of the Council of Europe (United Nations (UN),

European Union (EU), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

(OSCE), Organization of American States (OAS)) have adopted Gender Equality

Strategies or Action Plans. This provides a sound basis for partnerships and

institutionalised co-operation, enabling the identification of opportunities

for joint action, complementarity and synergy.

80. The Council of Europe has a number of institutional agreements with

other international organisations, including the EU,

the OSCE,

UN Women,

the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),

the OAS,

and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

They are therefore invited to contribute to the implementation of this new

Strategy, as appropriate, in particular by holding regular consultations with

the Council of Europe, participating in meetings and events and co-operating

in joint initiatives. The Council of Europe will seek to reinforce its co-operation

with other UN agencies and bodies (in particular the Committee on the

Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the

Commission for the Status of Women (CSW), UN Global Compact, the United

Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the United

Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)) and other

international organisations (such as the World Bank and the International

Organisation of La Francophonie). Co-operation will in particular seek to support

20. Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Europe and the European Union

(May 2007).

21. Declaration on Co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Organization for

Security and Co-operation in Europe (May 2005).

22. Exchange of letters between the Council of Europe and UN Women on the promotion

of implementation of international standards on gender equality and violence against

women (February 2012).

23. Joint Declaration on the Reinforcement of Co-operation between the Council of Europe

Secretariat and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

(September 2013).

24. Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat General of the Council of Europe

and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (September 2011).

25. Arrangement between the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Economic

Co-operation and Development, concluded by exchange of letters (September 1961

and January 1962).

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member States and the international community at large in their efforts to

implement both the Beijing Platform for Action and the UN 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development, by meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

81. The Gender Equality Transversal Programme also seeks to involve,

engage and use the experience and expertise of civil society organisations, in

particular those specialising in women’s rights and gender equality issues, in

the development, implementation and assessment of policies, programmes

and activities.

82. Other natural partners in the implementation of the gender equality

Strategy include:

►

parliaments;

►

national governments;

►

local and regional authorities and their associations;

►

gender equality bodies;

►

human rights institutions;

►

professional networks (in particular in the fields of justice, journalism,

education, health and social services);

►

trade unions and employers’ associations;

►

the media;

►

the private sector.

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COMMUNICATION

83.

►

Work in this area will continue to seek to:

increase the visibility of Council of Europe standards, studies, guidelines,

projects, events and their results in the area of gender equality;

raise awareness on gender equality issues and contribute towards chang-

ing attitudes, mentalities and behaviours;

facilitate the exchange of information between the various components

of the programme and with partners;

give visibility to good practices and data collected at national, regional

and local level.

►

Page

APPENDIX I –

RISK MANAGEMENT

AND NATIONAL

IMPLEMENTATION

Numerous general challenges and barriers will continue to affect the realisa-

tion of

de facto

equality between women and men. Those are due to the cur-

rent economic and political context, structural historically grounded barriers

related to the unequal division of power and resources between women and

men and persisting gender stereotypes embedded in the functioning of most

public and private institutions, legal frameworks and mentalities. The lack of

political commitment leading,

inter alia,

to the weak implementation of exist-

ing standards and to insufficient financial and human resources, is another

general risk factor that applies to all priority areas.

In the 2018-2023 Strategy document, each priority area has a

risk analysis

table

attached to it. The table states the

expected impact

or ultimate goal

at beneficiary level for each priority area. This can be reached in many differ-

ent ways, in accordance with developments and structures at national and

local levels.

The risk analysis tables present

some general examples

of possible:

►

risk factors

that could negatively affect the achievement of the outcomes

at the level of the member States,

►

mitigating actions

to counter such risk factors,

►

outcomes

as steps towards the expected impact.

The examples are indicative and do not cover all possible options available

at national and local levels. Other examples, as well as specific actions and

activities (outputs) will be examined in detail during the implementation of

the Strategy

at national and local levels

on the basis of

strategies, action

plans, indicators and other relevant policy documents and standards.

In addition to the activities undertaken at national and local levels by the

member States and other stakeholders,

a biennial work plan

with a selection

of actions and activities (outputs) to be undertaken by the Council of Europe,

in co-operation with the member States, will be prepared.

►

Page

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 1

Prevent and combat gender stereotypes and sexism

Expected Impact

Gender stereotypes and sexism are eliminated in all areas of life

Risks

Mitigating Actions

Outcome

- Recognition by all member

states and relevant

actors of the need and

benefits to achieve

facto

gender equality.

- Full implementation

of relevant standards

in member states.

- Changes in legislation

and policies to implement

relevant standards in

member states.

- Legislation and policies

are changed to eliminate

gender stereotypes and

sexism in the education,

media and ICT sectors.

- Realistic portrayal of

women and men in the

media, including social

media, in member states.

- The media and ICTs

contribute to gender

equality outcomes and

women and girls are

empowered to make

use of the full potential

of these sectors.

Gender stereotypes - Strong positioning and

networking towards the

and sexism prevail

implementation of Council

and are reinforced

of Europe standards.

by the current

backlash on

- Adoption and

women’s rights.

dissemination of new

standards to prevent

and combat sexism.

- Awareness raising on

existing standards

and on the situation

regarding gender

equality in the region.

Gender stereotypes - Targeting relevant actors,

including the private

and sexism are

sector for awareness

reinforced by

raising activities.

the inadequate

portrayal of women

- Promotion of relevant

in media, by the

standards regarding gen-

negative role

der stereotypes in the

of Information

media and in education.

Communication

Technologies (ICTs) - Identification and

and by lack of

promotion of good

action regarding

practices regarding

education policies.

the media, ICTs and

education policies.

Page

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 2

Prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence

Expected Impact

Women are free from violence, exploitation and abuse;

women have full access to appropriate prevention, protection,

prosecution and support services

Risks

Violence against

women and domestic

violence remain

invisible, taboo and

under-reported.

Mitigating Actions

Outcome

- Ratification and

- Awareness raising and

implementation of the

training on recognising,

Istanbul Convention

preventing and reporting

different forms of violence by member States.

against women and

- Member States revise

domestic violence.

policies and practices

to fully comply with

- Dissemination of

the requirements of the

information regarding the

Istanbul Convention.

scale of the phenomena.

- Relevant actors are

sensitised and contribute

to the elimination

of violence against

women and domestic

violence (media, private

sector, education

sector, justice sector).

- Member States ratify

and implement the

Council of Europe

Anti-trafficking and

Lanzarote Conventions

Appendix I – Risk management and national implementation

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Page

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 2

Prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence

Expected Impact

Women are free from violence, exploitation and abuse;

women have full access to appropriate prevention, protection,

prosecution and support services

Risks

Claims of violence

against women and

domestic violence are

not taken seriously

or understood by

law enforcement

authorities, the

media and family

members and victims

are not protected.

Mitigating Actions

- Gender-sensitive

awareness raising

activities on preven-

tion and protection.

- Preparation and dis-

semination of training

tools targeted at rel-

evant stakeholders.

- Training of relevant

stakeholders

- Dissemination of informa-

tion regarding good and

promising practices

Outcome

- Relevant stakeholders

are aware of obstacles,

processes and legislation

related to violence against

women and domestic

violence and able to act

accordingly to protect.

- Adequate support

services, protection

and redress are guaran-

teed to women con-

fronted with violence

in member states.

- Enhanced protection

from violence for groups

of women and girls in

vulnerable situations,

and for men and boys.

- Uniform enjoyment of

rights guaranteed by the

Istanbul Convention.

- Awareness raising

Some groups

about the specific

confronted with

forms of violence by

gender-based

which different groups

violence, such as for

example, older women are confronted.

or men, migrant

- Development of spe-

women and girls, men

cific tools, training

and boys, persons

and policy documents

with disabilities,

adapted to the needs

are not duly taken

of different groups.

into account in

relevant policies.

Page

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 3

Ensure the equal access of women to justice

Expected Impact

Women enjoy equal access to justice

Risks

Lack of

knowledge and

resistance to

action on the

issue of women’s

access to justice.

Mitigating Actions

- Awareness raising on the

importance of ensuring

equal access of women to

justice to promote human

rights and the rule of law.

- Encouraging the collection

and dissemination of

data and of information

regarding women’s

access to justice and

women in the judiciary.

- Preparation and

dissemination of

training tools regarding

women’s access to justice

adapted to the needs of

relevant stakeholders.

- Identification and

dissemination of good

practice and promising

policies on women’s

equal access to justice.

Outcome

- Better knowledge of the

situation regarding women’s

access to justice, including

for groups of women in

vulnerable situations.

- Changes in legislation

and practices in member

states to better respond

to women’s needs

and situations.

- Women’s rights to equal

access to justice and to a fair

trial are ensured, including

for groups of women in

vulnerable situations.

- Legislation, policies and

practices are changed

in member states to

ensure gender friendly

justice systems.

- Justice systems in member

states are free from

gender bias and from

judicial stereotyping.

Persistence of

discrimination

against women

and of gender

stereotypes in the

justice system.

Appendix I – Risk management and national implementation

►

Page

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 4

Achieve a balanced participation of women and men in

political and public decision-making

Expected Impact

Women and men participate equally in political and

public decision-making

Risks

Insufficient steps

are taken to move

beyond the current

level of progress

in the area.

Mitigating Actions

- Review of existing

standards and monitoring

their implementation.

- Awareness raising and

information campaigns

about successful policies

and implementation

of standards.

- Identification and

dissemination of good

and promising practices.

Outcome

- Targeted measures are

taken in member states

to address particular

levels or areas where

progress is slow.

- Relevant standards

are implemented in

member States.

- Stronger legislation and

policies are implemented

in member states aiming

at achieving parity.

- Steps are taken to

better integrate the

issue of balanced

participation of women

and men in all aspects

of policies related to

democratic governance

in member States.

- A comprehensive

approach combining

policy and legislative

measures with data

collection, awareness

raising, good practice

examples and education,

to facilitate gender

balance in decision

making is implemented

in member States.

Resistance to change

prevents progress

towards the gender

sensitiveness

of institutions

and decision-

making bodies.

- Awareness raising and

information activities

regarding the need for and

benefits of gender balance

in decision-making.

- Promotion of measures

targeting different

actors who play a role

in promoting gender

balance in decision

making in different areas

(the judiciary, political

parties, training men).

- Stronger focus on

supporting measures

related to balance in

decision-making (e.g.

conciliation of family and

working life, role of media).

Page

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 5

Protect the rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women

and girls

Expected Impact

The rights of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking

women and girls are protected

Risks

Policies related

to migration,

integration and

asylum continue to

be gender blind.

Mitigating Actions

- Review and improve

standards related to

the rights of migrant,

refugee and asylum

seeking women.

- Provide advice regarding

the definition and

implementation of

gender-sensitive migration,

integration and asylum.

- Identify and disseminate

good and promising

practices regarding

the integration and

economic empowerment

of migrant, refugee and

asylum seeking women.

Outcome

- Changes in legislation

and policies to include

the needs and situation

of migrant, refugee and

asylum seeking women are

made in member States.

- Processes and policies

pertaining to migration,

integration and asylum

include a gender

equality perspective

in member States.

- Migrant, refugee and

asylum seeking women are

economically independent

in member states and fully

enjoy their social rights.

- Relevant instruments in

- Develop tools (such as

Lack of adequate

particular the Istanbul

guidelines) to ensure

and effective

Convention as well as

appropriate protection

means of

the Anti-trafficking and

of migrant, refugee and

protection and

asylum seeking women and Lanzarote Conventions are

assistance for

ratified and implemented

girls victims of violence.

migrant, refugee

by member States.

and asylum seeking

- Develop awareness-

women and girls

- Migrant, refugee and

raising tools (such

confronted with

asylum seeking women

as factsheets) on the

different forms

and girls confronted with

standards promoting the

of violence.

violence have access to

human rights of migrant,

appropriate prevention,

refugee and asylum

protection, prosecution

seeking women and girls.

and support services.

Appendix I – Risk management and national implementation

►

Page

Risk Analysis

Strategic Objective 6

Achieve gender mainstreaming in all policies and measures

Expected Impact

A gender equality perspective is integrated in all policies

and measures

Risks

Lack of full

understanding

and knowledge

of gender

mainstreaming.

Mitigating Actions

- Dissemination of

information and of

training tools on gender

mainstreaming.

- Provision of training on

gender mainstreaming.

- Identification of good

and promising practices

regarding gender

mainstreaming.

- Encouraging and

supporting networking

between relevant

actors working in

different sectors.

Outcome

- Relevant policy makers in

member states possess the

knowledge and expertise

to mainstream gender

equality in their work.

- Gender equality aspects

become part of day-to-day

policy making in member

states and at the level of

the Council of Europe.

Insufficient

steps are taken

by stakeholders

to mainstream

gender equality

in their work.

- Provide advice to different

sectors in order to support

gender mainstreaming,

including in relation to

standard setting and

implementation.

- Support targeted policy

analysis to facilitate

gender mainstreaming

in different policy areas.

- Encourage and support

gender equality-

related research and

sex-disaggregated

data collection in

different policy areas.

- A wide spectrum of policy

areas fully integrate

a gender equality

perspective and therefore

fit better to the needs of all

citizens in member States.

- Improved gender

specific knowledge and

improved availability

of data allows for a

systematic use of gender

analysis in all policy areas

in member States.

Page

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Council of Europe gender equality strategy 2018-2023

APPENDIX II –

LIST OF ACRONYMS

CEDAW

UN Convention on the Elimination of All

Forms of Discrimination against Women

(The) Convention

European Convention on Human Rights

CSW

Commission for the Status of Women

European Union

GEC

Gender Equality Commission

GER

Gender Equality Rapporteur

GMT

Gender Mainstreaming Team

INGO

International non-governmental organisations

Council of Europe Convention on

Istanbul

Preventing and Combating Violence against

Convention

Women and Domestic Violence

Lanzarote

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of

Convention

Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

NGOs

Non-governmental organisations

OAS

Organization of American States

OECD

Organisation for Economic

Co-operation and Development

OHCHR

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

OSCE

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Strategy

Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2014-2017

United Nations

UNESCO

UNICEF

United Nations Education, Scientific

and Cultural Organization

United Nations International

Children’s Emergency Fund

United Nations Entity for Gender Equality

and the Empowerment of Women

UN SDGs

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

UN Women

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Gender equality entails equal rights

for women and men, girls and

boys, as well as the same visibility,

empowerment, responsibility

and participation, in all spheres

of public and private life.

ENG

The Council of Europe is the continent’s

leading human rights organisation.

It comprises 47 member states, 28 of which

are members of the European Union.

All Council of Europe member states have signed up

to the European Convention on Human Rights,

a treaty designed to protect human rights,

democracy and the rule of law.

The European Court of Human Rights

oversees the implementation of the

Convention in the member states.

www.coe.int

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