Council of Europe: new gender equality strategy 2018-2023

A a new gender equality strategy has been adopted by the Council of Europe for the period 2018-2023.

The document identifies the main challenges faced in the in the implementation of the Strategy 2014-2017: “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 strategy for 2018-2023 will focus on:

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.

Specific actions regarding the Istanbul Convention and VAW are mentioned in pages 10-12.

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