“Throughout my mandate, I have returned over and over to the importance of the Istanbul Convention. Marking its 10 years in force here today, I am very happy to speak about it once again. The Istanbul Convention is a landmark treaty in the battle to end violence against women and domestic violence. Violence that scars, intimidates and inhibits its victims, undermining their freedom, security and potential. Until that battle is won, and it must be won, true gender equality cannot be achieved”, stated Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić at the conference “United around gender equality: making space for women and girls” while launching the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029.
“Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It is not just a women’s issue; it is a human issue that affects us all. As the title of this Conference reveals, it should unite us rather than divide us. The spaces we create for women and girls in our societies are a reflection of our values and our vision for the future. These spaces should not be mere tokens of inclusion but platforms for empowerment, where every voice is heard, and every potential is realized”, said Vice Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania Justina Jakštienė at the opening of the event, organised under the framework of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
Writer, broadcaster, and feminist campaigner Caroline Criado Perez, who is author of Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, delivered the keynote speech for insight into current and future challenges in gender equality.
The first session has been dedicated to the launch of the new Gender Equality Strategy 2024-2029, which will focus on six strategic areas:
- Preventing and combating gender stereotypes and sexism.
- Preventing and combating violence against women and girls and domestic violence.
- Ensuring equal access to justice for women and girls.
- Achieving balanced participation of women and men in political, public, social, and economic life.
- Ensuring women’s empowerment and gender equality in relation to global and geopolitical challenges.
- Achieving gender mainstreaming and including an intersectional approach in all policies and measures.
“The social and technological development of 21st century Europe means that both the challenges themselves and our understanding of how to meet them are developing fast,” said the Secretary General. “Only by working together can we hope to make gender equality the reality that we long for, in the interests of all Europeans.
Journalist Abby Kuhathasan moderated discussions during the conference. A side-event will showcase the “Youth perspective on gender-based violence”, organised by the Council of Europe Youth Department.
The conference also marks the 10th anniversary since the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (also known as the Istanbul Convention) entered into force as the first legally binding international instrument to stop violence against women and girls. The convention establishes a comprehensive framework of legal and policy measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims, and punishing perpetrators.
