The Council of Europe Ending violence against women: multi-country programme organised the conference “Synergy for change: Civil society raising awareness on violence against women in a context of global challenges” in Budapest 11-12 July 2024. Civil society organisations (CSOs) from across Europe gathered to discuss challenges and promote gender equality.

With 91 CSO representatives present, the conference placed the spotlight on the crucial role of CSOs in raising awareness, advocating for change, and fostering gender equality. It addressed emerging issues such as the digital dimension of violence against women, the implications of artificial intelligence, the gender backlash, and other global challenges. It also included members of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Commission, Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE Network), UN Women, and other international experts.

The event was supported by the project Combatting digital and sexual violence against women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and featured representatives from United Women Banja Luka and the Center of Women's Rights from Zenica. Bosnian participants reached several key conclusions. They emphasised the importance of recognising this form of violence in legislation and the necessity of implementing preventive measures to protect women's rights defenders from digital abuse.