A Conference at the heart of European issues
As a symbolic capital that embodies Europe's fundamental values, the City of Strasbourg has chosen to give this major event a European flavour. Whilst keeping the spotlight constantly on the fight to eliminate violence against women, it is also about capturing the attention and raising awareness among as many people as possible, collectively questioning what we know and inspiring each other to take concrete action.
Why hold a conference in Strasbourg?
At the last Conference on sexist violence held in Nantes in 2022, several municipal authorities including Strasbourg's undertook to organise this event every two years in order to perpetuate the efforts made at local level to combat violence against women. The City of Strasbourg was already strongly committed to the fight and had no hesitation in taking up the torch for the 2024 conference.
By organising this event, the City wishes to give it not only a national, but also a European reach. Classified as France's "most livable city for women" by Femme Actuelle magazine in April this year, Strasbourg is also home to numerous European institutions. This position and its location at a point in Europe where several territories meet automatically imposed a European tone on this latest Conference.
By organizing this event, the City aims to give it both national and European significance. Ranked as the "best city in France for women to live" by Femme Actuelle magazine last April, Strasbourg also hosts the headquarters of numerous European institutions. This position, at the crossroads of regions, has naturally established the European tone of this new conference.
This Conference will therefore be a way of raising awareness of the women's rights and equality enshrined in the different European and international treaties and conventions and of highlighting the many cooperative initiatives that exist. For example, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions' European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life, which the city signed in 2010.
"We want to show the public and professionals at local level how the Institutions less than a kilometre away from them are addressing the issue of domestic violence and what impact European decisions have on our daily lives."
Christelle Wieder, Strasbourg deputy mayor in charge of implementing the City's policy in favour of women's rights and gender equality.
European legislation a focus of the programme
This conference will be an opportunity to question what Europe, its institutions and its legislative framework, but also its feminist networks and prevention activists and support workers, female and male, can do to eliminate violence. What consequences do decisions made at European level have for women?
One of the round table debates will examine the role of the Group of Independent Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), which oversees the implementation of the Istanbul Convention adopted by the Council of Europe in April 2011. This text was one of the first in Europe to establish binding standards intended to prevent gender-based violence, protect victims of violence and prosecute perpetrators.
However, not all the countries in the European Union have ratified this Convention, including Hungary, Lithuania or the Czech Republic This reaction reveals a great reluctance on the part of some Member States to tackle this problem head on. Even in the countries that have ratified the Convention, progress has been slow in coming. In its last report, which dates from 2019, in particular GREVIO asked France to "establish legal measures to protect women from economic violence" and to "provide greater support for the work of associations specialised in preventing and combating violence against women".
Another round table session will look at the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence adopted by the European Parliament last February, and explain the first tools it offers associations and women to report cyber harassment.
These conferences will allow us to question what Europe, its institutions, its legislative framework, as well as its feminist networks and the actors involved in prevention and support, can do to combat violence. What are the consequences for women of the decisions made at the European level?
One of the round tables will thus analyze the role of GREVIO (Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence), a body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in April 2011. This text is one of the first in Europe to establish binding norms aimed at preventing gender-based violence, protecting victims, and punishing perpetrators.
However, not all countries in the European Union have ratified this Convention, such as Hungary, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. This reaction reveals a significant reluctance among states to fully engage with the issue. Even in countries that have ratified this text, progress is still needed. In its latest report, dated 2019, GREVIO specifically called on France to "establish legal frameworks capable of protecting women from economic violence," and to "further support the work of organizations specialized in the prevention and combat of violence against women."
Another panel will examine the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, adopted by the European Parliament last February, and will provide insights into the initial tools it offers to organizations and women to file complaints regarding cyber harassment.
These conferences will allow us to question what Europe, its institutions, its legislative framework, as well as its feminist networks and the actors involved in prevention and support, can do to combat violence. What are the consequences for women of the decisions made at the European level?
One of the round tables will thus analyze the role of GREVIO (Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence), a body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in April 2011. This text is one of the first in Europe to establish binding norms aimed at preventing gender-based violence, protecting victims, and punishing perpetrators.
However, not all countries in the European Union have ratified this Convention, such as Hungary, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. This reaction reveals a significant reluctance among states to fully engage with the issue. Even in countries that have ratified this text, progress is still needed. In its latest report, dated 2019, GREVIO specifically called on France to "establish legal frameworks capable of protecting women from economic violence," and to "further support the work of organizations specialized in the prevention and combat of violence against women."
Another panel will examine the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, adopted by the European Parliament last February, and will provide insights into the initial tools it offers to organizations and women to file complaints regarding cyber harassment.
These conferences will allow us to question what Europe, its institutions, its legislative framework, as well as its feminist networks and the actors involved in prevention and support, can do to combat violence. What are the consequences for women of the decisions made at the European level?
One of the round tables will thus analyze the role of GREVIO (Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence), a body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in April 2011. This text is one of the first in Europe to establish binding norms aimed at preventing gender-based violence, protecting victims, and punishing perpetrators.
However, not all countries in the European Union have ratified this Convention, such as Hungary, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic. This reaction reveals a significant reluctance among states to fully engage with the issue. Even in countries that have ratified this text, progress is still needed. In its latest report, dated 2019, GREVIO specifically called on France to "establish legal frameworks capable of protecting women from economic violence," and to "further support the work of organizations specialized in the prevention and combat of violence against women."
Another panel will examine the directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, adopted by the European Parliament last February, and will provide insights into the initial tools it offers to organizations and women to file complaints regarding cyber harassment.
Sharing experiences and good practice
To prevent things sliding backwards in the fight to eliminate violence against women, this Conference will also be an opportunity to give a voice to interesting experiments or inspiring legislative initiatives in Europe, like those mentioned in the Most favoured European woman provision initiated by Gisèle Halimi and taken up by the "Choisir la cause des femmes" association.
On sexual and reproductive rights, Estonia for example has the best system of sex and relationship education. This programme is now compulsory from primary school upwards. As for Croatia, it has given special status to civilian victims of sexual violence and rape in wartime. Finally, Spain is all-round champion on legal measures most favourable to respect for women's right. Over €200 million a year is being set aside for this legislative arsenal.
Some high points
- A Spanish researcher and an activist lawyer will be presenting the general policy being implemented in Spain and Catalonia.
- An Italian activist will be talking about the fight in her country for better recognition of abortion rights, which are now being threatened by a law allowing “pro-life” groups to access to abortion clinics.
- Presentation of the Stuttgart Welcome Center and how it operates: a reception centre open to all regardless of origin (students, employees, refugees, etc.), with a multilingual team.
These sessions sharing different European initiatives will be accompanied by workshops led by local professionals in order to see how different levels can interact and work together.