During the recent Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) session, we had the opportunity to attend a training session on gender-based violence hosted by Ms. Luz Martínez. The session drew on her experience as the General Rapporteur on Violence against Women, including her recent mission observing the electoral process in Armenia, and provided participants with an overview of the resources available as well as the challenges that remain in protecting women across Europe.
Ms. Martínez stressed that gender-based violence is a form of structural violence that disproportionately affects women simply because they are women. While it is often used as a political weapon in situations of armed conflict, it also constitutes a serious threat to democracy and human rights in societies that may otherwise appear peaceful. Rooted in longstanding historical inequalities, this subtle yet persistent form of domination must be understood not only as a human rights violation but also as a major public health concern.
Although patriarchal and sexist norms remain a common feature across societies, the legal definitions of gender-based violence and sexual assault vary significantly among the member states of the Council of Europe. The session highlighted that the safety, freedoms, and protections guaranteed by a state continue to differ according to gender. These inconsistencies create important gaps in legal protection and accountability, making it more difficult to ensure equal rights and effective access to justice for survivors.
Participants were also reminded that gender does not operate in isolation. Other characteristics (including sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, disability, migration status, and place of birth) can intersect to create multiple forms of discrimination. These overlapping inequalities shape individuals experiences of violence and bodily autonomy in different ways, underscoring the importance of adopting an intersectional approach when developing policies and support mechanisms.
Addressing gender-based violence requires action at every level of society. Prevention, detection, and response extend from education systems and workplaces to homes, healthcare services, and courts of justice. Achieving meaningful progress demands political commitment, adequate resources, and sustained cooperation between public institutions and civil society.
Special attention was given to the growing influence of social media, where powerful economic and political interests compete to shape public opinion. In this context, Ms. Martínez referred to the research of Neil Datta, which documents how well-funded transnational networks have supported campaigns aimed at rolling back decades of progress on sexual and reproductive rights across Europe. These developments demonstrate that the struggle for gender equality increasingly extends into the digital sphere.
The discussion also highlighted several pressing challenges. In 2022, around half of all women intentionally killed worldwide were murdered by intimate partners or other family members, yet fewer than ten Council of Europe member states currently have a specific legal definition of femicide. Participants stressed the importance of establishing common standards for recognising femicide, improving data collection, and ensuring greater accountability while strengthening protection and support for victims and survivors.
The Istanbul Convention remains the Council of Europe’s most comprehensive legal framework for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Current priorities include
promoting consent-based definitions of rape, advancing a shared understanding of femicide, and strengthening comprehensive sexuality education as a tool for prevention and equality.
Finally, the training emphasised that achieving lasting change requires the active participation of men and boys. Education, culture, and public discourse all play a central role in challenging harmful stereotypes and creating narratives based on equality, respect, and shared responsibility.
