The Ongoing Struggle for Women’s Rights in Europe
Recently, the group of **experts** on the fight against **violence against women** and **domestic violence** (GREVIO) of the **Council of Europe** has released an alarming report. They indicate a growing concern regarding the “**Recovery of the space devoted to defenders of women’s rights**.”
“GREVIO has noticed several times insufficiencies in the support for NGOs defending women’s rights or even **disturbing trends** that aim to suppress the women’s movement,” the report, published on May 14, states.
Article reserved for our subscribers
“We, field associations, lack means to combat **gender-based** and **sexual violence**.”
The group is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the **Istanbul Convention**, the first international treaty setting legally binding standards to combat **violence against women**, which came into force in 2014. Last year, GREVIO examined the role of **NGOs** in signatory countries such as **Albania**, **France**, **Finland**, and **Sweden**.
“This narrowing of the space given to NGOs does not happen in a vacuum. It is also correlated with a general narrowing of fundamental rights,” stated the president of GREVIO, **Maria-Andriani Kosopoulou**. She expressed concerns regarding the rise of the **extreme right** in Europe, noting that **austerity measures** have led to a reduction in funding for NGOs.
Article reserved for our subscribers
Fight against **domestic violence**: “You need stable and strengthened funding.”
Kosopoulou also recalled the **negative impact** caused by the funding freeze from **USAID** during Donald Trump’s presidency. “In **Greece**, for example, NGOs advocating for women’s rights that have operated for decades are on the brink of closure,” she added.
“Smaller NGOs that provide support for women and girls from specific communities, such as **migrant women** and victims of **genital violence** or forced marriages, often struggle to gain official recognition or establish partnerships with authorities or access public funding,” GREVIO noted.
Furthermore, the experts mention the prevalence of **harassment** and **intimidation** faced by activists, particularly women journalists. With its 46 member countries, the **Council of Europe** aims to monitor **democracy** and **human rights** across the continent.
Article reserved for our subscribers
“France must better protect and support children victims of **sexual violence**.”