The Council of Europe (CoE) is Europe’s leading inter-governmental human rights organization working with its 46 member states to strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Zonta International has been represented at the Council of Europe since 1983 and is one of 320 international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) enjoying participatory status at the Conference of INGOs, the body representing civil society in the CoE. The term participatory status means to actively participate in the decision-making process and in the policies and the work program of the CoE. As part of the Conference of INGOs, Zonta’s representative contributes directly to debates, resolutions and recommendations and is attentive that gender mainstreaming is being observed in the outcome of the Conference of INGOs.
As part of the Conference, the Zonta International CoE Committee contributes to the work of the inter-governmental committees and to the elaboration process of treaties and policy lines. The CoE Committee’s priority is to train Zonta members around the world on Zonta’s strong position at the CoE and to promote relevant instruments and treaties as tools for members, clubs and districts to advocate knowledgeably and effectively for gender equality and the rights of women and girls.
The committee especially highlights the Istanbul Convention (CoE Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence) and the Anti-Trafficking Convention (CoE Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings), which are also accessible by non-European countries. It underlines the global dimension and relevance of the CoE for Zonta's advocacy mission and for the Zonta Says NO to Violence against Women campaign.
Read more key facts on the CoE.
Meet the CoE Committee.
Webinar: Being a women's rights advocate - what you should know about the Council of Europe (CoE)
The Anti-Gender Movement: Going backwards in women's rights - What Zontians should know