(AGENPARL) – Mon 24 November 2025 Image
PRESS RELEASE
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Ref. CG090(2025)
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025:
Combating Digital Violence: Local Governments Must Step Up Action to Protect Women in Politics
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is the political assembly representing local and regional governments across the 46 member States, responsible for promoting and monitoring local democracy.
“With attacks against women politicians causing distress and harm, local and regional authorities themselves must do everything within their power to combat gender-based digital violence, as a particularly vicious form of violence, by condemning wherever it appears and protecting women and girls through all means, including by empowering girls through formal and informal education and by providing complaint mechanisms and victim support in the local community. We need a digital environment that inspires confidence in all women and girls – in all people – so that they feel free to contribute their thoughts and talents in whatever way they choose, including political life”, added Ms Rehman.
The Congress has addressed the issue of violence against women and girls through a range of activities over recent years. In March 2026 it will hold a debate in plenary on “Preserving grassroots democracy – Combating violence against local and regional elected representatives”, that will include a focus on digital violence against female politicians and consider what more might be done at the local and regional level.
Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, the Congress brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 130 000 local and regional authorities.
President of the Congress: Marc Cools (Belgium, ILDG), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities: Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Regions: Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden, SOC/G/PD).
Political groups: Group of Socialists, Greens and Progressive Democrats (SOC/G/PD), Group of the European Peoples Party (EPP/CCE), Independent Liberal and Democratic Group (ILDG), European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR).
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Council of Europe/Conseil de l’Europe, Avenue de l’Europe, Strasbourg, . 67000 France