Moving from Protection to Prevention: Combating Violence Against Locally Elected Women

In our pursuit of gender equality, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is committed to exposing the hurdles faced by women in local and regional politics. Our recently released report, “Women in Politics,” provides a visual snapshot of women’s representation in elected roles across subnational levels.

A detailed breakdown of portfolios at the local level underscores the challenges that persist. The infographics also unveil the outcomes of an anonymous CEMR survey involving 2,424 participants from 31 countries. Focused on elected women in local and regional European roles, the survey delves into their experiences of violence in the political realm. These findings shed light on a disturbing reality: violence against locally elected women is a prevalent issue that demands urgent attention.

“Empowering women at the local level is pivotal in our journey towards gender equality. The ‘Women in Politics’ report, accompanied by insightful infographics and a comprehensive survey, reflects our commitment to understanding and addressing gender inequalities. Together, through the power of grassroots movements, we can build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.” – CEMR President Gunn Marit Helgesen.

As alarming as the survey results are, they serve as a call to action. Annelies Coessens, CEMR Gender and Diversity Officer, emphasizes the need to start working on prevention as much as on protection. As she points out, “We need a shift in mentality in the way the next Commission and European Parliament legislate on gender equality. Given the significant resources society allocates to protecting women after they’ve experienced violence, it is imperative to invest in measures that tackle the root causes and foster a culture of respect. We need our institutions, at any level, to work to create an environment where violence against women in politics becomes simply unthinkable.”