gender-sensitive mediation

Methods of resolving disputes through a means other than judicial decisions, which may better serve women seeking justice, in particular by providing more flexibility, decreasing costs and delays, and ensuring that victims are not subjected to secondary victimisation.

Additional notes and information

General

According to the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and relevant international standards, the use of mandatory mediation and conciliation in cases of gender-based violence against women is not appropriate and should be prohibited. This is because mediation is not always gender-sensitive, and may not serve the needs of women and men equally.

Sources

(1) Council of Europe (2011). Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and its Explanatory Memorandum. Council of Europe Treaty Series No 210; (2) EIGE experts.