The European human rights system consists of regional intergovernmental organizations that focus on issues emerging in the larger European arena. Although the STOPVAW site uses the term "European" to describe the regional human rights system comprised of the Council of Europe (COE), the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), membership in the COE and the OSCE includes some countries which are not located in Europe (notably countries located in the Caucuses and Central Asia). In addition, both the Council of Europe and the European Union have initiated cooperative projects, consisting primarily of technical assistance, with the non-member former Soviet Central Asian countries and Mongolia.

Of the three intergovernmental organizations, the Council of Europe (COE) has the broadest human rights focus. The Council of Europe was founded in 1948 and currently includes 45 member States. The Council of Europe promotes and protects human rights and the rule of law through education, monitoring and direct enforcement of the obligations found in COE treaties.

The European Union was created as the European Economic Community following the Second World War primarily for the purpose of promoting economic stability and peace in Europe. The institutions of the union have created policy on human rights issues as well as economic community issues. There are currently 25 European Union Member States, following the accession of 10 new Member States on May 1, 2004. By 2007, the union will comprise 27 Member States.  Recognizing the connections between stability and principles of democracy, European Union membership is predicated on respect for the rule of law and protection and promotion of human rights.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is a regional security organization consisting of 56 member States in Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe takes a comprehensive approach to security, meaning that the OSCE also addresses human rights.

Countries that are Member States of one of the organizations described above may not necessarily be members of the others. Currently, a number of countries that are already Council of Europe members have acceded to the European Union. Eight Central and Eastern European countries joined the European Union on May 1, 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania are expected to join the EU in 2007.

In addition to the organizations mentioned above, the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe plays an important role in the promotion of women's rights in the region, particularly in the area of trafficking in persons. The Stability Pact is not an international organization but is a political declaration of a commitment to cooperation and a shared strategy to ensure stability in South-Eastern European countries. The European Union has taken a leading role in the Stability Pact, and involvement in the Stability Pact is seen as an interim step toward membership for the EU candidate countries from the region. Key international organizations and institutions, such as the United Nations, Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), are partners in the Stability Pact.

The European human rights legal system is based on treaties and is elaborated and explained by other non-binding documents, such as resolutions and directives. These basic documents serve as guidelines to member States on the obligation to protect women from violence. The mechanisms available to enforce such human rights obligations vary from organization to organization, but the Council of Europe, European Union and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe all have procedures by which they can receive information from NGOs. Finally, each of the European organizations also has a distinct structure, with various divisions that directly address the human rights of women. Because there is cooperation between the organizations at various levels, including joint initiatives, it is important to have a clear understanding of the organizational structure and function of each of how each body.