This part will focus on the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), adopted by the Committee of Ministers and open for signatures in Istanbul on 11 May 2011 (entered into force on 1 August 2014) that recognises gender-based violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination. The participants will learn about approaches of the Convention, such as: prevention, prosecution, protection and development of integrated policies. We will also tackle the problems around the ratification of the Convention in some countries.
Script fo the video
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
That’s interesting…
What is the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)?
It is a legal text adopted by the Council of Europe. It was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey and entered into force on 1 August 2014. The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is the most far-reaching international treaty to tackle this serious violation of human rights. It aims at zero tolerance for such violence and is a major step forward in making Europe and beyond safer.
What is in the Convention?
First of all, it is the first international treaty that includes the definition of ‘gender’. It recognises violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination. This means that states are held responsible if they do not respond adequately to such violence. It criminalises offences, such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage, stalking, forced abortion and forced sterilisation. This means that states will, for the first time, be obliged to introduce these serious offences into their legal systems. It calls for the involvement of all relevant state agencies and services so that violence against women and domestic violence are tackled in a co-ordinated way. This means that agencies and NGOs should not act alone, but work out protocols for co-operation.
The Convention used so-called 4P approach, which stands for: PREVENTION, PROTECTION, PROSECUTION, and INTEGRATED POLICIES. According to the Convention, the Stated are, for example, required to: change attitudes, gender roles and stereotypes that make violence against women acceptable; train professionals working with victims; raise awareness of the different forms of violence and their traumatising nature also in co-operation with NGOs, the media and the private sector; ensure that the needs and safety of victims are placed at the heart of all measures; set up specialised support services that provide medical assistance as well as psychological and legal counselling to victims and their children; set up shelters in sufficient numbers and introduce free, round-the-clock telephone helplines; ensure that violence against women is criminalised and appropriately punished; ensure that victims have access to special protection measures during investigation and judicial proceedings.
The convention requires states parties to criminalise or otherwise sanction the following behaviours: domestic violence (physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence); stalking; sexual violence, including rape; sexual harassment; forced marriage; female genital mutilation; and forced abortion and forced sterilisation.
Who is covered by the Convention?
The convention covers any women and girls, from any background, regardless of their age, race, religion, social origin, migrant status or sexual orientation. The convention recognises that there are groups of women and girls that are often at greater risk of experiencing violence, and states need to ensure that their specific needs are taken into account. States are also encouraged to apply the convention to other victims of domestic violence, such as men, children and the elderly.
How is the Convention monitored and implemented?
The convention sets up a monitoring mechanism to assess how well its provisions are put into practice. This monitoring mechanism consists of two pillars: the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO), an independent expert body, and the Committee of the Parties, a political body composed of official representatives of the States Parties to the Convention. Their findings and recommendations will help to ensure states’ compliance with the convention and guarantee its long-term effectiveness.
Source: Safe from Fear – Safe from Violence; Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, Council of Europe: https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=0900001680464e97
You can read the text of the Convention in different languages at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/text-of-the-convention
