The European Union ratifies Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe, a comprehensive international agreement to combat violence against women and domestic violence, was published by the European Commission on the occasion of Women's Day.
Twelve Member States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) have already ratified the Convention. A further 13 Member States have signed it but have not yet ratified it, including Croatia.
"Our proposal sends a clear message: victims of violence against women must be better protected across Europe. One in three women in the EU has experienced physical or sexual violence – or both. More than half of women over the age of 15 have experienced sexual abuse. These figures are unacceptable and run counter to our values. The proposal for the EU to ratify the Istanbul Convention is a step forward both in our fight against violence and in guaranteeing gender equality. In order to ensure consistent implementation at all levels, I take this opportunity to call on all Member States that have not yet ratified the Convention to do so as soon as possible," said Vera Jourova, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.
"This is an extraordinary step forward by the European Commission and a clear message that violence must not be tolerated. The Commission's hesitation in drafting a Gender Equality Strategy has already shown us in the Gender Equality Committee that the Commission has placed women's rights low on the agenda, but the fact that seven women die from violence every day in the EU cannot be ignored!", commented MEP Biljana Borzan.
As a reminder, Borzan launched an initiative among MEPs to the Commission to declare 2017 the European Year for Combating Violence against Women, for which she secured 413 signatures, which is more than half of the MEPs. During the three-month campaign, she constantly reminded MEPs of the grim statistics. As many as a third of women in the European Union have experienced physical or sexual violence, 22 percent of which by their partners. Despite this, it is estimated that only 20 percent of violence is reported to the police. And in those rare cases where a report is made, only every second victim is satisfied with the final outcome.
"Although the first resolution by the European Parliament condemning violence against women was voted back in 1986, there is still no strategy at the European level, let alone a law condemning such violence. I am glad that the EC heard the critical messages from the European Parliament and took this step," said Borzan.
After accession to the Convention, the EU and its Member States, within the framework of their respective powers, will guarantee the implementation of a number of rights and obligations that protect women (criminalization of gender-based violence, availability of shelters, telephone support, etc.).
