Combatting violence against women: Council adopts decision about EU’s accession to Istanbul Convention

 

Press material Thursday 1 June 2023

● Council of the EU   01/06/2023 10:56 | Press release | Combatting violence against women: Council adopts decision about EU’s accession to Istanbul Convention   The Council today approved the EU’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). "Violence against women is unacceptable and must end. These acts have no place in our societies. The Istanbul Convention is a landmark and a catalyst for action. Today’s decision on the EU’s accession shows our commitment to stepping up actions against gender-based violence and in support of its victims." Paulina Brandberg, Swedish Minister for Gender Equality and Deputy Minister for Employment Binding legal framework The Convention creates a legal framework to protect women against violence. It covers a broad range of measures, from data collection and awareness raising to legal measures on criminalising different forms of violence against women. It includes measures for the protection of victims and the provision of support services, and addresses the gender-based violence dimension in matters of asylum and migration. Equality between men and women The EU’s accession to the Convention is a boost for EU efforts to realise equality between women and men. Violence against women is not only a criminal offence but also an extreme form of discrimination, entrenched in gender inequalities. At the same time, violence against women contributes to maintaining and reinforcing these inequalities.