4/3/2016, Brussels: On 4th of March, European Commission proposed for the European Union to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women. The proposal to accede to the Istanbul Convention will be discussed in the European Council and in the European Parliament, whose consent is needed in this process.
Total of 20 states have already ratified the Convention, out of which 12 are Member States. Further 19 states, including 13 Member States, have signed it but not yet ratified.
This initiative reaffirms the EU commitment to combat gender-based violence. Advantages of ratifying the Istanbul Convention at EU-level will an active role of the EU in monitoring the proper and effective application of the Convention, which would strengthen the EU impact in the fight against violence against women.
Since its adoption in 2011, the Autonomous Women’s Center has been actively monitoring and advocating for the full implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women, which is specifically addressed by the regional campaign “I sign”.
More information can be found here.