Atividade Parlamentar Convention on preventing and combating violence against women (Istanbul Convention): state of play and actions to be taken

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) was opened for signature in Istanbul on 11 May 2011. It is the first European legal instrument to create a comprehensive legal framework to protect women against all forms of violence. It is important to note that the Convention does not only apply to women. Parties to the Convention are also encouraged to apply its protective framework to children, men, and the elderly exposed to domestic violence. 

The Convention will enter into force when it has been ratified by 10 countries, eight of which must be Council of Europe member states. At present, it has been signed by 26 States and ratified by 5 (of whom just two EU Member States).

Given that the fight against all form of violence against women and girls is among the priorities of the EU,  can the Commission and the Council say:

• what steps or measures could be taken in order to speed up the signatures and ratification by EU´s Member States, as well as by the European Union itself;
• which measures can be implemented to address the 'six-P' framework on violence against women (policy, prevention, protection, prosecution, provision, and partnership) as demanded in several occasions by the European Parliament;
• which measures can be promoted in developing effective and consistent initiatives to support Member States in eradicating violence against women, also establishing networks and communication between national authorities to ensure work in this area.

Authors: Roberta Angelilli - Chair of the High-level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity; Mikael  Gustafsson - Chair of the FEMM Committee; Antonyia Parvanova - Rapporteur on "Combating violence against women".

This parliamentary question was signed by Maria da Graça Carvalho.