Back Conference “Safe from fear, safe from violence – Celebrating the Entry into Force of the Istanbul Convention”

Rome , 

(See the text in Italian)

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President Boldrini,
Minister  Mogherini.
President Brasseur,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude to the
co-organisers of this Conference, the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

I would like to thank President Boldrini and Minister Mogherini personally. Without their firm commitment this event would not have been possible.

On behalf of the Council of Europe, it is with immense pride that I welcome you all to this conference.

We are celebrating the entry into force of a ground-breaking treaty - the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence – in short, the Istanbul Convention because it was opened for signature in that city three years ago.

The Istanbul Convention is the first of its kind in Europe and the most far-reaching treaty on this topic worldwide. Its measures form a comprehensive framework that provides a blueprint for any national set of policies to ensure that women and girls are safe and free from violence.

The entry into force of the Convention just three years after its opening for signature is testament to the strong political will that we have been able to build to protect women and girls from all types of violence. This strong political will is demonstrated very clearly by the 14 ratifications and 22 member States of the Council of Europe that have signed the Convention.

It is safe to say that there is now a crystal-clear consensus that the Convention represents a ground-breaking human rights treaty.

This was not always the case. This consensus was nowhere to be seen when we set out to negotiate the treaty in 2009. Long drafting group meetings were often bogged down by the inability to agree on how exactly to define the scope of the Convention.  What was considered as “agreed language” in the international arena was often brought into question during our negotiations in Strasbourg.

There can be no doubt about it: many of the unique features of the Convention were hard-won gains.

It is therefore all the more pleasing to see so much praise – in Europe and beyond - for our new landmark treaty. Praise that is resonating with the media and the wider public.

On 1 August, the day the Istanbul Convention entered into force, the treaty was widely reported on by newspapers and media outlets in Europe and beyond.  Much more, of course, has been published and broadcast since. 

This goes to show that taboos around this issue are being lifted and that the Istanbul Convention is already working as a tool to change attitudes.

Through the Convention, and our partners in education and media, we now have the opportunity to bring about a change of mind-set within society. Doing so will help ensure that violence against women is understood for what it is: a shocking violation of human rights.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have come so far together, but there is so much work that still needs to be done.

This Conference provides us with a valuable opportunity to take stock of where we stand right now.

It gives us an opportunity to consider what more needs to be done to advance the great unfinished business of the 21st century - advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls.

Rape, domestic violence, stalking, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, sexual harassment, forced abortion – these are all manifestations of male domination over women.

These are human rights violations and must be considered as structural violence.

They are toxic components of a social system containing an imbalance of power and unequal opportunities for women and men.

With this in mind, measures contained in the Istanbul Convention are firmly based on the premise that violence against women cannot be eradicated without investing in greater equality between women and men.

The bottom line is that only real equality between women and men and a change in power dynamics and attitudes can truly prevent violence against women.

The key answer to how we can stop violence against women is therefore not crime control.

The answer is making sure that women and men are equal partners.

The answer is making sure that women and men have the same rights, the same responsibilities and the same opportunities.

It is making sure that women’s contribution to society is equally visible, valued and respected.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let us also not forget that as innovative and advanced as it is, the Istanbul Convention is also a pragmatic tool.

The Convention is more than simply words on a paper to be quoted at high-level conferences such as this one. 

A tool is made to be used – and applied.

During the day we will hear about the requirements of the Convention, which consists of four important pillars: prevention, protection of victims and those at risk, prosecution, and policies that are comprehensive and holistic. These are the cornerstones of the Convention.

There are many features that make the Istanbul Convention such a sophisticated tool in filling a gap in the protection of women’s right to life liberty and security.  I think three of them deserve to be highlighted.

First, it is the unique international treaty to affirm that violence against women is a human rights violation. Article 3 defines violence against women as a “violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women”.

Second, the Convention tackles head-on the reality of abuse against women by making it clear that violence against women is not a private matter.  On the contrary, it is the responsibility of our authorities to protect women and girls from violence suffered in the privacy of their homes.

For the truth is, violence against women is not limited to shady back alleys in the dark of night.  Much more often, it is inflicted at home by someone women know.  Someone women trust.

Third, the Convention puts an end to isolated measures and pilot projects by calling for member States to adopt a comprehensive set of policies.  This means that, in the future, it will not be good enough to come forward with one or two pieces of legislation.

What the Istanbul Convention requires is no less than a masterplan to combat all forms of violence against women and domestic violence. 

Dear friends,

The success of the Istanbul Convention and the success of our efforts to tackle violence against women and domestic violence, will largely depend on the political will of government.

It will depend on the continuous engagement of parliaments and parliamentarians, of local authorities and civil society.

We have to make sure that the issue of violence against women and domestic violence stays high on the political agenda for as long as is needed.

Co-operation between international organisations should act as a catalyser allowing all these positive forces to converge towards the effective protection of women's human dignity.

Looking ahead, the Council of Europe will continue to join forces with the United Nations, the European Union and other organisations so that the Convention remains something tangible for all women.

So that women across the world can continue to benefit from our noble mission and our community of values.

Because for too long, the history of abuse against women has been a history of silence.

It is therefore our duty, today as well as in the months and years ahead, to provide a voice to the women of the world whose ordeals have gone unnoticed, to those who have suffered in silence.

It is our duty to speak out.

To speak for those who cannot.

We can never again plead ignorance as we know what is at stake.

By marking the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention we are sending a strong message to the world: there can be no impunity for perpetrators of violence against women.

Together, we need to shatter the culture of impunity and make justice the norm, not the exception, for these crimes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me conclude by stating the obvious: we will not succeed in eradicating violence against women overnight.

But if we bring together all of our efforts, if we share what we have learned over all these years and if we inspire others to join us, then I know that we will find the strength to stay on course for the future, putting an end to impunity and shielding women from violence in all corners of the world.

Thank you and I wish you all a fruitful and inspirational conference.