In the run-up to International Women's Day, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Jean-Claude Mignon, has issued the following declaration:

"8 March is an auspicious annual occasion for all those involved in promoting women's rights. This year the event will have the theme of ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time to Act to End Violence against Women'.

The Council of Europe has a major instrument at its disposal, namely the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. This is the first binding text combining all the necessary ingredients: preventing violence, protecting victims, prosecuting those responsible and implementing integrated policies. (more...)

See also:
File on International Women's Day
File on the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence