“ Your work uncovers the facts; it provides support for those who suffer; and it helps create the conditions in which change becomes possible”, declared Deputy Secretary General while addressing the Meeting of the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence, in the framework of Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Summer session 2021.

Bjørn Berge stressed as well the relevance of the 10^th anniversary of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: “The Istanbul Convention’s impact on European justice is there to see: in government efforts to define and criminalise specific acts; in the added support that many authorities now provide for women in danger; and in the changes to the way in which criminal justice systems deal with these crimes where they occur. Preventing violence, protecting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators.

The Istanbul Convention saves lives! ”