A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) will carry out an evaluation visit to Finland from 1 to 5 October 2018. This visit is one of the steps in the procedure to monitor the implementation by Finland of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The Istanbul Convention, is based on the understanding that states must fully address gender-based violence in all its forms and take measures to prevent such violence, protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators. Finland is the ninth state party to undergo the procedure.

Meetings will be held with several ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and the Ministry of Education. Meetings with civil society and NGOs will include representatives of specialist support services which offer counselling to victims of domestic violence, stalking, rape, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, as well as lawyers in the area of migration and asylum. GREVIO will also meet with ombudsman institutions and the Human Rights Centre.

GREVIO plans to publish its evaluation report during 2019.