To mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, the Council of Europe has published a new Question-and-Answer brochure aiming at clearing away serious misconceptions about its landmark Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”).
The press release announcing the publication, points out that despite the clearly stated aims of the Istanbul Convention, several religious and ultra conservative groups have been spreading false narratives about the convention, especially around the concept of “gender” included in its text. These misrepresentations are exposed and rectified in the new publication released today, which also highlights the contribution of the Istanbul Convention to ending violence against women and domestic violence and to protect women’s human rights.