Webinar on Violence against women before, during and after COVID 19
Violence against women and girls before, during and after COVID-19: the shadow pandemic that must be addressed
Speakers
Welcome and opening : Michele Nicoletti, Professor, University of Trento, Italy, former President of PACE and commissioned by the Council of Europe to co-ordinate a feasibility study on Council of Europe Academic Networks (CEAN)
Marina Calloni, Professor, Co-ordinator of the Italian Academic Network on the Istanbul Convention (UNIRE)
Dubravka Šimonović, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences
Nina Nordström, Chair of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention
Adrianne Van Der Wilk - Expert on Online and Technology-facilitated VAW
Sara De Vido, Associate Professor, University Ca' Foscari, Venice
Moderator :
Marceline Naudi, GREVIO President
Documentation
Flyer
Presentation of Dubravka Šimonović, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences;
Presentation of Adrianne Van Der Wilk - Expert on Online and Technology-facilitated VAW;
Presentation of Sara De Vido, Associate Professor, University Ca' Foscari, Venice
Synthesis report of the webinar, by Cristina Oddone, Expert on gender-based violence and research associate at the University of Strasbourg, France
Date and Time
Wednesday, 20 May 2020, from 10:00 to 11:45 (France: GMT + 2 hours)
The webinar was broadcasted live on the Directorate General Democracy Facebook page
Language : English only
Background
What many have feared is now showing in data: the various types of lockdowns and social distancing introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19 around the world are putting women at increased risk of gender-based violence. While in some countries calls for help to the police and/or helplines for domestic violence have gone up significantly, women elsewhere appear to be refraining from seeking help. Where perpetrators of sexual, physical or psychological violence share the residence with their victims, the lockdowns are exacerbating the situation. Various forms of technology-facilitated violence (sextortion, non-consensual image/video sharing etc) seem on the rise. A more hidden issue is how containment measures are impacting on women who are or fear becoming homeless if they leave their abuser.
The Council of Europe Istanbul Convention and its standards for a holistic response to the prevention of violence against women, the protection and support for victims and the prosecution of perpetrators is more relevant than ever and continues to apply. T
Objective
As we begin to move out of a full lockdown but with many restrictions still in place, it is important to look at the institutional responses and ask what is working to prevent and combat violence against women. Are institutional responses meeting the rights and needs of victims as set out in the Istanbul Convention? What are the gaps and shortcomings that have been exposed as a result of the pandemic? What are the important issues that we need to prioritise in this transition phase and beyond to ensure women survivors and their needs are given the attention they deserve?
Expected outcome
The discussions will address these pressing questions ranging from women’s support and protection from offline and online violence inside or outside the home and will offer food-for-thought for the Istanbul Convention’s full implementation as we seek to rein in the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter.
On 8 March 2024 the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on Discrimination and Violence against Women (EDVAW Platform), including GREVIO, published a joint statement on International Women’s Day. The experts highlight the urgent need to address the intersection of gender-based violence and poverty. They emphasize that despite efforts, discrimination against women persists, exacerbated by crises like COVID-19, wars and climate change and they urge for legislative reforms, inclusive policies, and increased resources to empower women and girls.
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