Today, 20 June 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has approved the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence," better known as the Istanbul Convention.

“Ukraine writes its history daily, and approving the Istanbul Convention is one of the most important pages. The Istanbul Convention is the farthest-reaching international legal text on violence against women, and is used as a basis for concrete actions to be taken by countries in and outside of Europe,” stated Mr Steen Nørlov, Head of Office, Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the coordination of cooperation programmes of the Council of Europe.

“I thank Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament and Ms Maria Mezentseva, Head of Permanent Delegation of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to PACE, as well as all the participants and partners. Together, they have made great strides in protecting women from domestic violence and ensuring human rights. Thanks to all partners and participants for the consistent, tireless work!” emphasized Mr Steen Nørlov.

Ukraine signed the Istanbul Convention on 7 November 2011. During all this time, the Council of Europe supports Ukraine in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in the framework of Action Plans by implementing special projects:

• Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine (VAW in Ukraine), 2013-2016;
• Combating violence against women and children in Ukraine, 2017;
• The Istanbul Convention: a tool to advance in fighting violence against women and domestic violence in Ukraine, 2018-2020.

Since the beginning of 2021 Council of Europe implements a two-year project “Combatting Violence Against Women in Ukraine” (COVAW).