Violence against women remains one of the most pronounced expressions of the unequal power relations between women and men. It is both a violation of the human rights of women and a major obstacle to gender equality. International and regional treaties and law to end gender-based violence provide the foundations for women to enjoy their human rights and live a life free from violence. The conference will bring together representatives of global and regional independent mechanisms working on violence against women and women’s human rights, government representatives, policy makers, NGOs and other partners active in these fields. It will explore how international co-operation and synergy could be strengthened to help close the gap between law and practice. Panel discussions will also address national and international case-law on child custody and domestic violence, as well as how work towards putting an end to violence against women and girls is a condition for, and accelerates, the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The conference will take place on 24 May 2019, in Strasbourg. It is organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences, and the French Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Conference website

This event was organised in the context of the Chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and its objective was to engage in a reflection process on new synergies at different levels: (i) at government level, with newly designated or established official co-ordinating bodies; (ii) at parliamentary level, with the involvement of parliamentarians in the monitoring of the implementation of the Istanbul Convention; and (iii) at the level of civil society and national human rights institutions. The Conference provided a platform for the exchange of experiences, know-how and networking among participants.

 Programme
 Concept note
 Speech by Marja Ruotanen, Director of Human Dignity and Equality, Council of Europe

In partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the Council of Europe organised a conference in Rome on 19 September in order to celebrate the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention, highlight its holistic approach to combating violence against women and encourage member States and other participating States to sign and ratify this ground-breaking convention.

The Conference Safe from fear, safe from violence – celebrating the entry into force of the Istanbul Convention paid tribute to the important role of the Istanbul Convention in filling a gap in the protection of women from gender-based violence in Europe and beyond. Particular emphasis was placed on the added value of the Convention, the link between achieving gender equality and combating violence against women, as well as recognising violence against women as a serious human rights violation. In addition, the measures which States Parties to the Convention will be required to take in the area of prevention, protection and prosecution were presented in detail, as well as the need for holistic policies in this field. Finally, the Conference provided a platform for the exchange of experiences, knowhow and networking among participants. Participants included representatives from government structures and institutions at decision-making level, parliaments and local authorities from Council of Europe member states and beyond, other regional and international organisations, NGOs and civil society as well as media.

Joint Declaration by Ministers and State Secretaries from the Contracting States to the Istanbul Convention

On the occasion of the Conference, a Joint Declaration was delivered by Ministers and State Secretaries from State Parties to the Istanbul Convention to demonstrate political will to implement its provisions and to urge other Council of Europe member States, non-member States, as well as the European Union, to become Parties to the Convention.

Objective of the Conference

The objective of the Conference was three-fold:

- Celebrate the entry into force of this ground-breaking convention;

- Highlight its holistic approach to combating violence against women;

- Encourage member States and other participating States to sign and ratify it.

Conference documents

Programme
List of Participants
Concept note
Speeches