EU signs the Istanbul Convention

Violence against women is rooted in the unequal power relations between women and men and reflects one of the strongest expressions of gender inequality. In this context the European Institute for Gender Equality has been strongly supporting the EU and the Member States in their efforts to eradicate violence against women since the very start of its activities seven years ago.  “The elimination of violence against women involves challenging the unequal division of social, political, and economic power among women and men, and the ways in which this inequality is perpetuated through institutions at all levels of society” says Virginija Langbakk, EIGE’s Director. 

The signing of the Istanbul Convention by Commissioner Věra Jourová on 13 June 2017 on the basis of two decisions adopted by the Council on 11 May 2017 is therefore an extremely important step in establishing the first legally binding instrument dedicated to combating violence against women.  Calling as it does for a regular monitoring of State efforts and policy initiatives and the designing of more effective strategies.

The Chairwoman of EIGE’s Management Board, Prof. Dr Kalliope Agapiou-Josephides, highlighted the importance of the signing by Commissioner Věra Jourová of the Council of Europe Convention (Istanbul Convention) on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence and underlined EIGE’s commitment to take all necessary actions to fulfil its role in this respect.

Photo (C): Council of Europe