[Brussels, 12 May 2017] Yesterday, the Council of the European Union has agreed on the EU’s signature of the Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and girls.
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL), and the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls warmly welcomes this major step in the EU’s action to combat all forms of violence against women.
“We are very happy about this decision: it is indeed time for the EU to walk the talk when it comes to violence against women. Finally, 22 years after the adoption of the Beijing Platform for action, the EU is giving the world a robust message about its commitment to fight this pervasive form of women’s rights violation” says Edith Schratzberger-Vécsei, President of the European Women’s Lobby.
“We need to be proud of this achievement. Women’s organisations all over Europe, including the European Women’s Lobby, have worked intensively to ensure that violence against women is considered a top priority in the political agenda. It is time to recognise the outstanding contribution of women’s organisations in the fight to end violence against women and girls and protect all victims”, says Joanna Maycock, EWL Secretary General.
This year, the European Women’s Lobby is marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and girls; a unique structure that fosters solidarity and cooperation and brings together more than 30 experts, professionals, women’s rights defenders, and front-line NGOs activists, from all over Europe. For the last 20 years, the EWL Observatory has a played key role advising the EWL about the reality of violence against women in the EU and resourcing EWL’s advocacy messages and demands.
The European Women’s Lobby is organizing a public event and a demonstration “Loud and United to end violence against women and girls” in Brussels, on 8 of June 2017. “It will be a key occasion to praise the contribution of women’s organisations and to keep speaking up. We will be loud and united to ensure that words are turn into concrete action. Women and girls across Europe want to live a life free from violence and fear”, says Pierrette Pape, EWL Policy and Campaigns Director.
“Yesterday’s decision is the first achievement in the process of the EU becoming a party to the Istanbul Convention. Together with our 2000 members, and with the European coalition to end violence against women and girls, we will actively watch out the negotiations of the EU Code of Conduct towards the EU’s ratification of the Istanbul convention. We call on the EU member states to commit to implement the Istanbul Convention and walk the talk”, says Irene Rosales, EWL Policy and Campaigns Officer on violence against women.
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