(Brussels, 5 September) The EWL is pleased to announce the start of a new project to promote the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, with a specific focus on rape and sexual violence against women. Following the publication of the EWL Barometer on Rape, this joint project with the Council of Europe will support actions during the 16 days of Activism on Violence Against Women in 2013.
The aim of this project is to put sexual violence and rape back on the political agenda by initiating public debate around inadequate criminal legislation in this area, and advocate for the Istanbul Convention to serve as a concrete tool for change.
Many EU countries have signed the Convention but few have ratified it and more steps are needed in order to bring legislation in line with its requirements. Organising public events will, it is hoped, help to raise awareness of the Istanbul Convention and its requirements in the area of criminal legislation on rape and sexual violence.
Therefore, public events and actions around this topic will be organised in 33 countries during the 16 Days of Activism on violence against women this year (25/11 – 10/12/2013) by the Experts of the EWL Observatory on violence against women and by the EWL National Coordination Members.
The EWL will intensively and passionately work on this project for the next four months together with the Council of Europe. A special section on the EWL website will be launched shortly to give visibility to the project and keep you informed of its development and the actions organised at national level.
