Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)

www.coe.int/conventionviolence   

The Istanbul Convention

• About the Convention
• Historical background
• In brief

Violence against women, in all its manifestations, and domestic violence, is a deeply traumatising act of violence. Violence that is employed to exercise dominance and control.
The overwhelming majority of victims of stalking, sexual harassment, sexual violence and rape, forced marriage, physical, sexual and psychological abuse at the hands of intimate partners and forced sterilisation are women. 
Adding female genital mutilation and forced abortion as forms of violence that only women can be subjected to shows the shocking level of diversity in cruel and degrading behaviour that women experience. 
If we consider the fact that most violence is carried out by men, it is just a small step to understanding  that violence against women is structural violence – violence that is used to sustain male power and control. 
This is even more obvious if we look at the patchy attempts of the police, courts and social services to help women victims which is seen in many countries across the world. 

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is based on the understanding that violence against women is a form of gender-based violence that is committed against women because they are women. 
It is the obligation of the state to fully address it in all its forms and to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators. 
Failure to do so would make it the responsibility of the state. 
The convention leaves no doubt: there can be no real equality between women and men if women experience gender-based violence on a large-scale and state agencies and institutions turn a blind eye.
Because it is not only women who suffer domestic violence, parties to the convention are encouraged to apply the protective framework it creates to men, children and the elderly who are exposed to violence within the family or domestic unit. 
Still, it should not be overlooked that the majority of victims of domestic violence are women and that domestic violence against them is part of a wider pattern of discrimination and inequality.