Tenth Anniversary of the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe – Relevant Aspects

Gasmi, Gordana (2021) Tenth Anniversary of the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe – Relevant Aspects. Nauka i društvo, 8 (1). pp. 34-55. ISSN 2335-0792

Text 2021 - Nauka i društvo - Gasmi.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (421kB)

Abstract

Ten years passed since signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Istanbul. It is the first legally binding instrument recognizing violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women. The aim of the Convention is to ensure zero tolerance in all states towards violence against women and domestic violence. Transformative power of the Convention and its monitoring expert body GREVIO is visible. Over the past ten years, the Convention influenced numerous states in modernization of their legislation and policies of preventing and combating violence against women effectively. Implementation of the Convention especially gains on relevance during pandemic of COVID 19. Challenges in efficient implementation of the Convention indicate the need to ensure the Convention’s aims reach all women and girls. The emerging trend is the lack of intersectional approach to women protection. GREVIO’s general recommendation is furthermore directed to the need for interinstitutional cooperation between governments and NGOs. Sufficient financial resources are needed for state duties’ implementation in effective fight against gender based and domestic violence. Although none of seventeen analyzed countries, parties of the Convention, have not yet applied completely gender equality principles, GREVIO notes promising practices in many countries. Declaration of the of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention acknowledges the major contribution of the Istanbul Convention monitoring mechanism in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence by providing tailored-made guidance as well as opportunities for states parties to learn from each other and exchange on best practices. Special value of the Convention legal standards in the area of fight against gender-based violence and domestic violence, is in its contribution to dismantling globally widespread negative gender stereotypes, which are one of main causes of violence against women.

Actions (login required)

View Item