17/02/2011 Equality and Non-Discrimination
At its meeting of 17 February 2011 the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men unanimously adopted an opinion on the draft Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
The opinion drafted by the Committee’s Chairperson and Rapporteur, Mr Mendes Bota, is the result of a long-term engagement and reflection by the Committee on the issue of violence against women, of Mr Mendes Bota’s participation in the 9 meetings of the Ad hoc committee of negotiators (CAHVIO) as well as of a wide and inclusive consultation process with representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations.
The Committee welcomes the draft Convention as the first international binding instrument specifically devoted to this issue and based on the “4 Ps”: Prevention of violence, Protection of victims, Prosecution of perpetrators but integrated Policies against violence.
The opinion includes several proposals of amendments aimed at enhancing the standards of protection for all women who are victims of gender-based violence. It was debated at the Standing Committee meeting on 11 March 2011 in Paris.
Keywords : Network, violence against women, domestic violence, free from violence, Istanbul Convention