Because every woman or girl deserves to live in security, the fight against domestic violence and abuse must be pursued no matter what. Everywhere in Europe, we must give women the means and the courage to speak out against their attackers. This is about our mothers, our sisters, our daughters. So please share to show how much you care!

S&D Euro MPs this week secured a strong majority for a resolution calling on the EU to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women, otherwise known as ‘The Istanbul Convention’.

The resolution also calls on the EU to step up its actions on combatting violence against women through the adoption of an EU law. The aim would be to strengthen the European response in addition to classifying violence against women as a particularly serious crime within the EU treaties.

S&D Group spokeswoman on women's rights and gender equality, Marie Arena MEP, said:

“Today we have sent a strong and clear message to the Council and the Commission: Half-hearted delivery is no longer acceptable. A third of all women in Europe have suffered physical or sexual violence; EU action is long overdue!

“Eradicating violence against women has always been an S&D priority and we are happy that this resolution received such broad support. The ratification of the Istanbul Convention would be a step in the right direction. Women have the right to feel safe and protected, no matter where in the EU they are living.”

S&D Group negotiator on the resolution, Christine Revault d'Allonnes-Bonnefoy MEP, added:

“It is an outrage that only half of EU member states have ratified the Istanbul Convention. Violence against women and girls is a terrible scourge that is ravaging Europe and the entire world. The EU must act urgently!

“Ratifying the Istanbul Convention is crucial, but not enough. That is why we fought so hard to also get the resolution to include a call for a European Directive combatting and preventing violence against women and girls. In a situation where only a third of female victims of violence choose to go to the police, and where most of the perpetrators of violence against women do not get prosecuted, we want there to be no doubt that the EU and European nations stand up for women’s rights.”

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