Representatives of NGOs from a number of Council of Europe member states met in Strasbourg to discuss progress with signature, ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and exchange views with representatives from different bodies of the organisation. In his opening address, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe highlighted the importance of the Istanbul Convention in particular its impact and real positive change to keep women safe from violence. The Secretary General also addressed concerns that “the Convention may have become, in some situations, a hostage of political internal debates in which the substance, the facts, disappear from the scene and are replaced by slogans and irrational fears”

The event provided an opportunity for participants to discuss their experience around the ratification and the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, challenges they face, the role of international partners as well as strategies to counter misconceptions and misinterpretations (Q&A Brochure) surrounding the Istanbul Convention.