Combating all forms of violence against women and girls is a core element of the respect for fundamental rights. The Council has repeatedly expressed its commitment in this sense, as indicated in the conclusions it adopted in 2010[1], 2012[2] and 2014[3].

By the signing of the Istanbul Convention, which took place in Strasbourg on 13 June 2017, the Council has expressed its intent to proceed with the conclusion of the Convention[4]. The scope of the accession is the result of discussions which took place between March 2016 and May 2017 and the decision making process in the Council.

The Council is currently discussing the arrangements between the Member States and the EU institutions for the implementation of the Convention. It is not in a position to provide further details at this stage.

Even before the signing of the Istanbul Convention, the Council called on the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Member States, in accordance with their respective competences, to promote cooperation between the EU and its Member States, such as the carrying out and supporting of long-term awareness-raising activities through, for instance, education and training programmes to combat discriminatory traditional, cultural and social norms, challenging prevalent sexist stereotypes and social stigmatisation which legitimise and perpetuate violence against women, and increasing protection given to women who are victims of violence when exercising their right to free movement in the European Union[5].

• [1] Council Conclusions on the eradication of violence against women in the European Union (6585/10).
• [2] Council Conclusions on combating violence against women, and the provision of support services for victims of domestic violence (17444/12).
• [3] Council Conclusions on preventing and combating all forms of violence against women, including female genital mutilation (9543/14).
• [4] 12913/17.
• [5] 17444/12, paragraphs 31 and 34.