The Government approved the bill to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, IPN reports.
The document was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on May 11, 2011. This is broadly recognized as the most comprehensive legal instrument for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.
The Convention is based on the understanding that violence against women is a form of gender-based violence that is committed against women because they are women. It is the obligation of the state to fully address it in all its forms and to take measures to prevent violence against women, protect its victims and prosecute the perpetrators.
The signatory states undertake to allocate resources for creating crisis centers for victims of rape, shelters for victims of domestic violence and psychological rehabilitation and legal advice services.
