Recognising the ongoing human rights violations during armed conflicts that affect the civilian

population, especially women in the form of widespread or systematic rape and sexual violence

and the potential for increased gender-based violence both during and after conflicts;

Recognising that women and girls are exposed to a higher risk of gender-based violence than men;

Recognising that domestic violence affects women disproportionately, and that men may also be

victims of domestic violence;

Recognisingthat children are victims of domestic violence, including as witnesses of violence in the

family;

Aspiring to create a Europe free from violence against women and domestic violence,

Have agreed as follows:

Chapter I – Purposes, definitions, equality and non-discrimination, general obligations

Article 1 – Purposes of the Convention

1 The purposes of this Convention are to:

a protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence

against women and domestic violence;

b contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and promote

substantive equality between women and men, including by empowering women;

c design a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of and assistance

to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence;

d promote international co-operation with a view to eliminating violence against women and

domestic violence;

e provide support and assistance to organisations and law enforcement agencies to effectively

co-operate in order to adopt an integrated approach to eliminating violence against women

and domestic violence.

2 In order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions by the Parties, this Convention

establishes a specific monitoring mechanism.

Article 2 – Scope of the Convention

1 This Convention shall apply to all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence,

which affects women disproportionately.

2 Parties are encouraged to apply this Convention to all victims of domestic violence. Parties shall

pay particular attention to women victims of gender-based violence in implementing the provisions

of this Convention.

3 This Convention shall apply in times of peace and in situations of armed conflict.

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