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include teaching material on equality issues I the curricula at all levels of education co-operate with NGOs, the media and the private sector to reach out to the public

Protection set up specialized support services that provide medical assistance as well as psychological and legal counseling to victims and their children set up shelters in sufficient numbers ad introduce free of charge round-the-clock telephone helplines

Prosecution ensure that VAW is criminalised and appropriately punished ensure that excuses on the grounds of culture, custom, religion or so-called ‘honour’ are unacceptable for any act of violence ensure that victims have access to special protection measures during investigation and judicial proceedings ensure that law enforcement agencies respond immediately to calls for assistance ad manage dangerous situations adequately

Comprehensive policies involve all relevant actors (government agencies, national, regional and local authorities, civil society organizations and many more) The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence was opened to signature on 11 May 2011: 24 countries have already signed it, one has ratified. More than 50% of the member Estates! It will enter into force once 10 countries have ratified it. One ratification is not enough and we need to join efforts to urge governments to ratify this Convention.
For all the reasons listed above, the European Union could and should accede to this Convention. I am sure all stakeholders around this table are well aware of its added value in the fight against violence against women in Europe and worldwide but clear political commitment is needed.

How to promote the Convention? The Network In the ratification process of the Convention, the action of parliamentarians is crucial in order for the Convention not to remain mere words. I am therefore very proud to be the Political coordinator of the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence. This Network is made of 51 men and women who commit themselves on a daily basis and with conviction in their parliaments, working in the field with NGOs to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women.
Major achievements of the Network:
visibility material: newsletter, leaflet poster – we need such tools to reach out parliamentarians but also the general public Participation in human rights film festivals: Throughout Europe, human rights film festivals are being organised and often include films on violence against women and domestic violence. We have contacted directors of these festivals with the idea of Network members participating in discussions following the screening of films about violence against women and domestic violence and raising awareness about the Convention. Handbook: last September, we held a conference in Tirana (Albania) where a handbook for parliamentarians was officially launched. This is an essential tool to better understand the Convention and thus better defend it. Several members of the Network have already taken the initiative to support the translation of the Handbook into their national languages and its promotion in their parliaments. parliamentary seminars: with this Handbook, around the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, 25 November 2012 and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, some Consultar Diário Original