10 | - Número: 006 | 30 de Outubro de 2012

Then, I had the privilege to represent the Parliamentary Assembly in the Council of Europe Ad Hoc Committee on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This Committee employed considerable time and resources (nearly 2 years) to draft a comprehensive, innovative and ambitious Convention.
In my capacity as General Rapporteur, I monitor the situation in Council of Europe member States, represent the Assembly in official events, regularly report back to the Committee on Equality and NonDiscrimination and closely cooperate with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Mr Jean-Claude Mignon.

The Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence” I am also the Political Coordinator of the Parliamentary Network “Women Free from Violence”. The Network was first set up in the context of the 2006-2008 Campaign. Over this period, some 40 national parliaments conducted more than 200 activities to condemn violence, raise awareness among parliamentarians and the general public, amend the laws, better protect victims and effectively prosecute the perpetrators.
With its Resolution 1635 (2008) on Combating violence against women: towards a Council of Europe Convention, the Assembly decided that the Network would continue its work, since it was instrumental in enhancing information-sharing amongst parliamentarians and co-ordinating joint actions.
The Network is currently composed of 51 members of the parliamentary delegations of member and observer states to the Parliamentary Assembly, as well as of the delegations of Partners for Democracy (Morocco and the Palestinian Legislative Council). Network members meet during the part-sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg to discuss with activists, practitioners and experts on the different aspects of the Convention and all forms of violence.
Members take their commitment to combating violence against women back home and launch activities at the national level so as to promote the Convention. They are also invited to participate in human rights film festivals and debates on violence against women, using every opportunity to raise awareness and knowledge on the Convention. Visibility material, such as a newsletter, a leaflet and poster, has been developed to help them in their activities.
In September this year, the Network held a conference in Tirana where a handbook for parliamentarians was officially launched. This Handbook is an essential tool to better understand the Convention and is not only addressed to parliamentarians but to all activists. Several Network members have already taken the initiative to support the translation of the Handbook into their national languages. Its English and French versions are available on the website of the Network.
Another Network activity is the organisation of parliamentary seminars around the International Day for the elimination of violence against women on 25 November and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. Several Network members will organise seminars in their national parliaments to raise knowledge of the Convention and call for ratification. Each seminar will include a general presentation of the Convention, its added value, an overview of the main aspects of the national legislation and questions and answers with parliamentarians and relevant ministers. I am planning the organisation of an event on 3 December in Lisbon.

Concluding remarks Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished participants, All forces have to be joined so as to combat violence against women and domestic violence in the most efficient way and at every level, from the homes to the national parliaments and international organisations.
Members of governments, parliamentarians, civil servants, NGO representatives, social workers and citizens, we all share a responsibility to act against violence against women and domestic violence and to ensure that women can enjoy their rights and a full equality. We cannot think that equality has been achieved if a part of the population continues being discriminated against. Similarly, we cannot consider that we live in full democracy if violence prevents women from enjoying their rights. Freeing women from violence is part of combating for a full democracy.