II SÉRIE-D — NÚMERO 7

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in Italy, the main political parties reached political agreement on a prompt ratification of the convention,

which was finalised in 2013 with a unanimous vote by both chambers of parliament (this was the first legislative

act of parliament following the general election of February 2013);

after the seminar, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the convention; the parliament ratified it in July

2013;

in Belgium, the seminar highlighted that there was political agreement on ratification; the process is

underway, even if it might take time due to the country’s federal structure.

43. In the light of these successful results, I think that the way forward for the Parliamentary Network

“Women Free from Violence” in the medium term (for the next two years) is expanding its membership and

intensifying its work.

7.1. Expansion

44. To date, the Network counts 42 members, of whom 39 are from Council of Europe member States; 2

from observer States; and 1 from a parliament holding the status of partner for democracy. The objective is for

every parliament which is represented in the Assembly (including those holding observer or partner for

democracy status) to have one representative in the Network via a member of the national delegation.

45. In addition, following the active involvement of members of the European Parliament in Network

activities, and contacts established with parliamentarians from Latin America during the CSW 7 in March 2013,

I would like to suggest that the Network sets up a status of “Network friends”. This would enable the Network to

have a greater outreach capacity, to exchange good practice and experience with other parliamentarians, and

to have the chance of influencing legislation and policy on violence against women also outside Council of

Europe member States. “Network friends” could be engaged in networking activities thanks to Facebook or

other social media, and could be partners in the organisation of events.

7.2. Deepening

46. The Network should strengthen its activities at national level, empowering its members and giving them

appropriate tools to organise national events to promote the Istanbul Convention and raise awareness about

violence against women in general.

47. The organisation of national events around 25 November 2012 proved to be successful, and could be

replicated in 2013 and the coming years. In addition, other activities could be undertaken, focusing on two main

directions:

7.2.1. Information and awareness raising of the general public:

the Network could establish a link with national human rights film festivals by ensuring that films on

violence against women are included in the programme and that a debate on the issue is organised on the

occasion of the projection, with the participation of Network members and distribution of information material on

the Istanbul Convention;

in addition to the Facebook page, the possibility of using other social media should be explored;

subject to the availability of extra-budgetary resources, a media campaign could be organised every

year in the context of the “16 days of activism on gender-based violence”, with Network members participating

in television debates, blogs, social media discussions, giving interviews and writing articles on violence against

women and the Istanbul Convention.