Stop Domestic Violence against Women

As part of this advocacy effort, the COE urges local and regional authorities across Europe to make the fight against violence against women - including violence in the family or domestic unit - a priority, by becoming actively involved in the campaign at their level. Suggestions on how to participate are given on the campaign website, but COE is also working to encourage Parliamentarians to push for the strongest commitment of their national authorities and constituents in whatever ways they see fit. The Congress will organise a conference in 2007 aimed at exploring the different avenues available to local and regional authorities in the fight against violence against women with an emphasis on awareness-raising, protection of victims and training of actors involved with victims such as law enforcement and social services. To facilitate this process, the campaign offers:

• practical information and promotional material to be used by national Parliaments, such as the handbook for Parliamentarians, white ribbons, leaflets, posters, etc. (click here to view some of the campaign materials, in PDF format).
• assistance for national Parliaments seeking to translate informational material into the local language(s) and disseminate it in the country
• help in promoting the campaign, PACE's activities, and good practices in Europe
• access to a network of contact Parliamentarians to identify and highlight the initiatives taken by various national Parliaments during the campaign and thus encourage an exchange of examples of good practice between Parliaments (click here to access this list)

Face-to-face connections have been central to this advocacy effort, from the development stage onward. Following an October 2006 consultation meeting with NGOs involved in the fight against violence against women, the November 27 2006 launching conference included 400 participants such as Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Then, 25 Parliaments across Europe launched the Campaign at national level by organising Parliamentary Days of Action in their respective countries. Other events have taken place; for instance, in January 2007, the Manager of the White Ribbon Campaign met with Parliamentarians to discuss the role of men in combating domestic violence against women. And on International Women's Day (March 8) 2007, hearings will take place to offer an opportunity to all the players involved in combating violence against women to take stock of national legislation. Parliaments are encouraged to engage government representatives and local and regional elected officials, professionals working with the victims (police, courts, social and educational services, medical services, etc.) and NGOs involved in defending human rights and protecting women who are victims of domestic violence; films, talks, exhibitions and other high-profile initiatives are suggested as means of spurring participation in this Day of Action.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are also central to this campaign. For example, in January 2007 the Swiss documentary "Seules avec nos histoires" was screened, followed by a discussion of how the media and Parliamentarians can work together to raise awareness on the issue of combating domestic violence. Details about these and other strategies are available on the campaign website, which also serves as a discussion forum for local and regional elected representatives. The strategy here involves using ICTs to invite the insights of elected representatives at the local and regional level; their closeness to citizens, it is thought, means they can be effective in sharing experiences about awareness-raising and protection and prevention measures that they implement.

Women, Rights.

COE notes that "Violence against women is a detriment to peace, security and democracy in Europe. States have a responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all their citizens. Therefore, states must ensure that they have taken all reasonable measures to prevent, investigate and punish all forms of violence against women, including in the family and domestic unit."