Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality said: "Our proposal today sends a clear message: victims of violence against women must be better protected across Europe. One in three women in the EU has experienced physical or sexual violence, or both. More than half of all women have experienced sexual harassment after the age of 15. These figures are unacceptable and this goes against our values . Today's proposal for the EU to ratify the Istanbul Convention is a step forward both for our fight against violence and in ensuring gender equality . To ensure coherent implementation at all levels, I also call on those Member States who have not yet ratified the Convention to do so swiftly."

The Istanbul Convention recognises violence against women as a human rights violation. It addresses violence against women through measures aimed at preventing violence, protecting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators.

For more information

• Press release
• Proposal for a Council Decision - signing of the Istanbul Convention(160 kB)
• Proposal for a Council Decision - conclusion of the Istanbul Convention(173 kB)
• 2015 Report on equality between women and men in the European Union(2 MB)
• Factsheet (564 kB)
• Violence against women