Ukraine was called upon to ratify the Istanbul Convention

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine should take steps to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) and take the necessary steps to create a society free of gender-based violence.

The United Nations has made such a call to Ukraine. The text of the appeal is published on the website of the UN Office in Ukraine.

“Violence against women and girls is not just a violation of human rights; it is destroying the lives of women and their families across the country. In Ukraine, women make up 86% of rape victims and 78% of victims of domestic violence. The devastating effects of violence against women are obvious; but the detrimental impact on the family, the community, the economy and on the development of the country as a whole is less obvious,” the statement said.

It is noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, under the pressure of rising unemployment and financial problems, self-isolation and lack of social interaction, the level of domestic violence is growing at an alarming rate.

The UN reminded that back in 2017, in the final comments to the 8th periodic report of Ukraine, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) noted the crucial role of the legislature in ensuring full implementation of the Istanbul Convention. In 2018, the Government of Ukraine approved the National Action Plan to implement the recommendations proposed in these comments.

Ukraine signed the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) in 2011, but has not yet ratified it.