European Coalition letter to Secretary General of the Council of Europe

The End FGM European Network, as part of the European Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls, wrote a letter to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to reaffirm full support for and confidence in the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention. We urge the Council of Europe to undertake efforts to dispel mischaracterizations of the Convention and its aims in various member states. We also urge all member states of the Council of Europe and the European Union to ratify the Istanbul Convention as soon as possible.

It is vitally important that the progress already made be continued, to prevent the situation for women and girls from becoming increasingly more severe. The Coalition will continue to advocate for the effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention, which will truly make a difference in the lives of the over 400 million women across Europe.

All women and girls deserve a life free from violence and have a right to safety.

Read full PDF here.