The EU Council of Ministers Thursday approved the 27-member bloc?’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the so-called Istanbul Convention.

The Convention creates a legal framework to protect women against violence. It covers a broad range of measures, from data collection and awareness raising to legal measures on criminalising different forms of violence against women, said the Council in a statement.

“Violence against women is unacceptable and must end. These acts have no place in our societies. The Istanbul Convention is a landmark and a catalyst for action,” commented Swedish Minister for Gender Equality Paulina Brandberg.

“Today?’s decision on the EU?’s accession shows our commitment to stepping up actions against gender-based violence and in support of its victims”, she added.

Sweden currently holds the EU Presidency.

The Istanbul Convention is a human rights treaty of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe opposing violence against women and domestic violence which was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Source: Kuwait News Agency