Della Vedova: Istanbul Convention, Italy’s reference point for combating gender violence

Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova took part today in the resettlement meeting, within the framework of the Government formed by Mario Draghi, of the Steering Committee provided for by the National Strategic Plan on male violence against women.
The Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family, Elena Bonetti, has the function of programming, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying the National Strategic Plan on the subject.
 
In his speech, Deputy Minister Della Vedova expressed deep appreciation for the initiatives taken by Minister Bonetti to fight violence against women, at a time when the consequences of the pandemic exacerbate their vulnerability, and for the decision of putting women at the core of the recovery measures, including in the area of economic empowerment. Della Vedova then welcomed the introduction of support for women’s entrepreneurship in the recently launched National Recovery and Resilience Plan, intending to foster their independence.
 
The Deputy Minister reminded that to combat gender-based violence, the reference framework for the Italian action is the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, unfortunately often under attack by various countries, including European ones. Della Vedova also expressed his hope for a prompt completion of the European Union accession process.
“The recent withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention, signed in the Turkish metropolis ten years ago and first ratified by Turkey, has inflicted a severe blow to the campaign against violence against women. Such decision directly affects women, girls and the Turkish society as a whole, but also hurts all of us who believe in this campaign and are fully committed, each in our own sphere of activity”, said the Deputy Minister.
 
The Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (November 2021-May 2022) will open on the tenth anniversary of the Istanbul Convention. Among its priorities, there is the fight against gender-based violence, the promotion of gender equality and the full affirmation of women’s rights and role.