Fact Check: "Istanbul Convention do promote to increase the awareness of gender based violence affecting women as human rights abuse"
What We Know
The Istanbul Convention, formally known as the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, explicitly recognizes violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women. It addresses various forms of gender-based violence, which includes violence directed against women because they are women or violence that disproportionately affects them (Key facts about the Istanbul Convention).
The Convention mandates that signatory states take comprehensive measures to prevent violence, protect victims, and prosecute offenders. This includes obligations such as awareness-raising campaigns, data collection, and the establishment of support services for victims (The Istanbul Convention: A tool to tackle violence against women).
Furthermore, the Istanbul Convention is noted for being the first international treaty to define gender as a socially constructed category, linking the achievement of gender equality to the eradication of violence against women (Promoting Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in ECA).
Analysis
The claim that the Istanbul Convention promotes awareness of gender-based violence as a human rights abuse is supported by multiple credible sources. The Convention itself outlines a framework that not only addresses the legal aspects of violence against women but also emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about these issues (THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION – A POWERFUL TOOL TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include official documents from the Council of Europe and reputable organizations like Amnesty International. The Council of Europe is a well-established human rights organization, and its documents are designed to inform and guide member states in implementing human rights standards (The Istanbul Convention: Turkey's Withdrawal from Its Own Women's Rights Legacy).
However, it is important to note that the Convention has faced criticism and opposition in some countries, notably Turkey, which withdrew from the agreement in 2021. Critics argue that such withdrawals undermine efforts to combat gender-based violence (Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention rallies the fight for women’s rights across the world). This context highlights the ongoing debates surrounding the Convention's implementation and the political challenges it faces.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The Istanbul Convention indeed promotes awareness of gender-based violence as a human rights abuse. The Convention's provisions explicitly recognize violence against women as a violation of human rights and mandate measures to raise awareness, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. The evidence from credible sources supports this claim, affirming the Convention's role in advancing gender equality and combating violence against women.
Sources
- Key facts about the Istanbul Convention - Istanbul Convention
- THE ISTANBUL CONVENTION – A POWERFUL TOOL TO END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
- The Istanbul Convention: A tool to tackle violence against women
- Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention rallies the fight for women’s rights across the world
- Promoting Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in ECA
- The Istanbul Convention: Turkey's Withdrawal from Its Own Women's Rights Legacy