Using the Istanbul Convention as an instrument to promote greater equality between women and men. 

With the aim of breaking the cycle of gender inequality and women’s continuous exposure to gender-based violence, the Council of Europe adopted in 2011 its Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, which opened for signature in Istanbul in May 2011 (Istanbul Convention). Its measures are firmly based on the premise that violence against women cannot be eradicated without investing in greater equality between women and men and that in turn, only real equality between women and men and a change in power dynamics and attitudes can truly prevent violence against women.