About the Istanbul convention

The Istanbul Convention — officially the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence — is the first legally binding treaty in Europe dedicated to tackling one of the most widespread human rights violations: gender-based violence and domestic violence.

So why is it controversial? Who’s afraid of it — and why?

This lecture dives deep into the legal, political, and cultural dimensions of the Convention. We’ll explore:

What the Convention actually says?

Who it protects — and how?

Who resists its implementation, and why some governments and groups fear or reject it?

What it means for democracy, human rights, and the future of gender equality in Europe.