CETS 210 – Violence against women and domestic violence, 11.V.2011 __________________________________________________________________________________ Recognising the structural nature of violence against women as gender-based violence, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men; Recognising, with grave concern, that women and girls are often exposed to serious forms of violence such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, forced marriage, crimes committed in the name of so-called “honour” and genital mutilation, which constitute a serious violation of the human rights of women and girls and a major obstacle to the achievement of equality between women and men; Recognising the ongoing human rights violations during armed conflicts that affect the civilian population, especially women in the form of widespread or systematic rape and sexual violence and the potential for increased gender-based violence both during and after conflicts; Recognising that women and girls are exposed to a higher risk of gender-based violence than men; Recognising that domestic violence affects women disproportionately, and that men may also be victims of domestic violence; Recognising that children are victims of domestic violence, including as witnesses of violence in the family; Aspiring to create a Europe free from violence against women and domestic violence, Have agreed as follows: Chapter I – Purposes, definitions, equality and non-discrimination, general obligations Article 1 – Purposes of the Convention 1 2 The purposes of this Convention are to: a protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence; b contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and promote substantive equality between women and men, including by empowering women; c design a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of and assistance to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence; d promote international co-operation with a view to eliminating violence against women and domestic violence; e provide support and assistance to organisations and law enforcement agencies to effectively co-operate in order to adopt an integrated approach to eliminating violence against women and domestic violence. In order to ensure effective implementation of its provisions by the Parties, this Convention establishes a specific monitoring mechanism. Article 2 – Scope of the Convention 1 This Convention shall apply to all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, which affects women disproportionately. 2