Estonia should quickly ratify Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women

Member of European Parliament, Urmas Paet, said in White Ribbon campaign event in Brussels that Estonia as well as many other countries should urgently ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combationg violence againt Women. “Also school programs need to be complemented in a way that education would be shaped by values approprioate for 21st century,” he added.

According to Paet, violence is not only a problem of developing countries, it is similarly common in highly developed countries, inluding in Europe. “Zero tolerance must apply in this matter and it should be treated as any other serious fraud”, he said.

Paet added that under no circumstances should violence be justified by cultural or traditional differences.

“Estonia could contribute more here as well, for example by ratifying the Istanbul Convention and calling  for other countries to do the same. In addition, more development assistance should be addressed to enhance situation of women in developing countries,” Paet noted.

Urmas Paet has been nominated as a White Ribbon Ambassador in Estonia.