Nadia Murad Addresses Council of Europe on the Importance of the Istanbul Convention

On June 23rd, Nadia spoke at the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention). Ten years ago, the Council of Europe adopted the Istanbul Convention to promote gender equality, uphold women’s human rights, and end violence against women and girls.

As Nadia said in her speech, “In order to prevent sexual violence in times of war, we must create a strong foundation of gender equality in times of peace. It is our duty as global citizens to collectively ensure the human rights of women and girls. Their safety, their respect, and their humanity depend on all of us. We cannot let them down.”

Read her full remarks below:

For every setback our societies face, women are forced ten steps back. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of exploitation and brutality against women worldwide. Since the pandemic began, numerous countries have seen drastic increases in reports of domestic violence. 

The few resources designated for prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation are being stretched thin. As a result, women’s health and safety are on the line. It is now difficult for many women to access psychosocial support, healthcare, and safe shelter. For communities affected by conflict and displacement, these effects are often compounded.

At a time when we should be fortifying women’s rights, it is concerning to see support for the Istanbul Convention moving in the opposite direction. Now is not the time to back down. It is time to step up and prioritize the safety and wellbeing of women everywhere.

I have experienced first-hand the consequences of weakening international human rights protections. The promises of “never again” and the “responsibility to protect” were forgotten when the world watched ISIS commit genocide against my people, the Yazidis of Iraq.

As a result, sexual violence was used as a weapon of war. This violence was undeniably gendered. The abuse of women was used as an attempt to destroy my community from within. Sadly, the international community is still falling short in providing comprehensive support to survivors and rescuing the 2,800 Yazidi women and children who remain in ISIS captivity.

The Istanbul Convention has the potential to make meaningful change for survivors like Yazidis and women around the world by shifting the international norms around gender-based violence. The Convention has already helped identify ways to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach.

For example, economic empowerment allows survivors to reclaim their livelihoods and positions women to be less susceptible to exploitation. Collecting data on gender-based violence provides a clear picture of the immediate need for services, as well as an understanding of the patterns of abuse. Accountability for sexual violence can facilitate healing and justice for survivors and also prevent future crimes by sending a clear message that perpetrators will not receive impunity.

The Council of Europe brought global attention to the issue of gender-based violence by passing the Istanbul Convention. You cannot now look away from what you correctly identified as one of the most dangerous and pervasive human rights violations.

The gravity of this issue demands that it be addressed at every level: in international bodies such as this, in your national governments, and in our communities. One solution will not work for everyone. Throughout the world, different socio, economic, and political circumstances impact women’s rights and require different solutions.

Compounding factors such as race, religion, class, and access to healthcare, education, and employment pose unique hurdles. That is why it is so critical that local communities, especially survivors, be empowered with the tools and resources to lead preventative and responsive measures that are adapted to their specific needs.

In closing, I ask you to consider this: preventing gender-based violence does not deplete a community, it strengthens it and provides a foundation for success. This success starts with gender equality - one that includes the support and participation of men and boys.  

In order to prevent sexual violence in times of war, we must create a strong foundation of gender equality in times of peace. It is our duty as global citizens to collectively ensure the human rights of women and girls. Their safety, their respect, and their humanity depend on all of us. We cannot let them down.

Thank you so much.