Istanbul, 11.V.2011

The member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto,
Have agreed as follows: 

Chapter I – Purposes, definitions, equality and non-discrimination, general obligations 

Article 1 – Purposes of the Convention 

1. 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.

    2. 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. Parties are encouraged to apply this Convention to all victims of domestic violence. Parties shall pay particular attention to women victims of gender-based violence in implementing the provisions of this Convention. 
3. This Convention shall apply in times of peace and in situations of armed conflict. 

Article 3 – Definitions 

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