Feminist diplomacy: against the scourge of gender violence, let’s act now!

In all societies of the world, women suffer not only from stigma, but also from exclusion and abuse. Terrible reality: one in three women on the planet is exposed to physical or sexual violence from her partner or a third party. It is not a North-South, East-West question, but a universal drama that affects all countries.

Moreover, in recent years there has been a disturbing resurgence of conservative “anti-rights” movements in a growing number of countries, which react violently to new advances in women’s rights. These setbacks can also be the result of brutal and repressive measures taken by states themselves against women, as we have seen very clearly in Iran in recent months.

Faced with this alarming situation, Germany, France and Argentina commit to an ambitious feminist foreign policy. We work together on the multilateral stage to advance the recognition and full exercise of women’s rights. under the Generation Equality Forum, France and Argentina co-chair the Action Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Germany is also working to build bridges between countries and regions, involving civil society, through the Women’s Rights Network “UNIDAS”, which includes many very committed Argentine women.

Globally, one of the most significant achievements of recent years in the fight against gender-based violence has been the adoption of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence – the Istanbul Convention. It is the most comprehensive international legal instrument and one of the few binding international instruments to prevent and combat this violence, as well as to guarantee the protection of victims and bring perpetrators to justice. This convention, open to universal ratification, entered into force in 2014 and currently has 37 States parties, including Germany and France. Its application has improved legislation, support services, professional training and awareness of gender violence.

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Hey, On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the French and German governments want to invite Argentina to join this historic treaty. Argentina’s commitment to the fight for the defense of women’s rights is exemplary and, in many respects, it has already done more than we have. We welcome your advanced and extensive legislation on these issues, such as the integral protection law to prevent, punish and eradicate gender violence, the landmark law that legalizes the voluntary termination of pregnancy, or the Micaela law, which establishes innovative way the mandatory gender policy training for all civil servants.

We see Argentina as a key global partner in our common struggle for greater justice and gender equality. Given its profile as an internationally recognized pioneer, Argentina could play a central role, in the region and in the world, by setting an example and convincing other countries, more silent or less proactive, to sign the Istanbul Convention.

Victims can’t wait any longer. We must act urgently and together.

* Ulrich Sante, German Ambassador to Argentina and Claudia Scherer-Effosse, French Ambassador to Argentina

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