After a keynote speech by Nicole Krejci, Managing Director of the Violence Protection Centre Vienna, a high-calibre panel moderated by Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz discussed the issue: criminal law expert Katharina Beclin, the Head of the MEN Health Centre Romeo Bissuti, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Fünfhaus City Police Command Rudolf Herbst and Nicole Krejci.
The Istanbul Convention is the first binding instrument under international law to combat all forms of violence against women (forced marriage, female genital mutilation, etc.) in Europe. "It is important that these binding legal standards exist. Austria is one of the pioneers in their implementation. But that is no reason to sit back and relax, we still have a lot to do," warns Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz, referring to 27 femicides and 41 attempted murders or serious violence against women in Austria this year.
"Women's rights are human rights! As the Austrian Ombudsman Board is the 'House of Human Rights' in Austria, we naturally supported the lecture series 'One in Five' again this year. As a woman and as an Ombudswoman, I am committed to women and their right to a life free of violence," emphasises Gaby Schwarz.
On 11 May 2011, the "Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence" was signed by 13 states, including Austria, in Istanbul. It came into force in Austria on 1 August 2014.
Ombudswoman Gaby Schwarz with participants in the panel discussion