The Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) has released reports analyzing efforts made by Portugal and Sweden in implementing the provisions of the Istanbul Convention. The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) was ratified by Portugal in 2013 and by Sweden in 2014. As noted in GREVIO’s analysis, since the ratification, both countries have put considerable efforts in combating discrimination and violence against women. In addition to highlighting their progress, GREVIO added suggestions for the improvements.

In their findings, GREVIO urges Portugal to pursue better integrated cooperation between institutions and to follow through on convictions against perpetrators of violence against women. Additionally GREVIO advised Portugal to strengthen support for NGOs battling violence against women. The GREVIO report on Portugal can be found in English here.

GREVIO’s recommendations for Sweden focused on improving access to protective measures for migrant, Roma, and Sami women, and women with disabilities. Due to a lack of cooperation between various agencies, vulnerable women and women in minority groups often lack support in the cases of domestic violence. The GREVIO report on Sweden can be found in English here.

Compiled from: GREVIO Publishes its Reports on Portugal and Sweden, Council of Europe (January 21, 2019); Portugal and Violence against Women: Significant Progress but Under-reporting and Low Rates of Convictions, Council of Europe (January 21, 2019); Violence against Women in Sweden: From Legal and Policy Innovation to Blind Spots in Protection and Support for Victims, Council of Europe (January 21, 2019).