EP delegation urges Hungary to ratify Istanbul Convention

A delegation of the European Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee has visited Hungary and urged ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

The delegation, headed by Maria Noichl of Germany’s Social Democratic Party, aimed to assess the situation in Hungary in terms of sexual and reproductive rights, women’s participation in politics and the economy as well as the situation of Roma women.

After talks with various Hungarian officials, the delegation urged Hungary to ratify the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence without delay. They called attention to the difficult position of NGOs and independent experts fighting for gender equality and said gender stereotypes against women were still very strong, with the government still considering motherhood as the main purpose of women’s lives.

Noichl said they observed with concern that women’s participation in civic affairs were being undermined and it was disturbing that the freedom of universities had become uncertain.

Source: MTI