Latvia promises to bolster laws and support partners to fight violence (updated)

By 2018, Latvia agrees to strengthen its legal framework and accede to the Council of Europe [Istanbul] Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. It will continue supporting other partner countries, including to provide support to local authorities and civil society in Central Asia to fight all forms of violence against women.

Speaking at the Global Leaders' Meeting on 27 September 2015, President Raimonds Vējonis said: “We will continue to provide support to local authorities and civil society in Central Asia… to fight all forms of violence against women.”

Developments since Latvia’s commitment

The Government of Latvia has been focusing on the elimination of domestic violence. Having signed the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), it aims to ratify the Convention. The Government has implemented activities aimed at expert training and public awareness-raising on domestic violence, as well as social rehabilitation services for adult survivors and perpetrators of violence.

Latvia has also worked towards women’s economic empowerment by improving the tax benefit policy to address income inequality. Through flexible child care arrangements, it has worked towards a better balance between work and family life.

Moreover, Latvia committed itself to fight against human trafficking, strengthening the capacities of law enforcement agencies and combating sham marriages. During the last year, law enforcement agencies and relevant non-governmental organizations have achieved considerable results as regards identifying and providing assistance to Latvian girls and women involved in trafficking. Latvia is the leading partner of international project HESTIA “Preventing human trafficking and sham marriages: A multidisciplinary solution”.

Strengthening gender equality in partner countries is one of Latvia’s development cooperation priorities. [ Full update ]