National Rapporteur Mechanism on gender-based violence

Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. Every third woman in Germany experiences physical and/or sexual violence at least once in her lifetime. Human rights treaties such as the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – oblige Germany to prevent gender-based violence, protect those affected by this form of violence and prosecute perpetrators. It has been in force in Germany since 1st February 2018.

The task of the “National Rapporteur Mechanism on gender-based violence” which forms part of the German Institute for Human Rights is to critically monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Istanbul Convention (comp. Art. 10 IC). Therefore, it collects data nationwide, assess political processes and raises awareness of the issue.

The Concept for two National Rapporteur Mechanisms on gender-based violence and trafficking in human beings describes the following objectives and purposes in more detail:

• Critically monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Istanbul-Convention
• Reveal trends and developments using data
• Develop practice-oriented recommendations
• Inform, raise awareness and encourage discussion

Using data and evidence-based monitoring as well as the observation of legislation and jurisprudence, the independent National Rapporteur Mechanism develops practice-oriented recommendations for action for politics, administration, and the judiciary so that gender-based violence can be prevented and combated more effectively and women and girls can be protected in a more targeted manner. The independent National Rapporteur Mechanism works closely with civil society and promotes public discourse on gender-based violence. With the information and findings, it publishes, it supports the federal government with regard to its reporting obligations at national and international level. It will publish its first Periodic Report on gender-based violence in Germany in 2024.

In addition, the National Rapporteur Mechanism on gender-based violence monitors the legislative situation and case law and collects court decisions relevant to the work of the judiciary, legal profession, administration, and counselling centres in the database “ius gender & violence”. It works closely with civil society and promotes public discourse on gender-based violence. The published information and findings support the Federal Government with regard to its reporting obligations laid down in the Istanbul Convention at national and international level.

Link to the Concept for two National Rapporteur Mechanisms on gender-based violence and trafficking in human beings.

Main areas of focus

• Domestic violence
• Sexualised violence
• Digital violence
• Promotion of political debates and the public discourses on annual themes:
  2023: Custody and visitation rights
  2024: Protection and support services

Working methods

The focus of the work is on data-based monitoring using human rights indicators. The National Rapporteur Mechanism works with an interdisciplinary team of legal and social scholars and a data analyst.

The work of the National Rapporteur Mechanism on gender-based violence is supported by an interdisciplinary advisory board.