Our political commitment is based on four international human rights standards, which form the basis for women's and human rights, gender-just peace policies and sustainable development. We are committed to their effective implementation, internationally and in Switzerland.

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence – known as the Istanbul Convention – addresses gender-based and domestic violence in Europe and enforces the rights of victims of violence to support and protection. It defines gender-based violence as a human rights violation and a form of discrimination. The Convention entered into force in 2014; Switzerland ratified it in 2017. Civil society plays a significant role in monitoring its implementation.

We are a member of the civil society platform Agenda 2030, which monitors Switzerland's implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Our particular focus lies on Sustainable Development Goals 5 on gender equality and 16 on peaceful and inclusive societies.

Interview with our director Flurina Derungs on 25 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on women's rights and gender equality and 20 years of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security" (2020).

Together with our network partners and like-minded civil society organisations, we take a public stand on peace-related issues and on violations of women's and human rights, hold decision-makers accountable and raise our voices in solidarity with our partners when they demand compliance with international human rights standards in their countries.