In March 2026, the Istanbul Convention Alliance (BIK) – an alliance of over 20 civil society organizations, including the Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK) – a statement on Germany's response The questionnaire of the Committee of the Parties was published. The alliance arrives at a sobering conclusion: The German government's positive self-portrayal largely does not correspond to reality.
Between aspiration and reality
Germany's response to the 2022 recommendations of the Committee of the Parties is initially impressive in its scope – but the BIK (Federal Institute for Climate Impact Research) clarifies: Many measures are based on temporary or already completed projects, and sustainable financing is lacking. New laws such as the „Violence Support Services Act“ While these measures are welcome, the BIK warns that the simultaneous expansion of the legal mandate – for example through mandatory measures – is problematic. perpetrator counseling – coupled with the current trend of municipalities withdrawing from funding local violence prevention systems, this is leading to an increasing strain on the existing support system. A intersectionality Under these conditions, preventative violence protection measures and the urgently needed interface work can hardly be carried out.
Key criticisms
In its statement, the BIK identifies specific gaps in the implementation of the Istanbul Convention:
Protection gaps for marginalized groups: TIN* people, women with DisabilitiesRefugee and homeless women are sometimes explicitly or effectively excluded from the Violence Assistance Act and other protective measures.
Lack of binding force in the violence prevention strategy: Intersectional perspectives are neglected, the financing of many measures is not secured – and with each new government, the strategy is once again up for debate.
Insufficient funding for specialized support services: Lack of safeguards for specialized support services: Neither the financing of NGOs nor the expansion of specialized protection and advisory services is permanently secured.
Gaps in data collection and research: Particularly vulnerable groups, such as homeless or drug-using women, are not included in studies like LeSuBiA.
Custody and visitation rights: The protection needs of children and mothers affected by violence are not sufficiently taken into account in family court proceedings – pseudoscientific concepts such as the “Parental Alienation Syndrome” continue to have a detrimental effect on those affected.
FHK supports the statement
As a member of the Istanbul Convention Alliance, the Women's Shelter Coordination Association (FHK) supports the assessments presented in the statement. The insights gained from daily work in women's shelters and specialized counseling centers confirm that without adequately funded, accessible, and intersectional structures, protection against gender-based violence remains incomplete.
The full statement is available for download here:
Quality recommendations
Current women's shelter statistics
