On March 23, 2021, the Academic Senate passed a motion on Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, the 2011 treaty sought by Council of Europe member states to prevent and combat violence against women. The convention, signed by 34 European countries, states that violence against women is a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination. It represents an international standard for women's protection and requires governments to prosecute domestic violence and abuse, marital rape and female genital mutilation.

Sapienza believes that the Turkish Presidency's decision represents an inexplicable step backwards in terms of respect for human rights and the principles of gender equality, which could undermine women's protection in Turkey. It also raises serious concerns about the possible negative consequences at the international level, in a year in which 379 million women worldwide suffered physical and/or sexual violence by their partners.

Our community considers it necessary to reaffirm its commitment against all forms of gender-based violence, inequality and sexist prejudice. We have taken some concrete steps through the approval of the new Code of Conduct in the fight against sexual harassment, which sets out operational guidelines to support gender equality and provide assistance to victims of sexual harassment, and through the introduction of a Confidential Counsellor.