Ms Ivanna Youtchak:

Yes, it is a final point. We are concerned that the current Bill does not clearly outline the mechanisms to ensure meaningful collaboration of CSOs in the performance of the agency’s functions. The National Women's Council would like to see the recommendation of the explanatory report to the Istanbul Convention reflected in the legislation to ensure this. The National Women's Council recommends that the agency not only focuses on CSOs consultation, but to provide that, in performing its functions, the agency collaborates with civil society, including the participation of victims and survivors on planning, implementation and monitoring of DSGBV, including guidelines, protocols, resources, funding and training.

The composition of the board of the agency should reflect this approach as well by including civil society organisations and survivor experience, comprising at least two members of CSOs in the full composition. I have summarised it.