Hi Wonderful 50:50 Campaigners, Yesterday Michelle Thomson MP made a moving speech in the House of Commons about her experience of rape at the age of 14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx9Q1g35J7E. This was a powerful statement and an awesome example of how women in the House of Commons can help break the stigma around violence against women, it is another reason why we need more women at Westminster! Following her speech people have been asking what they can do – and there is something you can do today. 50:50 have an URGENT request from the cross-party, IC Change campaign to support a ‘ground-breaking’ law that will help prevent and combat violence against women. We know you will want to take action to support this. In exactly one week today, on Friday 16 December, MPs have the chance to vote in a life-saving law for women and girls - one that will require the UK Government to make the Istanbul Convention law once and for all in the UK: www.icchange.co.uk/pmb. What is the Istanbul Convention you ask? It is the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. It is the most comprehensive legal framework that exists to tackle violence against women and girls. It is a pragmatic law that does not just sit on paper, but translates into real actions. UN Women have named the Istanbul Convention ‘a gold standard’ for tackling violence against women. Human Rights Watch have called it ‘ground-breaking’. And it has already won awards for its brilliance. Some of the countries that have already ratified the Istanbul Convention are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden. 100 MPs need to show up to ensure this Bill passes through to the next stage… and this is the final working Friday before Christmas, when MPs will be heading back to their constituencies. What can you do? MPs are more likely to listen to their constituents if they ask them to stay to vote. So our friends over at IC Change suggest the following actions: Tweet your MP Find your MP’s twitter here: http://tweetyourmp.com/index.php Suggested tweet: "Hi [Your MP'S Name or Twitter Handle], Please support the #IstanbulConvention Private Member’s Bill on 16 Dec! See http://icchange.co.uk/mpinvite/ Email your MP Find your MP’s address here: https://www.writetothem.com/ And a template letter is available here: http://icchange.co.uk/take-action-and-change-herstory/ To read more about the Istanbul Convention you can go to: www.icchange.co.uk. https://inews.co.uk/essentials/news/politics/istanbul-convention-mps-to-vote-on-groundbreaking-legislation-that-could-eliminate-violence-against-women/ http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/culture/culture-news/news/a38895/mps-call-on-theresa-may-to-implement-istanbul-convention/ Together we can make a difference – and help eliminate violence against women. Please all support IC Change campaign. It will really make a difference! If you want to know a bit more click on the photo to read their guest blog for #5050Parliament, thanks! Have a great weekend. Frances, Apolline, Hannah and #5050Parliament Team PS. Join the conversation on social media via @ICChangeUK and hashtags #ChangeHerstory #IstanbulConvention