Equality is the true traditional value

Why the Istanbul Convention is not a threat to the family

The news that Latvia wants to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which aims to protect women against violence, has deeply affected me. What particularly bothers me is the  false dichotomy that is being created here. Opponents of the treaty argue that it would undermine 'traditional values'. Parties in Latvia supporting the withdrawal even claim that the treaty promotes 'radical feminism' and 'gender ideology'.

I want to be very clear about this: protecting women against violence and upholding valuable, traditional family principles are  absolutely not contradictory—they are inextricably linked.

Equality: the cornerstone of Christian family values

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I consider the traditional values – which I find important – not as a reason to weaken women's rights. On the contrary. The core of what we believe is that  man and woman are primarily equal and complement each other.

This fundamental principle is the most powerful defense against any form of inequality or violence:

• When partners see each other as equals, there is  no place for violence, humiliation, or tearing down one or the other.
• There is also  no need for extremes. There is then no room for  exaggerated feminism that condemns the man, nor for  toxic masculinity that wants to dominate the woman. The only space that remains is to build each other up and support each other, exactly as Christ teaches us.
• This principle is the essence of the 'The family: a proclamation to the world, an inspiring teaching of our church. It emphasizes how crucial the family is as the place where we support each other, compensate for each other's mistakes, and together can grow in love and closer to God.

The abuse of ‘traditional values’

It is a dangerous deception when important values, such as family or tradition, are  abused as a political shield to reverse achievements that are essential for a just society.

The Istanbul Convention obliges countries to develop a policy against  all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence. This is about protecting the most vulnerable in society. The Latvian parliamentary decision to reverse the ratification of the convention, which was adopted by a majority of votes  , according to some opponents, even serves Russian interests, by bringing Latvia closer to Russia's line in terms of values, law, and governance than to that of the EU and Western countries..

This kind of politics drives us towards a  false dichotomy.

It's about a healthy balance

Women's rights are fundamental, and women should never be subordinate to men. But this must always happen in a  healthy balance, based on mutual respect and equality.

We must avoid the pitfall of  exaggeration in any direction. Exaggeration always leads to a counterproductive backlash, as we now see in Latvia, where this debate divides the Baltic country  and where thousands of people demonstrated against the withdrawal. A healthy dialogue and a focus on the core —  mutual respect and equality — are the only way forward.

My opinion is that the true and most current tradition consists of building relationships in which man and woman, in their unique but equal roles, uplift each other. That is the antidote to violence and and inequality. And that is the strongest foundation for every family.