Concluding our #30daysofMay campaign, Becca Bunce, Rachel Nye and Robyn Boosey from IC Change write on the importance of the Istanbul Convention for ending violence against women.

It is rare that a moment comes along which can offer so much opportunity to change history. But right now there is a very real moment to create this change. And you can join with us in creating it.

The ground feels like it’s shifting beneath our feet right now, and not necessarily for the better. Political and economic unease, high profile reports on gender based violence, and everyday stories from friends, colleagues and loved ones about their struggles can leave us feeling overwhelmed and lacking control.

In the midst of all of the uncertainty, important work is happening to ensure that a law is brought in in the UK to help end violence against women. This law is the Istanbul Convention - or the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

You may not have heard of it. But once you see what it is and what it has the potential to do, you will be as sure as we are that this is needed, now.

On 16 December, we have a unique opportunity to make sure the Government fulfils its promise to ratify the Istanbul Convention. Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP has introduced a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) which would require the UK Government to make the Istanbul Convention law in the UK - if successful.

So what’s stopping this?

We need 100 MPs in the main chamber of Parliament on the morning of Friday 16th December. Easy right? It would seem like an obvious debate and vote to show up for. Not least because this law has significant cross-party support, and when Theresa May was Home Secretary her department led on getting this law through.

But as the 16 December is on a Friday morning - a time when many MPs would normally be in their local constituencies - and so close to Christmas, we need to make sure they have a good reason to stay and vote.

What can we do?

Contact your local MP and tell them why it is so important to show up and support the bill on 16 December. If local people are calling on their MP to stay and take action for them, then they are more likely to do so. Tweet, write or even go to see them. Let them know why a good legal framework to help to end violence against women is important to you.

We know that this is a big topic. But we also know the difference that small groups of people can make. At IC Change this campaign is run completely by volunteers - and supported by the brilliant women’s organisations we so desperately want to secure for the future.

We want to make sure that every woman has the safety she deserves. And that every woman possible has to opportunity to help us to change history for all women and girls in the UK - and to change the individual stories of women and girls across the UK who face violence every day.

We have everything to play for.

If 100 MPs turn up and vote on 16 December, it will pass to the next stage.

Will you contact your MP and ask them to show up and change history on 16 December?