Latvia, through the vote of the Union of Greens and Farmers Party, is withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention, contesting the definition of gender and considering national legislation sufficient.

The Istanbul Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe, defines violence against women as a violation of human rights and aims to combat gender-based violence. However, the Union of Greens and Farmers party in Latvia voted alongside the opposition to withdraw from the convention, contrary to the government's will. The opposition argued that the act introduces a definition of gender as a social construct, believing that national legislation is sufficient to combat gender violence. Parliament member Gunars Gutris stated that the withdrawal will not affect domestic violence, noting that protection already exists in Latvian legislation. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa criticized the decision and participated in a protest where citizens demanded the retention of the state in the convention. Latvia ratified the treaty in 2023, becoming the second state, after Turkey, to withdraw from it.