What is the Istanbul Convention and why is it relevant to the Grey House for Women?

The Istanbul Convention is an international treaty of the Council of Europe adopted in 2011 that aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. It sets an employment rate of 75% for Houses for women, ensuring an immediate reception capacity in the event of a crisis. The Grey debate emerges because employment has reached 91%, exceeding the international benchmark and limiting the availability of jobs for new women at risk.

Why is there a discrepancy between 91% and 77% employment?

The Women's House's annual report calculates occupancy per bed, while the cantonal government calculates it per room. When a woman arrives with children, they share the same room and apartment; therefore, the 'per room' method provides lower occupancy. The new Board of Trustees would have changed the method without communicating it in advance to the canton, generating disagreement.

Who are the main guests of the Grey House for Women?

According to State Councillor Caduff, 80% of the guests come from other Swiss cantons, while only 20% are residents of Graubünden. This figure is central to the government's justification for refusing to increase cantonal funding, as the canton claims it does not have to take on people from other regions.

What are the other anti-violence services in the Graubünden besides the Women's House?

In addition to the House for Women, Graubünden offers the forensic nursing service at the Cantonal Hospital of Chur (among the first in German Switzerland), a counselling service for children and adolescents, the number 142 of Victim Aid (active since 2026) and a new cantonal law on domestic violence under discussion in Parliament (scheduled for submission in October).

What does the loss of 182,000francs recorded by the House for Women mean?

The House for Women registered a financial deficit of almost 182,000francs in 2025 despite having a very high employment (91%). This suggests that operating costs (personnel, services, materials) significantly exceed the revenues from hospitality fees. Without private donations and volunteer work, the facility could not function according to its annual report.

Graubünden, Women's House funding: application rejected (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 27 August 2026

Grisons cantonal parliament chamber during plenary session discussing women's shelter funding

The Greater Graubünden Council faces 91% employment in the Women's House: MP Bischof requests more funding, the government refuses.

Context

In a nutshell

Occupation of the House for Grisonese women reaches 91% in 2025
Recorded a loss of 182 thousand francs despite the high filling
Additional funding request rejected by the cantonal government

Key facts

What: Request for additional funding for the Women's House
Who: Xenia Bischof (PS) vs. Marcus Caduff (Centro)
Where: Grand Council of Graubünden
When: Current session (August 2026)
Employment: 91% (annual report) vs. 77% (government)
Annual loss: CHF 182,000
Guests: 80% from other cantons, 20% from Graubünden

During the current session of the Grand Council of Graubünden, MP Xenia Bischof of the Socialist Party presented an interpellation calling on the government to review the funding of the Cantonal Women's House. The request stemmed from the structure's 2025 annual report, which raised an alarm: the occupancy of available seats reached 91%, while last year the House recorded a loss of almost 182,000francs.

The annual report underlines that "even with the sheltered posts occupied almost completely, the management of the facility is far from fully funded by the public body. Without the many donations, the Women's House could not be run. ”

The Istanbul Convention, an international treaty of the Council of Europe adopted in 2011 to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence, provides

Operational details

The debate around the Grey House for Women reveals a methodological contrast and an unresolved question of federal responsibility. The discrepancy between 91% and 77% employment is not merely technical: it reflects different views on how to measure the effectiveness of a protection structure and, consequently, the funding needs.

The Istanbul Convention sets 75% as a sustainable employment benchmark, suggesting that maintaining an available reception capacity is essential to ensure timely protection for women in crisis situations. 91% employment leaves little operational and organisational margin. However, Caduff pointed out that the calculation method per room (rather than per bed) lowers the figure to 77%, aligning it closer to the international standard.

The structural problem highlighted by the House concerns both the operational financing and the post-hosting phase. The loss of CHF 182,000 in 2025 is significant because it represents a deficit despite very high employment. This suggests that the operating costs (qualified staff, support services, medicines, food) exceed the revenues from the rates of the hosted.

The theme of continuity of care

A critical aspect that emerged from the debate is the absence of an offer for the period after the stay in the House for women. Caduff acknowledged that this is “a theme that is at the top of our

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Key points

For those seeking assistance in the event of domestic violence in Switzerland, the service landscape is articulated at various federal and cantonal levels. Although the debate on Graubünden reveals organisational shortcomings, there are paths to protection and support that are important to know.

How to request help: the available channels

Those who are in a situation of domestic violence can go directly to a Women's House in their canton. In the case of the Graubünden, the House for Graubünden women welcomes women and children, providing immediate protection and advice. Access is typically through direct contact with the House, referral by healthcare professionals (hospitals, general practitioners) or contact through cantonal social services.

The number 142 of the Aid to Victims, available from Graubünden from 2026, represents a channel of first contact at the cantonal level. This service provides information, emotional support and guidance towards appropriate resources. Those who have suffered violence and wish to document what happened for legal purposes can use the forensic nursing service at the Cantonal Hospital of Chur, which collects medical evidence that can be used later in judicial proceedings.

The role of cantonal and federal services

Each Swiss canton is responsible for organising the provision of protection and assistance for victims of domestic violence. However, the Grayish debate shows that

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Source: swissinfo.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Istanbul Convention and why is it relevant to the Grey House for Women?: The Istanbul Convention is an international treaty of the Council of Europe adopted in 2011 that aims to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. It sets an employment rate of 75% for Houses for women, ensuring an immediate reception capacity in the event of a crisis. The Grey debate emerges because employment has reached 91%, exceeding the international benchmark and limiting the availability of jobs for new women at risk.
Why is there a discrepancy between 91% and 77% employment?: The Women's House's annual report calculates occupancy per bed, while the cantonal government calculates it per room. When a woman arrives with children, they share the same room and apartment; therefore, the 'per room' method provides lower occupancy. The new Board of Trustees would have changed the method without communicating it in advance to the canton, generating disagreement.
Who are the main guests of the Grey House for Women?: According to State Councillor Caduff, 80% of the guests come from other Swiss cantons, while only 20% are residents of Graubünden. This figure is central to the government's justification for refusing to increase cantonal funding, as the canton claims it does not have to take on people from other regions.
What are the other anti-violence services in the Graubünden besides the Women's House?: In addition to the House for Women, Graubünden offers the forensic nursing service at the Cantonal Hospital of Chur (among the first in German Switzerland), a counselling service for children and adolescents, the number 142 of Victim Aid (active since 2026) and a new cantonal law on domestic violence under discussion in Parliament (scheduled for submission in October).
What does the loss of 182,000francs recorded by the House for Women mean?: The House for Women registered a financial deficit of almost 182,000francs in 2025 despite having a very high employment (91%). This suggests that operating costs (personnel, services, materials) significantly exceed the revenues from hospitality fees. Without private donations and volunteer work, the facility could not function according to its annual report.