Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation - News archive
an independent NGO promoting: social justice, gender equality and human rights through research, education, legislative changes, advocacy programs
an independent NGO promoting: social justice, gender equality and human rights through research, education, legislative changes, advocacy programs
27 October 2007
The Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation and Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, with the support of the Oak Foundation and the Open Society Institute’s Human Rights and Governance Program are pleased to announce that the Regional Conference on Legal Reform on Domestic Violence will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria on February 12 – 14, 2008. download announcement and form
17 July 2007
During the period of 4th of July till 18 of July 2007 representatives from Minessota Advocates for HR and lawyers from BGRF had a monitoring mission on the implementation of the Law against Domestic Violence. Below are first impressions from the meetings of Rose Park and Mary Elingen from MAHR. "We have had a productive monitoring mission in Bulgaria, thanks to our longtime partner, the Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation. During our two weeks, we visited six cities and conducted numerous interviews with representatives of different sectors. Thus far, we have seen many positive things happening around the country. Particularly where there are trainings by NGOs on domestic violence and the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, and there's a good coordinated community response in place, we have seen good results in serving victims of domestic violence and implementing the law. For example, we have seen good practices by both police and judges in executing a quick turnaround for immediate protection orders--this is crucial for victims' safety. We still see, however, a need--particularly in the outlying regions--for greater public awareness and use of the law. Also, NGOs should be given more resources to do their work, and most strikingly, there is a dire need for greater numbers of shelters in Bulgaria. It is also important that all relevant sectors and services be cognizant of the dynamics and effects of domestic violence on victims. For example, in Minnesota, we found that Child Protection Services have often come into a domestic violence situation and unnecessarily taken away the child--thus punishing and re-victimizing the mother. We have seen this practice occur in Bulgaia, and we reiterate the importance of protecting the rights of both the child and the mother. Finally, we see a need for changes to Bulgarian legislation, including criminalization of violations of protection orders and increased criminal penalties for acts of domestic violence. Making such changes to the law will better achieve the most important purposes of protecting the victim and punishing the perpetrator."
23 November 2006
The United Nations in Sofia and UNIFEM Central and Eastern Europe are pleased to announce that the United Nations Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women has awarded two grants to projects in Bulgaria. More info here
21 November 2006
Boiko Borissov - mayor of Sofia and Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation organised special press-conference against domestic violence. The press conference will be held at Sofia municipality, official hall - November 22, at 1.00. p.m. More information about the event at the web-site of Sofia municipality: http://www.sofia.bg/pressecentre/press.asp?open=10&sub_open=16200&nxt=0
10 April 2006
BGRF organised on 10 of April international Conference on link between trafficking and prostitution. Guests of the Conference was Colette de Troy (EWL), Sheila Jeffray (CATW) and Maria Calshamre (MEP). Bulgarian participants was Members of Parliament, representatives from institutions, Bulgarian Women's Lobby and other NGOs. The Conference starts public debate against legalising of prostitution and put stress on link between trafficking and sexual services. Bulgarian deputy - Mr. M. Spassov announced the idea for criminalising clients not prostitutions as it is in Sweden.
15 February 2006
The Agreement, signed on February 15, 2006 aimed at establishment of favorable conditions for the effective implementation of the Project “Creation of national model for monitoring and interdisciplinary intervention of victims of Domestic Violence” financed by the Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria. The Sofia municipality and BGRF undertake to work in synergy for the establishment of a model for joint delivering of social, legal, psychological and other services for victim of DV in the territory of Sofia city.
01 February 2006
When legal barriers to prostitution disappear, so do social and ethical ones. Article by C. de Troy and M. McPhail, European Women's Lobby. The Wall Street Journal, Monday, January 9, 2006. To download full text of the article click here
07 December 2005
Women's Program of MAHR travels to Bulgaria at invitation of Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation for police and judges training. To read more about the trainnings click here
25 November 2005
20 March 2005
This Law is the result of so many years hard efforts of the Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation, all the lawyers that we are working with and other NGOs in Bulgaria which managed to lobby and fight together for this initiative. The BGRF would like to thank to all our partners, colleagues and friends for supporting and farthing in us during all these years! Special compliments to the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights! read more
24 February 2005
The complete set of United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) reports is now available online. INSTRAW has joined the global movement to review the implementation of the Platform for Action by preparing overview reports on each of the 12 Critical Areas set forth in the Beijing Platform for Action. French and Spanish versions, forthcoming.
The INSTRAW reports are one voice among many, but we hope that they will be a useful input as well as a practical tool for governments, organizations and individuals who are committed to ensuring the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. INSTRAW will have an exhibit in the UN Building during the forthcoming United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 2005.