1. Promotion of gender equality as a part of the State policy

1.1. Nomination of employees in the Ministries, responsible for the conduction of gender equality policy. 

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: 31 January 2005 

1.2. Actualization of the Ministries' priorities, according to the main priorities of the Government, as are outlined measures for promotion of gender equality. For realization of the coordination and control under its implementation the Ministries have to submit to MLSP information of the measures, according to the date.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: July 30 2005 for actualization of the priorities;  July 30 2005 and January 31 2006 for implementation of the measures.

1.3. Development of a National Action for promotion of gender equality for 2006.

Responsible: the Minister of labour and Social Policy

Date: October 31 2005

1.4. Highlighting in the media policy on the principle for gender equality and provision of information regarding the measures for its implementation in the sphere of competence of each Ministry.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

1.5. Participation in activities and programmes of international organizations, which are directed to approbation of the gender equality principle.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

1.6. Training in the field of protection of human rights and equal opportunities for women and men and the methods for achievement of gender equality for:

• leaders, experts, employees form the units for development of the human resources in the ministries and organizations;
• employees in the Ministries and organizations, responsible for implementation of gender equality policy;
• members of the national Council for Gender Equality.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

1.7. Binding of planning, decision taking and the processes of evaluation of each stage of their application with the principle for gender equality. Analyzing of the results.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date:  December 31 2005

1.8. Undertaking activities for promulgation of the Convention for elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, adopted and open for sign ratification and acquisition with resolution 34/180 of ОС of UN since December 18 1979, published in book of international documents, 1992 and the facultative report towards it.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

2. Legislative confines for gender equality and prevention and elimination of discrimination, based on gender indication

2.1. Legislative review for compliance with the European Legislation regarding the principles for gender equality. In the elaboration of new legislative acts is to be provided a compliance with these principles.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

2.2. To include certain measures in the Action Plan under the Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Romas in the Bulgarian Society, which are to be directed towards formation of a culture of equality among the roma women for complete individual, social and economical participation in the public life through:

a)       increasing the forms for direct participation of the roma woman in projects for joint training as a resource for gradually overcoming the discrimination forms;

b)       stimulating the training and the access of roma women to secondary and higher education through special cooperation on the part o social workers and pedagogical teams;

c)       realization of programmes for information and vocational orientation of roma women, in order to ease their access to employment;

d)       development of programmes for consultation of roma women who are oriented towards self-employment.

Responsible: a Minister without portfolio 

Date: December 31 2005

2.3. To encourage women's participation under measure 09 (3.1) “Improving of vocational training” from National Development Plan of Agriculture and Rural Regions for the period 2000-2006 under the special European Union Programme for acquisition in the agriculture sphere and rural regions (SAPARD), approved with Decision № 726 of Council of Ministers from 1999.

Responsible: Minister of Agriculture and Forests,

Regional and municipality administration

Date: December 31 2005

2.4. To conduct training for employees from the local administrations for promotion of the capacity for combating social isolation and integration of groups at risk from poverty.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Regional and municipality administration

Date: December 31 2005

2.5. Aiming the employment encouragement of the women in unequal position on the labour market the regional and local administrations to be supported for elaboration of regional projects for women employment.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Regional and municipality administration

Date: December 31 2005

3. Guaranteeing of equal opportunities for women and men in the access to economical activities

For promotion of the women competitiveness on the labour market to be provided opportunities for their participation in training courses for vocational qualification and re-qualification, which are to promote their employability, including self-employment. To be elaborated programmes for re-qualification of unemployed, especially parents, absent from the labour market due to parental leave. To be elaborated targeted programmes for encouragement of the women's economical activity, living in the agricultural regions.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Executive Director of the Employment Agency

Date: December 31 2005

3.2. In realization of the National Strategy for promotion the development of small and medium enterprises (2002-2006), adopted with Decision № 182 of Council of Ministers, since 2002 is promoted the acquisition of skills for self employment from needy people in disadvantage position, representatives of minorities, young people and women-contractors.

Responsible: Minister of Economy

Director of the Executive Agency for promotion of   small and medium enterprises

Date: December 31 2005

3.3. Promotion of the women's participation in programmes for adequate qualification and re-qualification, which provide them access to employment in the sphere of informational and communicational technologies.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Executive Director of the Employment Agency

Date: December 31 2005

4. Promotion of the policy for harmonizing family and professional duties for parents, raising small children or taking care of dependent family member.

4.1. Promotion of the development and application of flexible employment forms for parents, raising small children or taking care of dependent family member.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Executive Director of the Employment Agency, the President of the State Agency for Child Protection

Date: December 31 2005

4.2. To be elaborated special incentive measures for employers, providing conditions for preservation and development of professional career for parents, raising small children or taking care of dependent family member.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy,

Minister of Finance

Date: December 31 2005

5. Equality of women and men in their access to health cares and preservation of the generative functions of women.

5.1. Conduction of analysis of the women's and men's health status in comparative plan, based on demographic and health statistical data – Annual report for the national health;

• informational campaigns for the necessity of periodical medical cancerous tests – National Strategy and work programme for preventive cancerous screening in Republic of Bulgaria, 2001 – 2006, adopted with Decision № 880 of the Council of Ministers since 2000;
• prevention of narcotic addiction, with a view to the generative functions of girls and  women – National Programme for Prevention of, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in Republic of Bulgaria 2001-2005, adopted with Decision № 159 of the Council of Ministers since 2001;
• raising the women's acquaintance with cares, which should be took for preservation of  their health status during pregnancy, birth and post-birth period.

Responsible: Minister of Health

Date: December 31 2005

5.2. Observance of the principles for gender equality in the conduction of:

• National Programme for Smoking Restraint 2001-2005, adopted by Council of Ministers with decision № 15 since 2002;
• National Programme for Prophylaxis and Control of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) for the period 2001-2007, adopted with decision № 18 of the Council of Ministers since 2001;
• Politics for Psychic Health and National Action Plan toward it for the period 2004-2012, adopted with official decision № 28 of the Council of Ministers since July 22 2004, item 24;
• multy sectoral cooperation regarding the health determinants, with a view to the physical, economical, social and subjected by the sexual orientation perspectives – the National Health Strategy "Better Health for Better Future for Bulgaria (2001-2010)", adopted with decision № 267 of the Council of Ministers since 2001;
• joint health-protective activity, involving relevant partners at all levels – in the home and family, in the school, at work, in the settlement and the municipality and in the country, which cooperates for the joint decision making process, their application and realization responsibility.

Responsible: Minister of Health

Date: December 31 2005

6. Gender equality in the education sphere

6.1. Launching of measures for assessment of the existing practice in the educational system, related with reception of pupils and students in terms of the gender equality and the European practice.

Responsible: Minister of Education and Science

Date: May 31 2005

6.2. Preparation of offer to the high schools for inclusion of the problems for gender equality, protection against discrimination, based on gender and "gender" education in the process of training and qualification of teachers.

Responsible: Minister of Education and Science

Date: May 31 2005

6.3. Popularization through the opportunities and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) of programmes for gender equality ("gender" training giving knowledge of the social gender dimensions).

Responsible: Minister of Education and Science

Date: December 31 2005

6.4. Addition of the State educational requirements (SER) and the textbooks and school aids with a view of exclusion of texts and illustrations, which could to lead messages, confirming inequality and discrimination against gender and the ethnic minorities.

Responsible: Minister of Education and Science

Date: December 31 2005

7. Fight against domestic violence. Fight against traffic in humans.

7.1. Conduction of informational campaigns against:

• domestic violence;
• traffic in humans, especially women.

Responsible: Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Justice

Date: December 31 2005

7.2. Provision of permanent control to the measures which fight against domestic violence and periodic preparation of information for the Government aiming the application of measures for elimination of domestic violence and creation of integrated scheme supporting the victims of domestic violence. For assessment of the applied measures to be created a task force from administrative representatives of central, regional and local level and non-governmental organizations, engaged with the decrease and elimination of domestic violence.

Responsible: Minister of Internal Affairs

Date: July 30 2005 formation of the task force

Date: December 31 2005 activity of the task force

7.3. After approbation of Act against Domestic Violence to be created conditions for organizing of centres for support and provision of services to victims of domestic violence (homes for temporary lodging). Assignment to the NGOs the provision of services to victims of domestic violence.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Justice

Date: December 31 2005

7.4 After approbation of Act against Domestic Violence to be elaborated adequate measures against the domestic violence through provision of protection to the victims. Establishment of SOS line for victims to the domestic violence and elaboration of training programmes for work with people, who suffered domestic violence.

Responsible: Minister of Justice, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: December 31 2005

8. Promotion of gender equality in the sphere of the state governance

8.1.  Conduction of study for the participation of women and men in the in the decision making processes aiming the preparation of recommendations for attainment of gender equality.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, (the President of a National Council for Gender Equality)

Date: June 30 2005

8.2. In appointment to an office in the administration to be promoted the selection of suitable candidates in compliance with the decrees of article 39 from the Act against discrimination. For the attainment of control regarding the observance of this decree in compliance with decree of article 11, par. 1 the state authority bodies, the public bodies and the local self-government bodies to observe the execution of this measure under the meaning of article 7, par. 1, item 12 and 13 from the Protection against Discrimination Act, and are reporting twice a year to the relevant tutor, who for his part, familiarizes the wide public with its implementation in the beginning of the next year in his activity report.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31

8.3. Conduction of study for the economical, social and human price of the actual inequality of women and men.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: June 30 2005

9. The equality between women and men as a horizontal priority of the Framework for support of the European Community and the Operative Programmes

9.1. Participation in the programme under the framework Strategy of the European Community for implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy (2001-2005) in 2005

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: December 31 2005

9.2. Изпълнение на проекти по Рамковата стратегия на Европейската общност за изпълнение на Стратегията за равенство на половете (2001-2005), съфинансирани от Европейската комисия.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Minister of Youth and Sport

Date: September 30 2005

.

9.3. Elaboration of a programme and conduction of training seminars in the sphere of the strategically planning of regional policy, with a view to achievement of gender equality in the decision making process regarding the regional development.

Responsible: Ministry of Regional Development and Public WorksОтг.: министърът на регионалното

Date: December 31 2005

9.4.  Observance of the gender equality principle in the process of programming and selection of proposed projects, submitted by the candidates under a fixed grant scheme. Requirement of monthly reports from the executors, who enlist information for the included people women/ men and their equal participation.

• Support in the financing and implementation of the projects, given under MATRA Programme of the Dutch Government.
• Undertaking of actions for inclusion in Programme EQUAL of the European Council and elaboration of joint projects with member-states.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: December 31 2005

10. Observation and assessment of the effectiveness in the application of the gender equality principle

10.1. Execution and assessment of the measures under the application of the gender equality principle and submission of information to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the results.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005 for every trimester

10.2. Assessment of the effectiveness of the undertaken measures under item 10.1. and preparation of proposal to the Government for adoption or change of the measures with aim to improve their effectiveness. Submission of information of the new or improved measures to the NGOs engaged with the gender equality problems.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: September 30 2005

10.3. Preparation of annual report concerning the condition of gender equality in Bulgaria based on statistical data and analytical documents, containing data for the women's and men's participation in the social, political and public life.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, President of NSI

Date: December 31 2005

10.4. Introduction of assessment indicators for gender equality, measurable with the EUROSTAT indicators and maintaining of data base, disaggregated by gender.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, President of NSI

Date: December 31 2005

10.5. Provision of resources for financing the conduction of researches of the social premises, leading to discrimination against women.

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

10.6. Executive Agency "Military clubs and information" towards the Minister of Defense to conduct research inquiry subjected: "Equal opportunities of Women and Men in the Bulgarian Army", which will be published on the web site of Ministry of Defense for public information regarding its results.

Responsible: Minister of Defense

Date: December 31 2005

10.7. Ministry of Defense is supporting data base of the number of women – military personnel (officers, sergeants, soldiers) by military rank, as well as to women – civil persons.

Responsible: Minister of Defense

Date: December 31 2005

10.8. Ministry of Internal Affairs is working towards the development and support of data base of the number of women, employed in its system by rank, as well as to women – civil persons.

Responsible: Minister of Internal Affairs

Date: December 31 2005

11. The civil society and is influence over the public opinion – promotion of the public awareness of the gender equality issues and measures for elimination of the stereotypes of the women's and men's roles, cooperation with the medias.

11.1. Conduction of a National Conference for celebration of the 10^th Anniversary from the Fourth UN Women Conference in Peking in 1995.  

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy

Date: June 30 2005

11.2. Creation of rubric in the internet pages of the Ministries for information on the policy and actions for gender equality.

Responsible: National Council for Gender Equality, "Equal Treatment of Women and Men" department, MLSP

Date: June 30 2005

11.3. Formation of consultative and expert groups with the active participation of the social partners and NGOs engaged in the gender equality issues, in the preparation of legislative and sub-legislative normative acts, aiming at the organization of the social and civil dialog.            

Responsible: Bodies of executive authority

Date: December 31 2005

11.4. Promotion of a public discussion regarding the equality between women and men with the aim to inform the society of the State policy in this direction and its objectives.

Responsible: Minister of Labour and Social Policy, National Council for Gender Equality

Date: December 31 2005