The discussion, prepared and hosted by the CWSP, was held on the 27 February 2006 in the Information Center on the Council of Europe within the framework of the Discussion Forum of the Bulgarian Coalition on Gender Equality.

The participants – representatives of the legislative, NGOs, academicians and media – discussed the legal, health, social security ant tax aspects of the problems related to legalization of prostitution in Bulgaria, sociological profile of the client and interrelation between prostitution, trafficking in women and child pornography. The discussion was focused on the questions if and to our society is ready for prostitution legalization, if there is a need of such law at present and what the possibilities for effective legal reform.

Mrs. Sonia Panaiotova – advisor to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Children, Youth and Sports announced that the Committee has not started drafting the law yet. On this stage, its work is concentrated on the preliminary survey on best practices and legislations in other countries. She stated that the sessions of Committee are opened for the public. In this respect, the participants in the discussion declared their interest to participate in a meeting focused on this subject, organized by the Commission with representatives of the executive and NGOs.