Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Stimulating Women's Participation in Local Government
National Civic Forum "Bulgarka"
Background
The National Civic Forum Bulgarka unites women with positions on civil society matters; therefore it uses its own potential for large scope work on raising awareness, attracting and stimulating more women from Bulgaria for participation in the structures of local government and other organizations supporting civil society. Two broad discussions with women from more than 30 Bulgarian cities were organized, which showed that women are really active, with firm positions on social matters and readiness to work on the problems covered by the project, which has been a guarantee for the multiplication of the results achieved.
The National Civic Forum Bulgarka unites women with positions on civil society matters; therefore it uses its own potential for large scope work on raising awareness, attracting and stimulating more women from Bulgaria for participation in the structures of local government and other organizations supporting civil society. Two broad discussions with women from more than 30 Bulgarian cities were organized, which showed that women are really active, with firm positions on social matters and readiness to work on the problems covered by the project, which has been a guarantee for the multiplication of the results achieved.
Practice
In the context of a discussion on the topic The intellectual woman in our time MBMD conducted a research study, which outlined the fact that the Bulgarian woman is well educated, has realization in the professional area, but lacks the necessary spirit for entering political and public life. This provoked the idea for the project, which started in July 1999 and ended in February 2000.
The project goals were:
- to stimulate and develop women s personal qualities which will make them active and willing to participate in local public life initiative, taking an active stand in the family, workplace and community;
- to develop interests and skills for women s social commitment, and further motivation for active role in civic life;
- to prepare a microenvironment in participating municipalities for overcoming local stereotypes and to instigate a positive change for women participating in public life;
- to support and strengthen positions of women in their personal and public realization, creating a policy of equal opportunities - to show the significant advantages of equal partnership and mutual complementing of men and women s power in local government decisionmaking.
The project started in two municipalities, Razgrad Municipality being included in the process as well:
- Mladost District, Sofia Municipality, with a diversity of human resources and infrastructure;
- Zavet Municipality, a small distant town with different ethnic groups, and employment mainly in agriculture;
- Razgrad Municipality, a typical town of average size, a municipal centre with a mixture of ethnic groups, well developed local industry, cultural and educational institutions.
The main role in project implementation had the well organized clubs of NCF Bulgarka on the territory of the three municipalities. Throughout the whole period there were many consulting offices and hot lines in operation. The discussions for defining problems and undertaking efforts for solving them have united many women with different occupation. A survey was performed on Participation of women in public life, local government and state affairs , with more than 1000 women from all over the country as well as partner municipalities responding to the questionnaire. Seminars and panel discussions on the problems were conducted within the project:
- seminar Civil and legislative initiative with the participation of 30 women from partner municipalities and executive officers;
- panel discussion Women in local government with representatives from more than 27 cities and the project participants;
- closing debates and a conference on the project results.
In the context of a discussion on the topic The intellectual woman in our time MBMD conducted a research study, which outlined the fact that the Bulgarian woman is well educated, has realization in the professional area, but lacks the necessary spirit for entering political and public life. This provoked the idea for the project, which started in July 1999 and ended in February 2000.
The project goals were:
- to stimulate and develop women s personal qualities which will make them active and willing to participate in local public life initiative, taking an active stand in the family, workplace and community;
- to develop interests and skills for women s social commitment, and further motivation for active role in civic life;
- to prepare a microenvironment in participating municipalities for overcoming local stereotypes and to instigate a positive change for women participating in public life;
- to support and strengthen positions of women in their personal and public realization, creating a policy of equal opportunities - to show the significant advantages of equal partnership and mutual complementing of men and women s power in local government decisionmaking.
The project started in two municipalities, Razgrad Municipality being included in the process as well:
- Mladost District, Sofia Municipality, with a diversity of human resources and infrastructure;
- Zavet Municipality, a small distant town with different ethnic groups, and employment mainly in agriculture;
- Razgrad Municipality, a typical town of average size, a municipal centre with a mixture of ethnic groups, well developed local industry, cultural and educational institutions.
The main role in project implementation had the well organized clubs of NCF Bulgarka on the territory of the three municipalities. Throughout the whole period there were many consulting offices and hot lines in operation. The discussions for defining problems and undertaking efforts for solving them have united many women with different occupation. A survey was performed on Participation of women in public life, local government and state affairs , with more than 1000 women from all over the country as well as partner municipalities responding to the questionnaire. Seminars and panel discussions on the problems were conducted within the project:
- seminar Civil and legislative initiative with the participation of 30 women from partner municipalities and executive officers;
- panel discussion Women in local government with representatives from more than 27 cities and the project participants;
- closing debates and a conference on the project results.
Results
Many contacts have been established and joint work done with other organizations and various media representatives during the project. Final results show that public activity of women has been enhanced:
- Mladost District in the area of healthcare, sports, municipal social policy. A project for organizing a Mother s Centre has started with the cooperation of Mutter Centre Munich.
- Zavet Municipality revealing problems of women to women themselves and discussing the problems of the town; activating women s role in local government, with 4 women out of 17 councilors in the Municipal Council. A new NGO Citizen Activity has been registered.
- Razgrad Municipality intensive charity activity, supporting sick people, participation in local government (Municpal Council), 2 women have been elected as mayors amongst 7 regions. 4 sections of NCF Bulgarka were established in Osenetz, Getzovo, Ushantzi, and Dryanovo. There are plans for attracting Roma women to different NCF clubs as well as involving them in various social activities.
Many contacts have been established and joint work done with other organizations and various media representatives during the project. Final results show that public activity of women has been enhanced:
- Mladost District in the area of healthcare, sports, municipal social policy. A project for organizing a Mother s Centre has started with the cooperation of Mutter Centre Munich.
- Zavet Municipality revealing problems of women to women themselves and discussing the problems of the town; activating women s role in local government, with 4 women out of 17 councilors in the Municipal Council. A new NGO Citizen Activity has been registered.
- Razgrad Municipality intensive charity activity, supporting sick people, participation in local government (Municpal Council), 2 women have been elected as mayors amongst 7 regions. 4 sections of NCF Bulgarka were established in Osenetz, Getzovo, Ushantzi, and Dryanovo. There are plans for attracting Roma women to different NCF clubs as well as involving them in various social activities.
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