Speech
by her Excellency Mrs. NADEZHDA MIHAILOVA,
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria
and Deputy Chairperson of the Union of Democratic Forces,

Brussels, 5 February 1999, 8 p. m.

Europe To Women

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear colleagues,

It is perhaps unnecessary to convince each other of how fruitful and interesting our meetings and discussions over the last couple of days have been. In fact, they have been a culminating point of the excellent relations between the People's and Christian Democrat parties of Europe. The invitation to speak in front of you is an honor for the party which, over the past two years succeeded in providing Bulgaria with a new future.
Contemporary history has given us ample proof that the principle of equality between women and men is a sine qua non of democracy. It is indeed an integral part of pluralist democracy, of the rule of law, of Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms. Yesterday in Belgrade, a lady journalist from the opposition press asked me what, in my opinion, should the 21st century be. My answer was: The 21st century should be more humane, more democratic, and more tolerant to differences among people.
European experience has eloquently demonstrated the vital importance of a balanced representation of women and men in all sectors of society, including political life.
Equality between women and men should be progressively integrated into the very fabric of political and social life of society in Europe and the world. For, the fate of Europe as our common future depends on the full participation of women, on an equal footing with men, in all walks of life..
In practice, however, the principle of equality between woman and men should be embodied in guaranteed equality in the labor market. Consequently, labor laws and regulations should be brought in line with this principle.

In more general terms, there is an evident need to treat equality between women and men positively, taking into account the requirements and interests of both sides and, more importantly, what each gender can contribute to the functioning of society. Mainstreaming of the gender perspective is both the appropriate strategy and tool to this end.
So far society has tended to consider the promotion of equality as essentially a women's issue. However, a modern vision of society based upon solidarity between women and men, requires to be much more involved in the equality debate than is the case at present. This presupposes a redefinition of the assumed "traditional" roles of women and men and reconciling family and professional life for both sexes, at individual level and in the organization and structures of public life.
The sharing of roles between women and men should be facilitated by the creation of the proper conditions, which would enable women to participate in public and social life. Existing sexist stereotypes should be challenged, among others, by inspiring reflection and activities on equality, including gender equality in education, raising public awareness, etc. The setting up of the proper national mechanisms would certainly contribute to this process.
The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the promotion of gender issues is of paramount importance.
The recognition and respect throughout Europe for the equal dignity and integrity of both women and men should be our major objective. Practices which may be qualified as torture or inhuman or degrading treatment such as physical violence, rape, traffic in women and girls, are serious obstacles to equality between women and men and perpetuate inequality. Programs should be implemented which include not only the evaluation of violence against women, but also the legislative, judicial and police aspects, prevention and education as well as assistance to victims and perpetrators of violence.
Finally, traffic in women and girls is another distinct manifestation of violence inflicted upon women and constitutes as such a modern form of slavery. It entails grave violations of human rights and freedoms. The phenomenon of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation should be of major concern to all of Europe and must be combated by the determined concerted efforts of all European states.

In conclusion, let me reiterate the commitment of the Bulgarian Government to the principle of equality between women and men. During its mandate the Government of the United Democratic Forces has achieved real progress in implementing effective opportunities for both women and men. Allow me to quote but several figures:

• at the present, 38th National Assembly, women account for almost 30 percent of MPs. For example, the Parliamentary Group of the Christian Democrat majority is chaired by a woman, and so is the biggest agrarian party which is a coalition partner of the Government;
  
• women, employed in regional and district courts account for over 60 percent of magistrates, executory officers and notaries;
  
• Eighteen percent of the present Bulgarian government - for example the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Culture, Environment, are women. The same figure applies to Deputy Ministers.
  
• the percentage of women at the Council of Ministers - in particular Heads of Departments, ranking as Deputy Ministers, amounts to seventy-five. By the end of last year, women made up 61 percent of the entire personnel of the Council of Ministers;
  
• approximately 20 percent of the overseas staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consists of women, whereas 50 percent work within the country. At the beginning of the present year over 50 percent of senior posts, ranking as Deputy Minister, at that same Ministry were taken by women.
  

Naturally, aside from the dry statistics of positive facts, a lot more can be done and there are still a number of problems to be faced. But what is more important to me is that there is hope and willingness to work without illusions. Communism, then post- communism, deprived Bulgarian women of their rights over the last 50 years and hardened their souls, trying to transform them into mere details of the overall industrial scheme.
In spite of that, Bulgarian women succeeded in preserving the traditions of European civilization, Christian faith, family ethics and piety. These were the virtues that - one century ago - transformed Bulgaria into a European country. We are not simply joining Europe. We are returning to where we have always belonged.

Thank you for your attention.