Flýtilyklar
Gender equality in local authorities
The gender equality issue at local level is not tackled yet. The local administrations, as part of the structures that have to be involved in the so-called National Mechanism for Gender Equality, do not possess the preparedness and capacity to carry out the responsibilities to implement the State policy for gender equality at local level.
Rare are the local administrations with specially appointed official, who is in charge with the Gender Equality issues – for example, in the town of Tarnovo there is such an official from 2 ½ years now, the so-called “focal point”, who is in charge with gender equality, youth and family issues. Two year ago an NGO project (Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation) promoted the process of appointing an Official in charge of women’s issues in the cities of Varna, Gorna Oriahovitsa and Plovdiv. Currently only the official at Gorna Oriahovitsa continues to function on part-time basis.
In the Sofia City Municipality for a year 92004) there was an Ombudsman on Gender Issues.
In the city of Shumen there is a Gender Equality Commission, established with a decision of the Municipal Council in June 2005.
In the city of Razgrad several NGOs, working on gender equality issues, have established a consortium, through which they actively participate at the Municipal Council’s sittings and are trying to put on the agenda the issues of women’s, youth and family issues.
At the first sitting of the Municipal Council at the town of Kazanlak for 2007 the Municipal Councilors’ suggestion is going to be passed, notably for establishing of Women, Children and Family Issues Commission or Council with the Municipal Council.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is prepared to carry out training for local authorities’ and decision-makers’ representatives, in order to promote the process of establishing Commissions of Councils on Gender Issues and the appointing of local administration.
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