site.bta 73 Per Cent of Bulgarians Approve of Idea of Gender Equality Law

73 Per Cent of Bulgarians Approve of Idea of Gender Equality  Law

Sofia, December 20 (BTA) - As many as 73 per cent of Bulgarians approve of the idea of a law guaranteeing gender equality, Gallup International found in a nationally representative survey of 1,002 adults.

About one in ten respondents have witnessed discrimination at their workplace. Asked whether getting paid more for equal work is gender-specific, 50 per cent said it is gender-neutral, 39 per cent say it is easier for men, and only 8 per cent think it is easier for women. The rest were undecided or didn't know. Forty-eight per cent of female respondents believe it is easier for men to get more money, but the respective proportion among male respondents is just 30 per cent.

Overall, 72 per cent favour the introduction of gender representation quotas in large companies and institutions, but the proportion varies by gender: 76 per cent among women and 67 per cent among men.

Two in three of respondents of either gender said that when they think of corrupt people, their first association is a male.

Both men and women are nearly unanimous that mothers with children face greater difficulties finding work in this country.

Nineteen per cent of Bulgarians still adhere to the notion that "women must obey men", but 78 per cent (predominantly the younger ones) disagree with that.

Of those interviewed, 31 per cent agreed that men are better professionals then women. Nearly half believe that "men should be bread-earners and women should be housekeepers". According to 46 per cent, "men must pay the bills", 52 per cent disagreed, and the rest were undecided.

Fifty per cent agreed that women in Bulgaria rely more on their appearance than on their professionalism; 48 per cent thought otherwise, and the rest were undecided. Affirmative answers among women were substantially fewer.

Seventy-four per cent of people think that more women should enter politics. This notion is approved by 66 per cent of men.

"Bulgarian society is generally receptive of the idea of general equality. Part of the momentum of the past lingers, but gender stereotyping gradually declines," Gallup International concluded.