site.btaGenders Enjoy Equality in Bulgarian Armed Forces, Defence Ministry Says

November 1 (BTA) - In terms of its pace of development and composition, the status of Bulgarian servicewomen does not differ from the legislation and practice in the countries of the European Union and NATO. Women are equal to men in the exercise of the military profession, said on Monday the Ministry of Defence in a position reacting to statements in the public space regarding gender equality in the Bulgarian Armed Forces, the press centre of the Ministry announced.

УToday, in the Bulgarian Army, servicewomen enjoy all the rights enjoyed by their male colleagues. The equal rights of women and men in service are regulated by the Law on Defence and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, its subdelegated legislation, the MinistryТs position classification, the structures under the direct authority of the Minister of Defence, and the Bulgarian Army. There are no restrictions on holding any position on the basis of gender. There are no similar restrictions in the regulations on the terms and conditions for admission of cadets in higher military schools. Admission to the GS Rakovski Military Academy has not been denied on the basis of gender, and we categorically state that such allegations are absolutely untrue. The rejections are based only on legal obstacles, such as the lack of a diploma from a higher military school," the position reads.

According to the Ministry, the dissemination of false and speculative allegations of discrimination against the rights of servicewomen in the Bulgarian Army casts a stain on nearly 30 years of efforts to promote democratic values.

Hundreds of servicewomen, through hard work and effort, have risen to all levels of the military hierarchy, and serve in the Ministry of Defence and the Bulgarian Army," the Ministry says, adding that Уfueling false suggestions of discriminatory treatment of them speaks of ignorance of the democratic processes and hides the risk of provoking dangerous moods, threatening for years the established gender equality in the Bulgarian Army." VE/MT