site.btaPresident Plevneliev Calls for Full Gender Equality, Combat against All Forms of Violence against Women

President Plevneliev Calls for Full Gender Equality, Combat against All Forms of Violence against Women

New York, September 28 (BTA) - The process of selection should be transparent and inclusive ensuring equal and fair distribution based on gender and geographical balance, said President Plevneliev in a speech during a high-level global leaders' meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment: A Commitment to Action, quoted by his Press Secretariat.

Plevneliev said: "It is up to us to uphold the credibility of the UN as a universal organization and face the many challenges of tomorrow together by also including women in all processes of decision-making."

The Bulgarian president underscored that Bulgaria's consistent efforts aimed at promoting the human rights of women and girls have led to an increased participation of Bulgarian women in political and social life and their leadership in high-profile careers. Two-thirds of the magistrates in national courts are women, as well as 65 per cent of the civil servants, 43 per cent of the board members of state-owned enterprises, more than 30 per cent of the municipal counselors.

Bulgarian legislation guarantees the equality of rights for women and men and their equal participation in all spheres of life. Gender-based discrimination is prohibited by law, said the head of State.

"My country will make every effort to contribute to achieving full gender equality in the next fifteen years," said the President, adding that Bulgaria commits to adopt and implement a new, specialized Law on Gender Equality that has already been drafted. It will ensure that the gender perspective is mainstreamed into all policies as a precondition for the full realization of the human rights of women and girls.

The Bulgarian government has committed itself to further develop and update the National Strategy for Gender Equality. "We are determined to abolish the gender pay gap. Today, Bulgaria reaffirms its commitment to enact further policies to combat all forms of violence against women," said Plevneliev.