The topic of gender discrimination and overcoming prejudices and stereotypes is seen as one of the big challenges in the modern world because it affected thousands of lives and the economic status of society. According to this understanding, a discussion meeting was held in Sofia between a wide range of civic society representatives and Commissioner Vera Yourova. "When the debates began in Bulgaria on the Istanbul Convention, I wanted to go back to Sofia quickly to hear and understand what makes all these people have such a critical approach to the document," Yourova said.

“In practice this is legislation that aims at helping women and children at risk of violence. Justice, consumer issues, equality between sexes and protection of personal data are fundamental rights. The fight against domestic violence is an important part of my job because we must address all issues. We should pay attention to statistics which show that in Europe one out of three women aged 8-50 has been a victim of violence. We should fight against this as this is the result of harmful stereotypes. I am happy when I speak to men and I see support. Many fear that their daughters can become victims of violence. I try to work with what is written in law. What can be the ideology behind our efforts for stopping violence against the weaker ones – women and children, who become victims of violence in their family? What is the ideology in our efforts to eliminate terrifying phenomena such as forced sterilization, forced abortions, traditional forms of aggression such as threats, insults and beatings? Of course, each national parliament must choose whether to accept the Istanbul Convention or not. If it is not ratified, it must be decided what other measures, whether legislative or not, should be taken in order to ensure reliable protection of women and children through state mechanisms.”

Among the representatives of civic society organizations who participated in the meeting with Commissioner Yourova was Stanimira Hadzhimitova, who has been in charge of Gender Project for Bulgaria Foundation for more than 20 years. According to her, the problem was not so much with the Istanbul Convention, but with this term, which many of her colleagues call "gender ideology."

“My organization has had no problem with the term gender over the years because we have been working in accordance with the official policies of the EU, UN and Bulgaria. There are always some people who see ideology and read one or another document in their own way. However, this is not the EU policy. We need to find a way to explain to people that 'gender equality' means equality between women and men and nothing more. It is about everything that concerns the rights of women to engage in occupations that are not limited to the sphere of service; that they can also be in the high technology sphere. We need to encourage this so that women can have good incomes,” Hadzhimitova said.

English: Alexander Markov