Dozens of NGOs Demand State Action Against Domestic Violence

Jerusalem, 15 March, 2023 (TPS) -- SOFIA, 15.03.2023 (BTA)
Dozens of NGOs united in their demands for serious legislative changes in the fight against domestic violence.

At a forum in Sofia on Wednesday, 35 organizations presented their position, which they sent to ministers and candidates for parliament. The signatories demand immediate action. Since the beginning of the year, there have already been eight deaths as a result of domestic violence, and the state does not collect aggregate data on the problem, experts say.

Nearly one million women in Bulgaria suffer domestic violence, but there is a huge legislative deficit, institutional paralysis and public apathy, the NGOs stated.

A critical mass has accumulated in the country over the past five years. During this period, no changes have been made to the legislation and there is no political will for change. This can no longer continue and a bill must be passed in the next National Assembly, said manager of the Awakening Women Foundation Lavena Lazarova.

The state is turning a blind eye to the suffering of the victims, the NGOs added.

The forum was attended by Deputy Justice Minister Emil Dechev, experts and parliamentary candidates.