It is high time we stepped out of the “glass house” of gender inequalities, Ms. Iliana Iotova stated

 

Vice President Iliana Iotova emphasised Bulgaria’s achievements and efforts at achieving gender equality in the field of technology and innovations during the official opening of the Generation Equality Forum in Paris. The forum, held under the auspices of UN Women and co-presided by Mexico and France, is the largest event on gender equality, 25 years after the passing of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The event brought together heads of state and government from across the globe, leaders of international organisations, civil society representatives. The forum, which will continue until the 2nd of July, will mark the beginning of a global plan with concrete commitments for accelerated gender equality. Six Action Coalitions are formed in this relation, focused on the most sensitive topics.

 

“The digital revolution – one of the biggest change of our time, has a significant effect on gender equality and women’s rights in all areas of life. We are certain that equality and women’s access to high tech are a key tool to the development of the world and to solving crises. Therefore, Bulgaria joins the Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality coalition,” the Vice President stated, and outlined some of our country’s efforts in the field. Our country is first in the EU in terms of proportion of women experts working in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, with 28.2%. It is third in terms of young people studying ICT subjects at university. With almost 50% of scientists and engineers being female, Bulgaria is well above the European average. Bulgaria is second in the EU, with close to 50% managerial positions being occupied by women. A good practice is the Entrepregirl competition, organised by the Bulgarian Center for Women in Technology, supporting girls and women in finding their place in the digital world.

 

One of the main priorities of the Bulgarian Recovery and Resilience Plan is the Building a School STEM Environment national programme for orienting young people towards technological professions.

 

The Vice President called for fighting prejudice – female scientific experts and researchers are often neglected for leading positions in both the scientific field and in companies and enterprises. “We must change this by fighting prejudice and guaranteeing enough flexibility between the family and workplace, including in terms of remuneration. Bulgaria boasts an especially beneficial legal framework regarding maternity leave, where it is among the longest in Europe – 410 days,” Ms. Iliana Iotova pointed out.

 

The Vice President also drew attention to the importance of the work of the Gender-Based Violence coalition. The statistics that less than 40% of victims of domestic violence seek help is worrying. “Despite the numerous documents and legislative amendments there are still not enough effective actions in combatting this issue,” Ms. Iliana Iotova noted.

 

“We want to step outside the ‘glass house’, enclosing the fates of millions of women and girls, victims of violence and abuse, and of millions who cannot grow and develop their talents merely because they are women. A ‘glass house’ – transparent to all, but sealed off. Let us open it up and tear down the walls. It is time to act,” the Vice President pleaded. Ms. Iliana Iotova called attention to a shadow pandemic unfolding in parallel with the Coronavirus pandemic – a sharp deepening of inequalities. “The consequences are not the same for all – the vulnerable are again most affected, most of all women and girls. Policies related to their protection must be a priority in the post-Covid recovery process,” the Vice President stated.