Project “Social and legal action to combat honor related abuse”
Implemented in: Sofia, Smolyan, Targovishte, Razlog, Russe, Pleven, Vratsa
Program: Active Citizens Fund Bulgaria
Implementation period: 30.09.2019 – 28.02.2021
Project Promoter: Center for Sustainable Communities Development
Partners: KUN Center for Equality and Diversity, Norway and Women Lawyers Association, Bulgaria
Project summary: The project aimed to raise awareness about honor crimes, expand the knowledge and skills of professionals working with potential victims of this new type of violence, as well as prepare recommendations for changes in policies and legislation in Bulgaria on the subject.
A study of the case law in the Republic of Bulgaria has been conducted and an overview of the legislative framework in Norway; Interviews with experts in both countries and a nationally representative survey in Bulgaria with the participation of 1007 participants. The result – elaboration by the Bulgarian partners of Recommendations for changes in the legislation and policies, both for prevention and for combating this type of violence. The recommendations were discussed with various stakeholders in organized discussions and round tables in the country before being sent to the relevant institutions.
The pandemic situation required a change in the form of the planned public discussions, round tables and final conference and they were held online – 14 public discussions with 132 representatives from the following target groups: lawyers, police officers, Roma and Turkish community, teachers, health mediators, non-governmental organizations from Sofia, Smolyan, Targovishte, Razlog and Ruse.
The discussions continued with 5 round tables with the participation of 144 participants from Razlog, Pleven, Smolyan, Targovishte and Vratsa. A final conference was held in February with the participation of over 60 people and experts from the country and abroad as speakers. The conference was also broadcast live on Facebook.
The final version of the Petition for Changes in Policies and Legislation Related to Honor Violence was also presented at the closing conference. The petition was supported by 221 people. After the conference the petition was sent by e-mail to the Committee on Legal Affairs of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. After the end of the project, a response was received from the Ministry of Interior in April and talks are underway to specify further joint actions.
More information about the products made within the project can be found at www.hra-project.eu
Grant amount: 126 128 EUR
Contact: Diana Georgieva
email: gpf.bulgaria@gmail.com
phone: +359 2 986-47-10
address:1000 Sofia, 37Б Parchevich str., ap. 4
