Presentation of the WPON Report in Sofia, Bulgaria

The presentation of the report was organized on 11 December 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria, by the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior, SEPCA and SEESAC, with the financial support of the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC). The roundtable was opened by Deputy Minister of Interior Mr. Pavlin Dimitrov who expressed his strong support for the improvement of the position of women in the Bulgarian police as a means to increase police efficiency. The Head of the Public Order Directorate in the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior also addressed the meeting. Ms Olga Yoncheva, representing SEPCA, stated that the WPON project was the most successful among the SEPCA initiatives and will be supported in future by the Chiefs of Police.

Ms. Bojana Balon then gave an overview of the implementation of project activities in 2010 and presented the 2011 Annual Work Plan. Report findings were presented by the WPON Council members from Bulgaria, Chief Inspector Dr. Blagorodna Makeva and Inspector Penka Stoyanova. They took an in-depth look at the situation of women in police services in Bulgaria. The presentation was attended by 45 participants including representatives of the Ministry of Interior, police unions and NGOs. The discussion focused on the implementation of the report findings and the concrete steps that need to be taken in Bulgaria to improve gender equality in the police service. Finally, it was agreed that similar presentations and roundtable discussions will be organized in the regional police directorates throughout Bulgaria.