The Beijing Declaration and the BPFA- The crucial importance of overcoming gender stereotypes and of promoting the role of men and boys for gender equality, related also directly to equality in the economic sphere and in the sphere of the balance between work and family obligations

A priority issue for Bulgarian CSO working in the field and for networking- a resource for promoting, provoking and complementing governmental efforts for laws and policies

Among others- since the end of 2013 establishing and joining the Campaign MenCare Bulgaria- 10 NGOs so far

Focus of Bulgarian MenCare Campaign called “ To be a father” :

the benefits of active participation of men in the life of children and family for ensuring the proper development of the child in an environment free of violence

challenging the traditional roles of men and women in the family and in society

provoking changes in attitudes through research, networking, innovative media campaign

June- July 2014- First representative sociological research on the attitudes towards the roles of men and women in the family, identifying positive trends and barriers for increased involvement of men in childcare.

Trends and results:

main challenges of parents are deficit of time, deficit of financial means, feeling of insecurity in the social environment

positive attitudes towards an increased role of fathers in everyday care for children, their education and health, especially among younger parents, despite the still lower involvement of men in practice

main barriers for men’s involvement: the prevailing involvement as breadwinners and lack of time for the children; stereotypes – this is not men’s work; insufficient understanding and support from society for the important role of the fathers

Trends and results:

still 9 out of 10 respondents agree that the most important role of men is the one of breadwinners

despite that, 48% of women and 41% of men are in favour of challenging the role of mothers as primary carers for children in their early age and before primary school

women face more difficulties in balancing between family and private life and still sacrifice more time for children and family- 29% of women consider that care obligations affect their personal freedom, versus 18% of men having this feeling

Trends and results:

almost all women have taken maternity and childcare leave- 94%, vs. 30% of men

about ¼ of fathers had taken childcare leave from 16 days till 6 months, and those who took over the childcare leave from the mother after the first 6 months are insignificant number- 1%

trends in participation in household work- women are the only ones taking part in cooking- 81%, cleaning , repairing works- 59%, shopping- 46%.

higher involvement of men in playing and sports with children- 34%

Identified needs:

fathers need to learn more skills, more self- assurance and for their role for children and family to be recognized and more valued

increased need for more legislative and policy guarantees for fathers and fatherhood

The BGRF and partner organizations work for the adoption of gender equality legislation which will make the basis for more equal participation and balance both for men and women in professional, family and private life, and for the adoption of positive action, where needed.