The Constitution of Bulgaria states that “All persons are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Women were granted full voting rights in 1944 and the first women were elected to parliament the following year. In 1982, Bulgaria ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and in 2016 adopted a new Law on Equality between Women and Men. The 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment ranked Bulgaria 38th out of 156 countries. However, traditional gender roles and rampant sexism remain prevalent under the country’s deeply entrenched patriarchal structure. Women only make up 27 percent of Parliament, and gender-based violence has raised concerns among the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Fortunately, a large number of human rights organizations are advocating for the inclusion of gender-conscious programs and legislation to put an end to violence and discrimination against women.
Bulgaria has a rich sports tradition and was one of only 14 nations to take part in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Female athletes have achieved international success in a wide range of sports, most notably rhythmic gymnastics. During the 1980s, Bulgaria dominated world competitions with seven different gymnasts winning gold, earning them the nickname The Golden Girls of Bulgaria. Stefka Kostadinova still holds the women’s high jump world record, jumping 6 ft 10 1⁄4 in. 1987, and Yordanka Donkova won Olympic gold in the 100-meter hurdles and held the world record for 28 years. In tennis, the Maleeva sisters (Katerina, Manuela, and Magdalena) have each reached the top ten in the WTA singles world rankings, and became the only set of three sisters ranked in the top ten at the same time.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Bulgaria:
Maria Gateva
How does Bulgaria compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
27%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
37%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Reneta Ivanova Indzhova, 1994 - 1995
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1908
Bulgaria declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on October 5th.
1944
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1952
Nine athletes from became the first women to represent Bulgaria in the Olympics.
1972
Yordanka Blagoeva (silver- high jump), Diana Yorgova (silver - long jump), Ivanka Khristova (bronze - shot put), and Vasilka Stoeva (bronze - discus throw) became the first women from Bulgaria to win Olympic medals.
1980
Bulgaria signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1982
Bulgaria ratified CEDAW.
1992
Two athletes became the first women to represent Bulgaria in the Paralympics.
1994
Reneta Ivanova Indzhova served as the first female Prime Minister of Bulgaria.
1996
Polina Dzhurova (silver- swimming) became the first women from Bulgaria to win a Paralympic medal.
2000
Bulgaria signed the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
2006
Bulgaria ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
13
-
37
-
77
-
157
-
113
-
122
-
68
-
28
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
4
-
10
-
8
-
1
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1952
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
1964
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Yordanka Blagoeva: 1972, High Jump (Silver) Diana Yorgova: 1972, Long Jump (Silver) Ivanka Khristova: 1972, Shot Put (Bronze) Vasilka Stoeva: 1972, Discus Throw (Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1992
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
2008
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Polina Dzhurova: 1996, Swimming (Silver)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1987
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1952
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIBA’s Her World, Her Rules project and social media campaign aims to promote women’s and girls’ participation in basketball throughout Europe.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Bulgarian Athletics Federation (Bulgaria)
Bulgarian Baseball Federation
