BULGARIA

According to the Centre for Health Information, since 1994 there has been an increase of the number of women who do not undergo medical examinations for breast cancer. There are alerting trends in the incidence of breast cancer and in cervical cancer as well. A prophylactic is a real problem. For example, free examinations for breast cancer are subject of registration. They are frequently postponed causing women to wait, which can cause aggravations. The medicaments are entirely at the expense of the woman and they are unaffordable for many of them. From 1994-1997 there was an increase of 1,3-1,5 times in the incidence of the three forms of cancer (breast, cervical, uterus). In 1997 the new cases of breast cancer were 3053 (715,8/100000, for the cervical cancer the figures are: 872 new cases (237,9/100000), data for the uterus cancer are: the new cases – 939 (278,3/100000).

The right to abortion was recognised in 1957 for Bulgarian women. The right to abortion existed in Bulgaria in conflict with the pronatal policy of the 60’s. Simultaneously, there is a noticeable reluctance on the part of the state to facilitate women's access to mass contraception. This resulted in an increase in the number of abortions – their number is still higher than the number of live births per year, as well as in the establishment of specific social norms in the areas of the family and reproduction. The public tolerates abortion much more than it tolerates divorce.

No systematic family planning policy has been adopted. It was reported that the policy for increasing the birth rate did not give the expected results because of the lack of efficiency of the information campaigns, consulting and medical services. This made abortion the main method of regulating the birth rate.

Research conducted by the sociological agency “ASSA-M” under a project by the MOH in 1996, shows alerting tendencies in the field of reproductive behaviours, family planning and use of contraceptives. As a whole, the Bulgarian and Turkish population have similar reproductive attitudes. It is not valid for the Gypsy population as more than 50% have three or more children. The research shows that abortion has turned into the main regulator with more than 27% of women in fertile age having had 1-2 or more abortions. Indicative is the agreement of both sexes concerning abortion. 75% of the cases, men have supported women in this act, which makes an additional obstacle for reducing the abortion rate. More than half of the population associates family planning with the active position and decision of the family itself. The state has lost the position of an agent and actor in this field. Almost half of women and 60% of men show a lack of responsibility in relation to the danger of unwanted pregnancy. 45% of the people who are sexually active use contraceptives, but only 31% of them use them on a regular basis. The data reveals a low contraceptive culture and stable traditional, psycho-emotional stereotypes. This data and the problems it found was confirmed by qualitative research conducted last year.

Free obstetrical care is medical assistance given to the mother only in the period of her pregnancy, delivery and the post- delivery period. It encompasses prophylactics, degeneration and medical treatment, directly connected to the reproductive period of women, but also all other complications having occurred in this period in the health of the woman. The free obstetrical care includes spontaneous abortions and those needed because of medical reasons as well as, abortions for schoolgirls, students, underage persons and pregnancy as a result of a rape. Abortions aside from these cases and persons are excluded from free maternity nursing help.

Women's rights domestic violence is a wide spread phenomenon in Bulgaria but its comprehension and articulation in public is still in its embryonic stage. Domestic violence is still not considered to be a violation of human rights since it occurs within the private sphere of the family. Cases of domestic violence between family members are based on the principle of non-intervention by the state. NGO’s research shows that no effective mechanism exists for protecting victims of domestic violence. The fact that domestic violence is the most widespread form of violence against women in Bulgaria is confirmed by data compiled by the centres for providing counselling and support to women who are survivors of violence. These centres are run by “Nadya D” Foundation (more than 90% of the cases) and at “Animus” Association (more than 50% of the cases).

The first Bulgarian Program that attempted to improve the situation by responding to the increasing violence against women and the lack of proper care for victims of violence was initiated in 1995 by the Bulgarian Women’s Union. The first and still the only shelter is run by “Nadja Centre” Foundation, established as a part of this program in 1996. It is a psycho-social centre for helping women-victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse by offering them medical, psychological, psychiatric and social assistance, as well as assistance in dealing with the authorities. Statistics show a constantly increasing number of phone calls requesting information and help from the Nadja Centre.

The Penal Code envisages legal protection for women in the case of sexual harassment in the work place by taking advantage of economic dependence or official position. It must be stressed that the mentioned Article 153 of the Penal Code is from the section called “Debauchery” and applies only to sexual intercourse by abuse of men’s power on the woman. Despite the fact that the existence of sexual harassment in the workplace is still not officially admitted as a spreading phenomenon, it still remains the obligation of the State not only to incriminate it as a crime in the most severe cases, but also to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all. There is no specific case law for harassment in the work place.