site.btaNGO: Institutions Fail in Fight Against Femicide

In a statement on the occasion of November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Together Against Violence coalition said that Bulgaria is a country that does not recognize femicide as a problem. The assessment of the state administration's work is negative at the end of the second year after the implementation of the Protection against Domestic Violence Act. Although a National Coordination Mechanism was adopted by the Council of Ministers on November 19, the National Council for Prevention and Protection against Domestic Violence is not functioning, and the funds allocated to NGOs have not been used effectively or transparently for the second consecutive year. The coalition outlined several problems with the current implementation of the Act. 

Firstly, the National Council for Prevention and Protection Against Domestic Violence - the body required by law to coordinate state policy in this area - met only once in 2025. Non-governmental organizations that are members of the Council have repeatedly called for action, accountability and responsibility.

Secondly, the competition procedure for organizations working against violence was announced eight months late, in August, and then only under pressure from non-governmental organizations. The competition was announced retroactively for activities that had already been carried out, and the results were not announced publicly or transparently. Only BGN 219,000 were allocated, which is less than half of the planned budget of BGN 450,000. The remaining BGN 231,000 will be returned to the state budget instead of being used to purpose.

Thirdly, in June 2025, the Wake Up Foundation presented the first study of its kind, conducted among members of the You Are Not Alone group - the largest community of people affected by domestic and gender-based violence. The results were alarming, with 74% of participants saying they did not trust institutions such as the police because they do not detain perpetrators who violate protection orders and often ignore reports from victims. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov described these results as a wake-up call and promised change, but five months later, the promises have not been fulfilled. According to the coalition, the Protection against Domestic Violence Act remains ineffective.

Against a backdrop of numerous problems, the coalition welcomes the adoption of the Coordination Mechanism, as set out in the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act. This mechanism synchronizes the work of all institutions. This means that the police, the prosecution, social services and health institutions should collaborate as a "one-stop shop". Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev's contribution to this progress is acknowledged and the coalition states that it is available to assist with the next steps in implementing the new provisions, including the National Information System.

About the Coalition

The Together Against Violence Coalition is an association of organizations, experts and active citizens, created to accelerate reforms in the field of protection against domestic violence, and to provide more effective assistance to victims. The coalition played a pivotal role in the adoption of the new Protection Against Domestic Violence Act by providing consistent advocacy, expert support and coordinated public campaigns. Thanks to the coalition's efforts, domestic violence has become a public and political priority, resulting in clearer protection mechanisms, faster procedures, and better institutional coordination in support of victims.