Protests in Bulgaria Demand Equal Parenting Rights on Father’s Day
On International Father’s Day, protests took place in Sofia and Plovdiv, Bulgaria, under the slogan “Dads Love Too! Yes to Shared Parenting!” The demonstrations, attended by estranged parents and NGO representatives, called for legislative reforms to ensure equal parenting rights after separation, CE Report quotes BTA
Protestors highlighted the flaws in Bulgaria's current family laws, which often force courts to favor one parent in custody disputes, leaving the other with limited access to their children. Lawyer Yordanka Bekirska emphasized that this system fosters parental conflict and often relegates one parent—usually the father—to the role of "vacation parent," causing trauma for children and imbalance in parenting responsibilities.
Organizer Vladimir Nenov criticized the system, pointing out that separated parents frequently only see their children four days a month, which he argued is insufficient to maintain an effective parental role. He added that this arrangement not only harms children but also places undue pressure on the custodial parent.
To address these issues, three bills aimed at amending the Family Code were recently submitted to Bulgaria’s National Assembly. The proposals, supported by the For Shared Parenting Foundation, advocate for children to spend equal time with both parents and for both to have equal participation in decisions regarding education and healthcare.
Nenov called for more efficient institutions, conscientious judicial decisions, and child protection services that prioritize children’s best interests. The organizers urged the public to support legislative changes to promote shared parenting, ensure balanced parental rights, and reduce the emotional toll on children in separated families.
