Through comprehensive policies and a multi-institutional approach, we are building an inclusive society in which people with disabilities will have equal access to progress and development. We are creating conditions for their full inclusion in the field of education, health, local services, said the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jagoda Shahpaska, in today’s address at the International Conference on Demographic Resistance held in Sofia, Bulgaria, organized by UNFPA and Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Minister паahpaska presented some of the projects of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in the field of inclusion of persons with disabilities, but also policies to prevent all forms of discrimination, prevent violence against women, and promote gender equality.

“We have reduced the border for personal assistance. Persons with disabilities aged 6 to 64 are now entitled to a personal assistant. In that way we enable people with disabilities to perform daily activities and to be actively involved in everyday life. We have also developed the Audio Reader application, which allows blind and visually impaired people to hear and understand the written text in an audio version. We build inclusive kindergartens, we include all children in preschool education. “For those who take care of their loved ones, who are people with disabilities, the state replenishes the second half of the salary if they work part-time, and for those over 64 years of age, we provide a kind of pension, in order to have economic security.” said Minister Shahpaska.

She informed that social services such as assistance and care for the elderly and people with disabilities in the home are received by 900 users throughout the country by 300 caregivers.

“With the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, for the first time we introduced gender identity and sexual orientation as grounds for discrimination. We are working intensively on the implementation of the new Law on Prevention and Protection from Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, and we are preparing a completely new Law on Gender Equality. “With this Law, we strengthen the position and status of women in society, through three new mechanisms, namely the Gender Equality Council, the Secretariat for Gender Equality and the Resource Center.”, stressed Minister Shahpaska.

At the conference, entitled “Shaping Europe’s Demographic Future”, the main topic was demographic resilience in the face of major demographic change. The conference discussed gender equality as well as the creation and implementation of gender responsive policies as a key element in developing a comprehensive response to demographic change.

During the International Conference, Minister Shahpaska also met with Galab Donev, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Social Policies and Minister of Labor and Social Policy in Bulgaria, Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, as well as with Alana Armitage, Director of the Regional Office. of UNFPA for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Source: MIA