This year was filled with difficult challenges, but with joint efforts, together with others, we achieved significant results:
- We protected the rights of children in Europe by stopping the adoption of the so-called EU Parenthood Regulation, legalizing same-sex parenthood and adoptions.
- We successfully opposed a legislative initiative that would have allowed surgical interventions dangerous to the life and health of children to change external sexual characteristics.
- We actively advocated for the protection of children with the adopted changes to prohibit the propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation and determination of gender identity, other than biological, in kindergartens and schools.
- We protected children and women by contributing to the rejection of the Resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) promoting the decriminalization of prostitution and pimping.
- We actively advocated for the establishment of policies supporting the family, through participation in events, round tables, conferences, public discussions, media, as well as by sending statements and petitions to institutions.
- We assisted in the coordination of the International Marriage Week in Bulgaria from February 7 to 14.
Briefly, what was achieved by months in 2024:
- January: We supported in a statement the proposed changes to adapt the educational process to the needs of children with special needs, which were adopted! We participated in a round table in the National Assembly on proposals for regulating shared parenting in our country.
- February: We appealed for the protection of children from dangerous interventions in connection with the development of guidelines for the treatment of transgenderism by the World Health Organization (WHO). We participated with a position paper on the regulation of shared parenting in Bulgaria.
- March: We met with the Director of the State Agency for Child Protection and Welfare in connection with the submitted draft of the National Strategy for the Child 2024–2030. We expressed concern about problematic texts in the draft, such as the promotion of systematic health/sexual education, the institutionalization of children from an early age (0–2 years) and the exclusion of parents from the research process and proposals for policies affecting children. We sent written proposals with reasoned reasons.
The same month, we supported the proposed changes to the Child Protection Act to protect against harmful chemical, hormonal and surgical interventions to change external sexual characteristics.
- April: We asked PACE to reject a resolution calling for the legalization of same-sex marriage, gender identity other than biological, and the introduction of sex education programs that include LGBTI identities.
At the end of the month, we asked our representatives in the European Parliament in a letter to reject the EU Council Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which imposes the concept of sex and gender identity other than biological. We did this on behalf of over 2,700 citizens and 40 organizations that supported the petition to our leaders on the occasion. The directive was adopted by the EU Council in June with a procedure that requires a 2/3 majority. It will apply in all three areas of EU competence.
- May: We organized a campaign to promote family in the next national and European parliaments and an event on the risks of internet pornography for children and how to protect them, together with the National Association March for the Family.
- June: In view of the upcoming European Parliament elections, we published a report on how each of the Bulgarian MEPs voted on 14 important resolutions and proposals related to human dignity and freedom, marriage and family, over the past five years. The information is available on our petition platform „Citizens in Action”.
On behalf of over 14,550 citizens and 51 civil and parent organizations that supported our petition, we asked the Minister of Justice to protect the rights and best interests of children by opposing the proposed Parenthood Regulation in the Council of the EU.
In the letter, we stated that if it were adopted, all member states would have to recognise parentage and adoptions of children, including by same-sex couples, made in other EU member states. Our voice was heard, and the regulation was returned for amendment and revision. The petition on the regulation continues to gather support at:
PROTECT THE CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY
The same month, we supported the March for Family and the Family Parade.
- July: We sent a letter regarding the proposed changes by the Belgian Presidency to the Parenthood Regulation, related to the recognition of surrogacy, which is prohibited in our country and a number of European countries. We shared the statement of Olivia Maurel, born through surrogacy, in the Czech Parliament, in which she shared about the dark side of surrogacy.
- August: Together with other organizations, we sent a letter to the government in support of the adopted changes to the Education Act, which prohibit the propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation and/or gender identity other than biological.
At the end of the month, we sent an open letter to the Minister of Education regarding the explanation that our country should give to the European Commission regarding the adopted changes to the Education Act. In it, we indicated why the adopted measures are extremely urgent.
We supported with a statement the proposed changes to protect the lives and health of children from harmful procedures aimed at “changing” their gender.
We asked in a letter the European Commission to stop funding and not support camps like “DragTivism” for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 under “Erasmus+”. We gave examples of the violence that is committed against children within the framework of this project and raised important questions.
- September: Our requests, in the letter and petition, to reject the bill allowing extremely harmful hormonal and surgical interventions to change the external sexual characteristics of children, were heard! These proposals were not supported by the representatives of the people.
- October: We appealed for the rejection of the resolution on the decriminalization of prostitution and pimping of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which took place in December.
• November: We asked our representatives at the UN and WHO to protect Bulgaria’s sovereignty in international health policies in connection with the so-called pandemic agreement.
• December: In order to have a more effective and transparent protection of children from sexual abuse, we sent three proposals in an opinion to the Draft Regulation on the National Information System for Prevention and Protection from Pedophilia. We supported with an opinion the proposed changes to protect the life and health of children from harmful procedures aimed at “changing” their gender.
During the year:
- We assisted in the coordination of the International Marriage Week in Bulgaria from February 7 to 14, accompanied by over 35 educational, cultural and entertainment events for families, singles and children. We participated in a seminar and a talk at two Sofia universities.
- We participated in numerous meetings, events and media appearances.
- We prepared statements and sent petitions supported by thousands of citizens and dozens of organizations.
In order for you to actively participate in our campaigns and petitions in defense of children and families, we encourage you to take a minute to subscribe to our free e-newsletter using the button below.
What we have achieved, together with you and others, inspires and motivates us to continue fighting for the values that are fundamental to a healthy society – the dignity and freedom of the individual, marriage and family. Any help and support is invaluable for the implementation of our mission! Get involved too!
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your activity and support!
The Society and Values Association Team
Photos from the celebration of Marriage Week from various municipalities. This year, over 20 municipalities supported the initiative.
