• There is no politician I’m trying to imitate, I know everyone has to go their way, said Minister Pavlova
• Legislation to promote the professional development of women is needed, said Dr.Eng.Boriana Manolova

The Minister for the Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU Lilyana Pavlova was a special guest at the forum “Women Talents in Politics”, organized by the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (CWBB) and the Ministry for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU. This was the first of a series of similar events that CWBB intends to organize.

The event was moderated by the well-known PR specialist Maxim Behar. During the meeting Minister Lilyana Pavlova spoke about the past presidency, the achievements of and for women during this period and answered many questions, related to her personal experience as a woman in politics.

The forum was opened by The Chairwoman of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria and CEO of Siemens Bulgaria Dr. Eng. Boriana Manolova. “The Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria believes that the professional achievements and successes of women have to be respected and encouraged. That is the reason to have here today Minister Lilyana Pavlova , who for six months was the main driving force behind the successful Bulgarian presidency of the Council of the EU”, said Boriana Manolova. In her opinion although women are half the population of the Earth and of Bulgaria, they are not represented equally in the different spheres of society and there is still much to be done. “That is why our desire is to have legislation that encourages women in their professional development. We do a lot for the public acceptance of the woman in her different roles”, said Boriana Manolova.

Minister Lilyana Pavlova stated that Bulgaria is actively involved in the preparation of the European legislation about gender equality, because the country could give good examples. She pointed out that Bulgaria has the best indicators for women participation in politics and business. Our country ranks 18th out of 144 countries by number of women in leadership positions. But stereotypes still exist that we have to overcome, highlighted Lilyana Pavlova. Because on the one hand, there is the woman’s opportunity for professional realization; on the other hand, however, there are men’s perceptions of what her role and duties are.

Minister Pavlova added that the success of the presidency is largely due to “the good symbiosis between the different teams and the fact that we were united by a cause.” Mrs. Pavlova commented on her own successful experience as a woman in politics. “I do not have a politician to imitate; I know everyone has to go their own way. As a woman I am more emotional, expressive, more reactive”, said Minister Pavlova.