The award is given to organizations and institutions in Bulgaria with contribution to the effective implementation of equality policies

CWBB Chair Tsvetanka Mincheva received the Distinguished Mark for significant achievements in the field of gender equality, which is given to institutions, organizations and companies by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. The prize in the sixth edition of the competition was presented by Lazar Lazarov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Policy, at a special ceremony in the Ministry building on April 25.

For the second year in a row, CWBB is one of the six winners, chosen as recipients of the award, for its active work in the creation and implementation of policies and models for the equality of women and men in public, their professional and personal realization.

“There is nothing more motivating for a volunteer organization like ours, with the energy of the hundreds of volunteers who work alongside us, than seeing that the efforts of our work have a direct impact on society. And there is no greater emotion than seeing that these efforts are appreciated,” said Tsvetanka Mincheva when she accepted the award. She thanked the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for the recognition on behalf of over 180 corporate, individual and 40 associate members, and all volunteers in the Council.

Mrs. Mincheva reminded that during CWBB’s 10-year long history, more than 380 women have gone through its Leadership Academy, the strategic initiative with which the organization’s work started. 1,200 young people have taken part in the summer initiative, Staying in Bulgaria, which unites the internship programs of member companies, and almost a third of them have remained employed in the same companies. More than 90 women have participated in the organization’s mentoring programs, supporting their careers and development. Tsvetanka Mincheva also talked about the first certified academy of the Council for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, conducted in partnership with the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University, the first edition of which ended last week.

On his end, Minister Lazarov noted, “A society can have sustainable development only when it provides the opportunity for active participation of all people, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity and state of health. That is why I am satisfied that today there are people here who have managed to attract a circle of like-minded people and make equality policy part of their corporate business strategy and the code of ethics part of their institutions and organizations”. He added that the awarded organizations and companies are good examples of partners and participants in implementing policies that create working conditions, enabling employees can realize their full potential without discrimination.