Bulgarian Association of Women Judges: Background, Vision, and Priorities
The establishment of the Bulgarian Association of Women Judges is rooted in a shared commitment to strengthening the judiciary, promoting judicial independence and integrity, and supporting women judges throughout their professional careers. The Association was created as a platform for women judges to come together, exchange professional experience and knowledge, support one another, and contribute to a stronger culture of respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria.
We would also like to acknowledge and express our sincere gratitude to Judge Angelina Lazarova of the Court of Appeal in Varna, whose vision, dedication, and tireless efforts have been instrumental in driving this initiative forward, as well as to Judge Ita Farrelly of the UK Association, who has been a constant and invaluable part of the process leading to the establishment of our Association.
The founding of the Association reflects the recognition that women judges can play an important role not only in the administration of justice, but also in broader public discussions about judicial independence, equality, professional ethics, access to justice, and public confidence in the judiciary. By bringing together women judges from different professional backgrounds and stages of their careers, the Association seeks to create a community based on professional solidarity, mutual support, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to the highest standards of judicial service.
Why the Association was established
One of the Association's central aims is to contribute to greater public trust in justice and a deeper understanding of the essential role of courts and judges in protecting fundamental rights. The Association seeks to promote public and institutional awareness of the principles of equality, equal access to justice, quality judicial administration, and the rule of law.
At the same time, the Association places particular emphasis on judicial independence, integrity, and high ethical standards. It aims to encourage an open public and professional dialogue on morality and professional ethics, transparency and objectivity in the evaluation and career development of judges, and the importance of safeguarding the judiciary from undue influence, behind-the-scenes practices, and corruption.
An important part of this mission is supporting women judges themselves. The Association seeks to assist women at the beginning of their judicial careers and at significant moments of professional transition, promote equal opportunities for career development, strengthen the professional authority and visibility of women judges, and provide a network of support in difficult or crisis situations.
Building partnerships and professional networks
From the outset, the Association has sought to translate these objectives into concrete partnerships and activities. We have already established a partnership with one of Bulgaria's leading legal information systems and have entered into a formal cooperation agreement. This partnership will provide opportunities for professional exchange, access to legal knowledge and resources, and the development of initiatives supporting the continuous professional development of judges.
The Association is also currently in discussions with a number of universities across Bulgaria regarding future cooperation. These partnerships are intended to create opportunities for research, education, professional development, public discussions, and joint initiatives at the intersection of justice, human rights, judicial practice, and broader social issues.
International cooperation is equally important to the Association's vision. Becoming part of the International Association of Women Judges provides an opportunity to connect Bulgarian women judges with colleagues around the world, exchange experiences and good practices, and contribute to the international dialogue on judicial independence, equality, human rights, and the role of women in the judiciary.
Key priorities and initiatives
The Association's work extends beyond professional networking. It aims to contribute to continuous judicial education and to a better understanding of the social, psychological, economic, and administrative factors that affect vulnerable people involved in judicial proceedings.
Among the activities envisaged by the Association are professional training courses, seminars, conferences, roundtables, debates, public discussions, research, and awareness-raising initiatives. Particular areas of interest include judicial integrity and independence, leadership and teamwork, emotional intelligence, prevention of professional burnout and demotivation, digital competence, human rights, European and international law, and developments in the case law of national, European, and international courts.
At the same time, the Association is already working on initiatives that extend beyond the judicial profession and judicial well-being and address important challenges facing children and society as a whole.
Two projects are currently being developed with the intention of becoming operational in the autumn. The first, “Before Violence Becomes a Crime,” focuses on the prevention of violence among children and on early intervention before harmful behaviour escalates into criminal conduct. The initiative reflects the Association's belief that prevention, awareness, education, and timely support are essential tools in protecting children and creating safer communities.
The second initiative, “No More Legends – I Chose Myself,” is focused on preventing drug use among children and young people. It aims to encourage informed choices, resilience, self-awareness, and healthy alternatives, while addressing the risks associated with substance use at an early stage.
Both projects reflect an important dimension of the Association's mission: judges are not only part of the justice system responding to problems after they arise, but can also contribute to prevention, public awareness, and the development of a culture that protects vulnerable members of society.
Digital presence and public engagement
The Association is also currently developing its digital presence. A dedicated website is being created, and work is underway to establish and develop the Association's presence across relevant social media platforms. These channels will provide accessible information about the Association, its members, activities, projects, publications, and future initiatives, while also creating a space for dialogue with the wider public and professional community.
The Association intends to formally introduce its social media channels once the relevant platforms are fully prepared and populated with content. This digital presence will be an important part of the Association's efforts to make its work more visible, accessible, and connected to the broader community.
Looking to the future
In the short term, the Association's priority is to establish a strong and active professional community, create opportunities for meaningful exchange among women judges, develop partnerships, and launch initiatives that respond to both professional challenges and wider societal needs.
In the longer term, the Association aims to become a sustainable professional and international network that contributes to the development of the Bulgarian judiciary while giving Bulgarian women judges a stronger voice within the wider international judicial community. It seeks to promote a culture in which professional excellence, integrity, independence, equality, and mutual support are valued and actively encouraged.
The Association also intends to bring together specialists from different fields to develop initiatives addressing the personal development, well-being, resilience, and quality of life of judges. Recognising that a healthy and supported judiciary is essential to the effective administration of justice, the Association sees professional development and judicial well-being as complementary elements of its mission.
The establishment of the Bulgarian Association of Women Judges is therefore both a beginning and a commitment to action. We look forward to building a strong national community, developing meaningful partnerships, and contributing our experience and perspective to the broader IAWJ community. Above all, we hope to create a platform through which women judges can support one another while collectively contributing to an independent, ethical, inclusive, and trusted justice system.