Bulgarian Health Minister Proposes Legislative Ban on Births to Women under 18 Years of Age

18 May 2007

On 10 October 2006, the nongovernmental organisation Amalipe reported that on 9 October 2006 Dr Radoslav Gajdarski, Bulgaria's Minister of Health, announced plans for legislative changes to ban women under the age of eighteen from giving birth. Dr Gajdarski further stated that the measure would be mainly directed at girls from minority groups. Dr Gajdarski's announcement provoked a strong negative reaction by Bulgarian parliamentarians, who stated uncategorically that such a measure would never be implemented in Bulgaria.

(Amalipe)