PWN Sofia: Launch for the people of Bulgaria

At the end of October 2017, a group of professional women in Sofia, Bulgaria got together to launch the PWN Sofia city network. The event was powered by the internal women’s organization of AccorHotels, and supported by Novotel Sofia, operated by AccorHotels. 

Bente Fjeldberg, PWN Global’s VP New Networks was a welcomed addition to the event and presented the network to the new members. 

The mission of PWN Sofia is to enhance gender balance leadership in business and improve social governance in Bulgaria, and in Sofia as the capital city.

Regardless of its possibly misleading geography, there is a viable female leadership tradition in Bulgaria with 38% of managers being women versus the 33% EU average (source Eurostat). The country seems to be well positioned in terms of gender balance versus the EU average indicators, and it has no mandatory quotas as in most EU members. In 2012 Bulgaria had 16% of board members women versus 14% EU average. In 2016, Bulgaria was at 18% versus EU average of 23%. (source EC). Taking these statistics into account, along with the fact that the country has some leading ladies in power, with a great female talent pipeline, Bulgaria is well positioned to achieve the EU directive of 40% board members with its continuing positive trajectory. 

There are numerous women’s organizations in the country, most of them support gender equality and women’s rights, one of them unites leading women in business. It is believed that PWN Sofia will bring a unique local contribution courtesy by way of its global member base of knowledgeable and inspiring professionals, as well as its mission to unite government, industry and social organizations to the goal of gender balanced leadership.

Some 50 people attended the first event of PWN Sofia October 30th 2017, including six motivated men who support the cause. Most of the participants became members, others agreed to partner and collaborate. 

A prominent guest was Antoaneta Kurteanu, board member of one of the biggest Bulgarian banks, and member of our closest city network, Bucharest based PWN Romania, which continues to be a source of inspiration for PWN Sofia. 

There is still a lot to do in this country in order to get closer to the EU targets, and to increase the social awareness on the importance of the cause. PWN Sofia has committed to it. As we go to print, PWN Sofia is attending it to its final preparations for its next event which they hope will enable them to garner more support and continue with the mission.

PWN Global welcomes PWN Sofia to the family, and wishes them well.