Sofia, June 8 (BTA) - The NO to Cyber Violence Against Women and
 Children campaign is being launched under the auspices of Vice
President Iliana Iotova and at the initiative of the local
branch of Zonta International, the head of State's press
secretariat said Tuesday. The project, which will continue until
 April 2022, brings together representatives of the Executive,
local authorities, various institutions, and the nongovernmental
 sector with the goal of conducting a large-scale information
campaign and various trainings, followed by the elaboration of
proposals for working policies on the issue.

The first online meeting for the project's launch stressed the
need for a national policy on intervention that would include
the drafting of adequate legislation, and on prevention of cyber
 violence against women and children.
   
Vice President Iotova singled out publicity as the first and
main step in the fight against cyber violence. She expressed
concern that a large part of the victims do not report the
problem out of fear and discomfort.
    
Iotova cited UNICEF data for Bulgaria showing that 57 per cent
of those aged between 16 and 19 evaluate their own digital
skills as basic or above, compared to an EU-average of 82 per
cent. The leading partner in the fight against cyber violence is
 the education system, Iotova argued.

NV/DS