Headline: Fathers March in Dobrich Calling for Joint Custody and Against Parental Alienation
Subhead: Protest held during ‘Father’s Day’ supports national campaign for shared parenting
Article:
Hundreds of fathers gathered at the ‘Democracy’ square in Dobrich on Father’s Day, not just to celebrate, but to protest under the banner, "NO to Parental Alienation and YES to Shared Parenthood!" The rally was part of a national campaign and protest scheduled for the upcoming Thursday in the capital, initiated by the ‘For Shared Parenthood’ foundation.
Organizer and participating father, Nikolay Lyakov, a pedagogue himself, expressed his satisfaction with the increased awareness among parliamentary groups this year. "We’ve seen three bills introduced in the National Assembly, and a fourth is anticipated. Our foundation’s bill is the most comprehensive," he stated.
Lyakov emphasized that the protest wasn’t merely about fathers’ rights, but also about ensuring every child has equal access to both parents. "There are many women in Bulgaria who’ve been separated from their children for years. This isn’t just a gender issue. Each year, the State Agency for Protection of Children receives around 250 signals of children at risk, opening about 50-60 cases. Sometimes, the Law for Protection Against Domestic Violence is misused to restrict one parent’s access," he added.
First-time participant, Lyubomir Todorov, shares Lyakov’s concerns. With an 11-year-old child, Todorov emphasized the urgency of systemic change. "My child should be laughing and growing, not suffering due to this. I believe all of us, along with institutions, should address this. Right now, I’m forbidden from approaching my own child. I think the Law for Protection Against Domestic Violence is sometimes abused to limit parent-child contact," he stated.
The Dobrich protest echoed sentiments heard nationwide, with fathers advocating for change in the archaic custody laws, pushing for shared parenting as the norm, and opposing parental alienation strategies. As the ‘For Shared Parenthood’ campaign continues, more protests are expected in the coming weeks.
