Empowering Ukrainian Refugee Women: The 10th Women’s Circle for Integration and Protection from Human Trafficking

In November, the Dignita Foundation held the tenth edition of its Women’s Circle for Empowerment of Ukrainian Refugees, in partnership with the Situational Center “Open Doors” Foundation. This special event brought together a team of experts and 20 women from Ukraine with the aim of providing valuable information about their labor rights in Bulgaria, opportunities for employment, and how to protect themselves from human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation.

Supporting Ukrainian refugees lies at the heart of this initiative, which is designed to facilitate their integration in Bulgaria and give them the knowledge they need to build a full and independent life here.

How to Search for a Job and Prepare for Applications

Daniela Dimitrova, a social inclusion expert from Dignita, guided participants through practical advice on how to successfully apply for jobs in Bulgaria. During the session, various job search channels were presented:

Job boards such as Jobs.bg

Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook

Services available through the Bulgarian Labour Office

Specialized job platforms for refugees, including the Refugee Employment Platform, launched by volunteers after the start of the war

The training also addressed the latest trends in the digital era, and how to use modern technologies effectively to find work, create a compelling CV, and become visible to potential employers.

Protection from Violations and Labor Rights in Bulgaria

Tsveta Popova, a lecturer in labor law, shared detailed information about the rights of workers and employees under Bulgarian labor legislation. Participants learned about key aspects of signing an employment contract and how to recognize potential signs of abuse or exploitation.

Ms. Popova also explained the different legal forms of employment available in Bulgaria, so that the women could be fully informed about their options and rights.

Daniela Nikolova, a senior expert at the Bulgarian Employment Agency, presented information about the services the agency offers to Ukrainian refugees. These include institutional support for job placement and access to professional qualification courses to help ease their professional integration.

How to Protect Yourself from Labor Exploitation and Human Trafficking

Special attention was given to the risks associated with labor exploitation and human trafficking.

Kamelia Dimitrova, Executive Director of Dignita Foundation, explained what to look out for when considering job offers and how to identify “red flags” in advertisements and recruitment practices. She outlined key risk factors that may indicate potential exploitation, drawing on real cases identified in a study conducted by Dignita, which involved the review of over 400 high-risk job ads.

Why the Women’s Circles Are Important

This initiative is part of Dignita’s broader efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. By providing information about their labor rights and practical guidance, the event aims to make the integration process in Bulgaria easier and to empower participants to build safer and more stable lives.

These gatherings are a vital step in creating a safe and supportive environment for refugee women in Bulgaria, where they can learn, connect, and protect themselves from harm.

This event was made possible with the financial support of the Bulgarian Fund for Women and the European Union.

The views and opinions expressed belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bulgarian Fund for Women, the European Union, or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the BFW, nor the EU, nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.