Last Monday, thousands of people took to the streets of over forty Bulgarian towns and cities to protest domestic violence and the state’s failure to take action against it. The spontaneous mobilization “is a clear sign that there is a growing sensibility when it comes to domestic violence in Bulgaria, which is of epidemic proportions,” one feminist campaigner explained. It was also an exceptional expression of solidarity in a country with few examples of strong grassroots political movements.

The protests were surely unexpected. Bulgaria has in recent years seen vile political attacks against feminist and pro-LGBTQ movements, while institutional efforts to curb domestic violence have faced sabotage by the parties who claim to stand for family values. In this sense, the demonstrations also catalyzed a wider debate around gender-based violence and the normalization of misogyny. In just a week, public outrage forced the revision of multiple laws, the public shaming of celebrities, and the resignation of an MP.

Yet much remains to be done in changing the misogynistic culture of Bulgarian public life. Important calls for long-term reforms such as the introduction of sex education in schools and the provision of comprehensive material, medical, and mental health support remain largely under the radar of mainstream political parties.