As part of the UNIgreen Alliance’s Equality Days, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv organised two key events addressing some of today’s most pressing social challenges: the Gender Pay Gap Seminar and the interactive workshop “Smash the Stereotypes.” Both activities, held on 11 and 17 November 2025, highlighted the university’s strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Gender Pay Gap Seminar: Understanding Inequalities to Foster Change
On 11 November 2025, students gathered for a highly engaging seminar on the gender pay gap, jointly organised by Work Package 5 and Work Package 2 of the UNIgreen Alliance. Led by Assoc. Prof. Rositsa Beluhova-Uzunova, the session explored the root causes, consequences, and policy responses related to persistent wage inequalities between men and women.
Participants learned about the difference between the unadjusted pay gap, which reflects overall earnings disparities, and the adjusted gap, which takes into account education, occupation, working hours, and sector. The seminar also examined the social and structural factors shaping pay inequality, from career progression barriers to long-term effects on pensions and financial security.
A significant part of the discussion focused on EU policies, including the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, the Work-Life Balance Directive, and the Pay Transparency Directive (2023). These instruments aim to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in employment practices across Europe.
The session concluded with a reflection on the role of universities and research institutions in promoting gender equality through inclusive policies, awareness-raising initiatives, and institutional commitment. The Agricultural University – Plovdiv reaffirmed its dedication to fostering a more equitable academic environment within the UNIgreen Alliance.
Replay Available: Watch the Seminar Again
Workshop “Smash the Stereotypes”: Seeing Beyond Labels
On 17 November, the dynamic workshop “Smash the Stereotypes” invited students to explore how social labels and prejudices continue to shape everyday interactions in Bulgaria. Led by Assoc. Prof. Rositsa Beluhova-Uzunova and Chief Assistant Prof. Krum Hristov, the session combined playful activities with deep social reflection.
The workshop opened with the icebreaker “Guess the Label.” Participants wore sticky notes bearing labels such as “gay,” “mother with three children,” “Muslim,” “teenager,” or “autism.” Without seeing their own label, students interacted with one another and then tried to guess the identity they had been assigned. The activity sparked laughter but also meaningful insight into how quickly and unconsciously people rely on social categories.
The second part of the workshop addressed a series of common stereotypes written on colourful sheets of paper, including “Men don’t cry,” “Women belong in the kitchen,” “Older people don’t understand technologies,” and “People with depression are just weak.” Students discussed how these clichés continue to influence societal attitudes, affecting gender roles, minority groups, rural communities, and mental health.
Using Mentimeter, participants then shared their perceptions of how stereotypes operate in Bulgarian society. The group’s responses showed that, despite progress in recent years, deep-rooted biases still shape opportunities and public attitudes.
The workshop closed with a collective message: stereotypes limit both people and societies, and dismantling them is essential for building empathy, respect, and sustainable human development.
A Shared Commitment to Equality
Through these two complementary events, the Agricultural University – Plovdiv and the UNIgreen Alliance demonstrated their ongoing dedication to promoting equality, inclusion, and social awareness. By combining knowledge, reflection, and interactive learning, Equality Days provided students with valuable tools to recognise inequalities and contribute to meaningful change in their communities.
A global article summarising all Equality Days actions across every UNIgreen campus will be published soon, stay tuned!
