Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the role of statistics and sociological research in the Committee of the Bulgarian Women’s Movement's ongoing attempts to reshape the sexual politics of communist Bulgarian society.

Paper long abstract:

Although the emancipation of women was one of the core ideological goals of communist regimes, the incorporation of women into the formal labor force often produced an unbearable double burden for women who maintained primary responsibility for childcare and housework while also working full time. This paper examines the role of statistics and sociological research in the efforts of the Committee of the Bulgarian Women's Movement (CBWM) to advocate for greater social supports for women between 1968 and 1989.

The collection and dissemination of statistical data regarding women's time use and their fertility intentions was the key tool for Bulgarian women trying to force elite male politicians to expend the resources necessary to support women's dual roles. Although sociology was a suspect discipline for many communist regimes, women in the CBWM strategically deployed the tools of sociological research to their advantage, using nationally representative surveys of women's opinions to influence high-level policymaking. Specifically, the CBWM bombarded politburo members with carefully designed charts and graphs demonstrating a variety of women's needs not yet being met by the Bulgarian state, including the provision of kindergartens, crèches, and extended, paid maternity leaves. By statistically demonstrating the links between women's double burden and declining fertility rates, the CBWM successfully convinced Bulgaria's leaders to drastically expand state entitlements for working mothers while preserving the widespread availability of abortion. As a result, statistics became the primary tool of the CBWM in its ongoing attempts to reshape sexual politics in communist Bulgarian society.