The Changing Role of Women in Belarusian Prodemocracy Politics

In recent years, women in Belarus have taken on prominent leadership roles in the prodemocracy movement, marking a significant shift from the past. This change was catalyzed by the 2020 presidential campaign and subsequent mass protests against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Women like Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maria Kalesnikava, and Veronica Tsepkalo emerged as key figures in the opposition movement, rallying support for democratic change.

Before this shift, women in Belarus faced challenges in political participation due to state repression, patriarchal norms, and gender stereotypes. They were often relegated to grassroots tasks within political parties and faced backlash when speaking on issues beyond traditional “women’s issues.” Lukashenko himself reinforced traditional gender roles, portraying women as weak and in need of protection.

Despite these barriers, women were active in challenging the regime through civic initiatives. Groups like “March, Baby!” and “Mothers 328” advocated for issues like domestic violence protections and drug policy reform, using nonviolent tactics to engage with state officials. These initiatives, although initially nonpolitical, later intersected with the prodemocracy movement.

In the 2020 protests, women turned out in large numbers, with many participating for the first time in political life. The female-led opposition leadership, including Tsikhanouskaya, Kalesnikava, and Tsepkalo, played a crucial role in mobilizing support against Lukashenko. Women’s unique contributions to the protests, such as decentralized leadership and horizontal communication, were noted.

However, the regime responded to the protests with brutal repression, leading to the exile of many opposition leaders and activists. Women who remained in Belarus faced threats of imprisonment and intimidation, forcing them to shift their activism towards nonpolitical initiatives to avoid persecution.

Not all women in Belarus supported the prodemocracy movement, with some maintaining loyalty to the regime. The Lukashenko government actively promoted women into government structures, creating a superficial appearance of gender equality. Regime-loyal women condemned those supporting the opposition, highlighting the complex dynamics of women’s political engagement in Belarus.

In exile, women like Tsikhanouskaya continue to lead the prodemocracy movement, engaging in high-level negotiations and international advocacy. Women’s groups in the diaspora work to ensure gender balance and representation within the opposition movement, recognizing the importance of women’s voices in the fight for democracy.

As Belarus navigates a period of political stagnation, the role of women in the prodemocracy movement remains crucial. While women have made significant strides in leadership roles, the future of their involvement depends on ongoing efforts to safeguard women’s rights and ensure their continued representation in the democratic transition.