Belarus Women: What Makes Them Feel Special?

Women in Belarus have been at the forefront of the country's struggle for human rights and democracy. Despite facing a patriarchal society with endemic domestic violence, Belarusian women have been instrumental in challenging the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, with female leadership visible in demonstrations. Women have a leading role in the movement, speaking out against Lukashenko's past comments about women, which many consider sexist, and voicing frustration about the constant harassment they are subject to. Although Belarusian law has protected women since the late 16th century, and the country has signed onto all international documents of gender equality, women remain underrepresented in business and politics, and a significant wage gap remains.

Belarusian women's role in politics

Women in Belarus have played a significant role in the country's politics, particularly in recent years with the rise of the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Despite facing a patriarchal society with deep-rooted traditional gender roles, Belarusian women have demonstrated their resilience and courage in standing up for their beliefs and fighting for their rights. Here is an overview of the role of Belarusian women in politics:

Belarusian Women in Politics:

Belarusian women have a relatively high level of political representation and participation. They hold about 30% of the seats in the country's parliament, which is higher than the world average of 22.9%. Additionally, they have a high level of labour force participation and are well-educated, with more women enrolled in universities than men. However, despite these achievements, Belarusian women still face discrimination and barriers in certain areas.

One notable aspect of Belarusian politics is the existence of various women's organisations and unions, such as the Belarusian Women's Union (BWU), which is the biggest women's organisation in the country. The BWU aims to promote the rights and interests of women, families, and children, enhance their role in various sectors, including politics and economics, and actively participate in legislative activities. The BWU has a strong presence at different levels, from regional to national, and collaborates with various government agencies and ministries.

Recent Political Protests:

In 2020 and 2021, Belarusian women played a crucial role in the widespread protests against President Alexander Lukashenko's regime. Lukashenko has been criticised for his misogynistic remarks and behaviour, and his marginalisation of political opponents. In response, a political alliance was formed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Maria Kolesnikova, and Veronika Tsepkalo, who backed Tikhanovskaya as their mutual candidate for the presidency. This movement gained significant support, particularly among women, who took to the streets in large numbers, often wearing white and carrying roses, to oppose Lukashenko's rule.

The protests highlighted the resilience and courage of Belarusian women, who faced less violent risks than their male counterparts due to societal expectations and gender norms. However, they still endured threats, intimidation, and harassment from the authorities. Notable figures who have faced repercussions include Maria Kalesnikava, who was imprisoned, and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was forced into exile. Amnesty International has reported on the reprisals and threats faced by women activists, including accusations of being "bad mothers" and "bad wives", as well as threats to take away their children.

International Recognition:

The role of Belarusian women in their country's politics has gained international recognition. The US Mission to the OSCE honoured their fight for civil and political rights, drawing comparisons to the Suffragettes. The US Secretary of State also presented the International Women of Courage award to democracy activist Maria Kalesnikava for her advocacy.

In conclusion, Belarusian women have played a significant and courageous role in their country's politics, particularly in recent years. They have challenged traditional gender roles and a patriarchal society, risking their safety to stand up for their beliefs and fight for their rights. While they have faced threats and discrimination, they continue to strive for a more equal and just society.

Women's rights in Belarus

Education

Belarusian women have higher educational attainment than men, with 54.6% attaining higher and special secondary educational degrees, compared to 37.1% of men. However, traditional gender norms and societal expectations continue to shape their career trajectories, with women encouraged to pursue typically feminine subjects and men opting for vocational education.

Labour Market

Even though Belarusian law forbids discrimination based on gender, in reality, women often face discrimination in the workplace. They are more likely to be employed in lower-paying sectors such as education, health, and social security, and are under-represented in higher-paid positions. The gender wage gap has increased over time, with women earning 25% less than men in 2017.

Political Empowerment

In the Global Gender Gap Index 2022, Belarus ranked 36th out of 146 countries, scoring 0.750 out of 1.0 for gender parity. While this is an improvement from its previous ranking of 26th in 2018, it still indicates room for progress. Women hold only a quarter of the seats in the upper house of parliament, and there has never been a female head of state. Belarus ranks 69th in political empowerment, indicating underrepresentation in politics and leadership.

Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations

Civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in promoting women's rights in Belarus. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for example, works to promote reproductive health, population development, and gender equality. Local organizations like the Center for Promotion of Women's Rights provide legal assistance to victims of gender-based violence and discrimination, with a particular focus on domestic violence.

Protests and Political Activism

Belarusian women have been at the forefront of protests against the authoritarian regime, leveraging their femininity and traditional gender roles to protect male protestors from state-sanctioned violence. They have also created solidarity chains, becoming symbols of resistance. Women activists have faced reprisals, threats, and ill-treatment, including accusations of being "bad mothers" and "bad wives", and even threats of having their children taken away. Despite the risks, they continue to play a crucial role in the struggle for freedom and human rights in Belarus.

Gender equality in employment

Belarusian women are better educated than men, live about a decade longer, and have a high level of labour force participation and representation in politics. In the latest Global Gender Gap Index, Belarus ranked 26th out of 144 countries, indicating a high level of gender equality. However, despite their higher educational attainment, women in Belarus still face disadvantages in the labour market and are often discriminated against, especially when it comes to employment opportunities and wages.

Belarusian women face barriers in the labour market, which contribute to their lower representation in managerial and leadership positions. Here are some key aspects of gender equality in employment in Belarus:

• Education: Women in Belarus attain higher levels of education than men. They are more likely to pursue university degrees, while men tend towards vocational education. This may be due to women facing barriers in the labour market, prompting them to seek higher qualifications.
• Employment Opportunities: Despite their higher educational attainment, women in Belarus are 2.5 times less likely to be given managerial positions than men. They are more likely to be white-collar workers but are underrepresented in firm ownership and management.
• Wage Gap: Belarusian women are paid less than men, even when holding the same position. The gender wage gap has increased over the years and is most prominent in male-dominated occupations like mining and manufacturing. This gap may be due to women being employed in lower-paying sectors and their underrepresentation in higher-paid positions.
• Maternity Benefits: Young women are often seen as "undesirable" employees by employers due to mandatory maternity benefits, including a minimum of 126 days of paid maternity leave and 969 days of paid parental leave. While these benefits support women in their roles as mothers, they may also impact their hiring prospects.
• Retirement Age: There is a gender gap in retirement age, with women retiring at 55 and men at 60. This difference can adversely affect women's career opportunities and long-term financial prospects.
• Traditional Gender Roles: Traditional views on the role of women persist in Belarusian society. More than half the population believes that women primarily want to stay at home with children. These societal expectations can limit women's career opportunities and contribute to discrimination in the labour market.
• Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is a significant issue in Belarus, with one in three women experiencing violence at home. This violence can impact women's ability to pursue education, careers, and equal opportunities.
• Legal Framework: Belarus has legislation in place, such as the Labor Code, that forbids discrimination based on gender in the labour market. However, discrimination still occurs in practice.

To promote gender equality in employment, Belarus has implemented various initiatives and received support from organisations like the UNDP and UNFPA. These efforts focus on addressing discrimination, promoting women's entrepreneurship and leadership, and providing support to balance work and family responsibilities.

Domestic violence

Belarusian society is deeply patriarchal, and domestic violence is endemic. Women are expected to fulfil the role of homemakers and remain within the domestic sphere, safeguarding the family unit as wives and mothers. Tenderness, a gentle nature, agreeability and deference to authority are considered ideal traits for women. While women in Belarus are better educated than men, they still face disadvantages in the labour market and are discriminated against, especially when it comes to employment and promotion opportunities.

The true extent of domestic violence in Belarus is unknown due to underreporting. The Belarusian government stated in 2004 that 30% of women in the country had experienced domestic violence, while a 2001 report by the United Nations Development Fund for Women put this figure at 20%. However, the system of reporting domestic violence is flawed, and many women fear coming forward due to the risk of losing their children and facing further abuse. The police and society often view domestic violence as acceptable, and perpetrators are rarely punished.

In 2018, the Ministry of Internal Affairs developed a bill to counter domestic violence, but this was met with resistance from President Alexander Lukashenko, who refused to criminalise domestic violence, citing Belarusian Slavic traditions. As a result, the bill was abandoned, and no specific legislation exists to protect women from domestic violence. The lack of legal protection, coupled with societal expectations of women as homemakers, makes it difficult for Belarusian women to escape abusive situations.

The government has supported the establishment of crisis centres and a free hotline for women, but these efforts are insufficient without comprehensive legal reform. The government's resistance to addressing domestic violence perpetuates a culture of impunity, leaving women vulnerable to abuse and unable to seek justice.

To effectively tackle domestic violence in Belarus, the government must prioritise the following measures:

• Enact comprehensive legislation criminalising domestic violence and providing legal protection for victims.
• Improve the reporting system for domestic violence, ensuring confidentiality and protection for victims who come forward.
• Train law enforcement and forensic professionals to appropriately handle cases of domestic violence and support victims.
• Address gender inequalities and discriminatory societal norms that contribute to domestic violence.
• Provide resources and support for crisis centres and shelters for victims of domestic violence.
• Raise awareness about domestic violence, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, and promote gender equality in education and the media.

Women's education

Belarusian women are, on average, better educated than men. Almost 100% of girls are enrolled in school, and 54.6% of women attain higher and special secondary educational degrees, compared to approximately 37.1% of men. Despite this, women are still at a disadvantage in the labour market. They are more likely to be white-collar workers, but they are 2.5 times less likely to be given a managerial position than men. Belarusian women are paid less than men, even if they hold the same position. The gender wage gap increased from 19% in 2001 to 25% in 2017.

Women are under-represented in higher-paid positions, even in sectors where they make up the majority of the workforce, such as healthcare, education, and social work. They are also legally prohibited from occupying 181 professions across 42 working spheres due to the potentially harmful working conditions that pose a risk to their reproductive health.

Women are also under-represented in politics and business. Although around 30% of parliamentary members are female, there are very few female chairpersons, administrators, and deputies. In 2016, women only occupied 23% of high academic positions, and in the 2017 rating of the best business people in Belarus, only 7 out of 200 were women.

The Belarusian Ministry of Education provides a gender and cultural education guideline for public curriculums, stating that students must have an "understanding of a traditional natural culture image of a man and a woman; awareness about socially approved qualities of boys, male adolescents, men and girls, female adolescents, and women." Traditional gender roles are reinforced in the educational system, and in one 2014 study, 47% of female pupils reported being reminded of their ultimate roles as mothers and wives when they strayed from "feminine" behaviour.

Despite the high level of education among Belarusian women, they continue to face barriers in the labour market and are unable to escape their indoctrinated gender roles to break into the public sphere. However, there are some signs of progress. For example, the Karat Coalition for Gender Equality is working to have Belarusian law explicitly ensure women's human rights and is currently working on a draft law on gender equality, which has received positive feedback from the government.

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