Belarus: The struggle for democracy has a female face

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women states that the struggle for democracy in Belarus has a female face. The experts of the organization note that women take part in the protests, show amazing courage and strength of spirit. UN human rights activists express their support for the women of Belarus, who bravely defend their rights.

Experts from the Committee on Discrimination against Women emphasize that the fairer sex play a central role in political processes around the world.

“Women holding hands during protests are a very important and powerful symbol,” the statement said.

Thousands of white-clad women with flowers in their hands took to the streets of the capital, Minsk, to protest against the use of force by law enforcement, as well as to express their disagreement with the results of the presidential election.

It should be reminded that according to official data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won the elections held in Belarus on August 9^th. He is being elected President of Belarus for the sixth time. According to the final results published by the Central Election Commission of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote. According to official information, about 10% of voters voted for her main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Protests in that country have not stopped since August 9^th.

“The struggle for democracy in Belarus has a female face, and many people already recognize this fact,” said experts from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

At the same time, they express concern over the information received, according to which violence is used against women by the security forces.

“Women showed incredible courage. “For example, 73-year-old Nina Baginskaya, who resisted law enforcement officers when the latter took away the Belarusian national flag during a protest,” the experts said.

They note that many women, including journalists, were arrested during the protests. Some of them said that they had been abused, beaten and even raped.

Committee members stressed the importance of free, democratic and inclusive electoral processes based on respect for women’s rights.

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