BELARUSIAN WOMEN UNITE TO NETWORK, NOT PROTEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MINSK 000312 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/IWI, EUR/UMB, EUR/ACE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BO SUBJECT: BELARUSIAN WOMEN UNITE TO NETWORK, NOT PROTEST Classified By: Ambassador Karen Stewart for reason 1.4 (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Belarusian women's groups are working together to establish a women's network and a large women's coalition that would eventually focus on democracy promotion and increasing women's activism in Belarus. However, many obstacles, including fear, economic instability, and social attitudes, prevent most women from actively working to promote change in the country. In an effort to facilitate networking opportunities for women leaders, Ambassador conducted several events during Women's History Month highlighting the accomplishments of international women activists and encouraging Belarusian women leaders to establish and strengthen contacts. End summary. Women's Groups in Belarus Focus on Networking, Not Politics -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In a recent meeting with Poloff, Belarusian Women's League Head Nina Stuzhinskaya lamented the lack of opportunities in the past for women leaders to network. As a result, Stuzhinskaya and other women's groups leaders are working together to establish a U.S. NGO IRI-funded women's network in Belarus. The network's member groups, which include Belarusian Women's League, Vitebsk women's organization "Uliana", Belarusian Association of Students, Gomel Organization of Women Lawyers, Women's Club "Bona" in Kobrin, Svetlogorsk Women's Initiative, the women's wing of the Belarusian Popular Front, and two women's groups in Mogilyov, are actively recruiting more women's groups and activists to join their network. ¶3. (C) Stuzhinskaya and the other women leaders' goals center on the creation of a formidable women's network for democracy promotion and a large women's coalition. However, the groups in the network avoid initially discussing democratic themes with potential members. For now, they are holding seminars and networking events that focus on "safer topics," such as gender equality and domestic violence, while broadening their contact base. Once the network is fully-established, Stuzhinskaya told POLOFF that the leaders plan to shift the focus to activism and democracy promotion. ¶4. (C) On March 28, in honor of Women's History Month (March) and International Women's Day (March 8),Ambassador gave a presentation on the efforts of historical and contemporary women activists to transform the world and presented the poster show "Road to Equality: How American Women Won the Right to Vote" to Belarusian women leaders at a reception at the Pushkin Library American Corner in Minsk. Stuzhinkskaya praised Ambassador's main Women's History Month event as a valuable opportunity for Belarusian women to hear of the success stories of international women activists as well as a rare opportunity for Belarusian women to network with each other on a large scale. ¶5. (C) In a meeting with Econoff, Fund for Economic Research and Legal Initiatives Advisor Tatyana Bykova expressed her belief that women's groups organized around professions would be successful in helping women network and improve their skills. She appreciated the vision of organizations like the Women's Institute "Envila", noting that the university plans to set up resource centers in the regions for its members and other women to help them succeed professionally once the college has a critical mass of alumni. Also, in honor of Women's History Month, Ambassador spoke with students from Envila about the successes of women activists around the world and encouraged them to consider their roles as future women leaders. (Note: Ambassador conducted similar presentations and discussions during March in the regions with local female students and community leaders. End note.) Unemployment, Fear, and Social Mores Limit Women Activism -------------- -------------- ¶6. (C) Leading women activists agree that most Belarusian women are not ready to work for change because of their poor self-image, their satisfaction with the status quo, and their fear of an uncertain economic future. Kobrin Women's Club "Bona" Head Alla Sapezhinskaya stated that only a small portion of women are ready to defend their rights. The rest, she asserted, are content with being dependent on their husbands. ¶7. (C) According to Women's Independent Democratic Movement MINSK 00000312 002 OF 002 Head Lyudmila Petina, the majority of women support Lukashenko because his numerous social initiatives help mothers, families, and children and provide stability to the country. She added that the few women that desire change are afraid to protest for fear of having their benefits or family's source of income taken away. Stuzhinskaya and Gomel United Civic Party activist Galina Sokhorod separately told Poloffs that women are less likely to stand up to the authorities given the relatively few economic opportunities available to them. With unemployment among women so high particularly in the regions, they argued that potential job loss resulting from their political activities would be too much to risk. ¶8. (C) Petina offered, however, that a small percentage of the young and middle-aged women is more willing to protest. Like their compatriots, they too value stability, but hate the strangling control the GOB has over them, which makes them more wiling to stand up for their rights. Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) It is encouraging to see that women's groups are finally seeking opportunities to establish a formal network and become stronger. However, fears and social attitudes are proving to be considerable obstacles in uniting women to actively work for democratic change in Belarus. If Belarusian women can overcome these obstacles, a strong women's coalition could be a formidable force in bringing about change in Belarus. Moore