Public administration/History
Gender policy in the modern Belarusian society
Svetlana Yarkovaya
Annotation: The article reviewed the principles of realization of gender policy in modern Belarusian society. The activity of the main women’s non-governmental organizations running in the Republic of Belarus has been analysed.
Keywords: gender policy, the women’s movement, the
women’s non-governmental organizations, gender problem.
The history of sovereign Belarus started in 1991. It was
the time when Belarusian women’s movement became more active. The first women’s
party in Belarus was the party “Nadezhda”. It’s noticeable that the party took
part in the elections.
The program of the
party didn’t promote the ideas of radical feminism, but came
forward with the ideas of gender equity, t.i. equal social rights and
opportunities for women and men.
At the present
stage gender policy in the Republic of Belarus is not secured by special legal acts, it is realized on the
basis of general regulations, providing equal rights to all members of the
society.
The basic
documents, that guarantee the rights and freedom not only for men but women as
well are Constitution of the Republic of Belarus,
the Labour Code, and International Documents ratified by the Republic.
During 25 years of
independence, Belarus has achieved eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, reduction
of maternal and infant mortality, offered general primary education, thus
achieving the Millennium development goals.
Such high results
were achieved by establishment of an effective national mechanism. Thus, the
National Council on gender policy was established on the Decision of the
Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus. The policy on gender
equality is implemented in the Republic of Belarus through National
action plans and Republican program “Women of the Republic of Belarus”.
Besides, gender problems are mentioned in other national programs and
projects, such as the Main Directions of State Family Policy, National Plan of Actions
for Improving the Situation of Children and Protection of their Rights, the National
Programme of Demographic Security, and State Employment Program.
Gender policy of
the Republic of Belarus is realized in the direction of creation of the conditions
for equal participation of men and women in
public administration. According to Article 24 of the Law of the
Republic of Belarus of June 14, 2003
“On the Public Service in the Republic of Belarus” on admitting to the public
service, as well as during the service none of the restrictions and (or) benefits are
allowed on the basis of gender, race, nationality, social origin, property
status, religion, convictions, and membership in political parties and other
public associations, except cases stipulated by the Constitution of the
Republic of Belarus [1].
The policy of equality
and equal opportunities for women and men, held in the Republic of Belarus suggests,
in particular, equal participation of women and men in decision-making procedures. The analysis of
women's participation in decision-making procedures at the state level in
Belarus shows positive changes in this sphere in recent years. So, now in the
highest legislative body of the Republic of Belarus one third of the seats are occupied
by women. Women hold the posts of Chairman of the Standing Committees of the
upper and lower Chambers of the National Assembly (Parliament) of the Republic
of Belarus, Chairman of the Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and
National Referendums. There are two women among the Ministers of the Republic
of Belarus.
Women are actively represented
in public life. At present, 36 women's public organizations work in Belarus.
Among them there are NGO “Belarusian Alliance of Women”, NGO “Belarusian
Association of Young Christian Women”, NGO “Women's Independent Democratic
Association” Belarusian Organization of Working Women, the Belarusian
Association of Social Workers and others. They are more active than other
women’s organizations.
We should mention “Belarusian
Alliance of Women” as one of the non-governmental public organizations
advocating for gender balance and equality. At present, it unites more than 170
thousand women living and working in different regions of Belarus. Among the
large-scale actions organized by the NGO “Belarusian Alliance of Women”, the following
programs should be mentioned “Women are against female alcoholism”, “There is
not a single abandoned child in Belarus”, “A healthy family means a healthy
state”, and the event “Family without violence” that was held with the
assistance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The crisis centers
for women who are victims of sexual and domestic abuse are opened in the
Republic. The centers are intended to provide qualified psychological,
pedagogical, legal, financial rehabilitation and social assistance to women in critical
situations, including those who are the victims of domestic violence.
Not only
governmental but non-governmental organizations as well take part in solving
problems connected with violence. Thus, “Women's Independent Democratic
Movement” organized and ran consulting women on legal and psychological matters,
involving specialists of the corresponding profile. “Belarusian Association of Young
Christian Women” implemented several social projects related to solution the
problem of violence against women.
As a result of
joint efforts of State Authorities, International Organizations and Women's Non-Governmental
Organizations the problem of violence against women became the subject of
public discourse in various layers of the society, and it was qualified as a
social problem.
As well it should
be noted that the primary organization of women- scientists was created in the
structure of NGO “Belarusian Alliance of Women”. This club includes the women
who have candidate’s and doctor’s degrees and are employed in the field of “science
and scientific services”, in education and other spheres that require highly
qualified personnel.
The organization of
women-scientists was created to join research efforts of women in solving social
significant gender issues and to create conditions for more active involvement
of young women in the sphere of science within the realization of special
programs for professional development in this sphere [2].
The club “Business
Women of Belarus” has been functioning since 2002. It was set up with the assistance
of NGO "Belarusian Alliance of
Women". At the meetings of the Club women discuss the problems concerning
their work and participation in social and political life of the society.
Belarusian Women's
Union actively cooperates with international Women's Organizations. Memorandums
on cooperation with women's organizations in Russia, Lithuania, China, Vietnam,
Syria and Ukraine were signed.
Since 2002 NGO “Belarusian
Association of Young Christian Women” has been implementing the Programme
"La Strada" dealing with prevention of human trafficking in the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Seminars,
conferences and round tables for representatives of State Institutions and
non-governmental organizations are organized
as part of the ongoing work. Cooperation with Mass media, informational
and educational activities with risk groups are actively held.
Hotline services “La
Strada” include consulting on the possibilities, conditions and rules of safe
travelling abroad for the purpose of employment, marriage and education. Also “La
Strada|” assists the families who are looking for family members abroad. Rehabilitation
and reintegration programs are carried out. They include free medical, legal,
psychological and other forms of assistance.
NGO “Cooperation of
Business and Creative Women” has created “Belarusian Women's Network”. It is an
information Internet resource of Belarusian women's communities that provides
information about the current social problems of Belarusian women, about the legislation
on the protection of women's rights and contact details of assistance centers
for people who find themselves in a difficult situation, gender studies, as
well as the catalogue of women's resources, the news about the Belarusian
women's community and international women's movement.
Thus, in modern
Belarusian society, women's organizations actively declare their general social
orientation, which has gender significance. As one of the most important
indicators of a democratic society is an aspiration for gender balance.
Bibliography:
1. On Civil Service in the Republic of Belarus: Law of
the Republic of Belarus of June 14 , 2003 ¹ 204 , as amended . and ext.: The
Law of 29 June 2004 ¹ 304 // National Register of Legal Acts of the Republic of
Belarus. - 2004 - number 120.
2. Lapina S./red.
Osnowy socialnogo gosudarstwa. BGPU im.M.Tanka, Minsk, 2008, s.45-48.