On March 8 , the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic

Natalya Kachanova

mentioned how Lukashenka protects women.

"The main patron and defender of women's interests is our president, respected Alexander Ryhorovich Lukashenko, who sincerely believes in us and always supports us in everything.

But the most important thing is that thanks to the wisdom and willpower of our leader, we can live, work and raise children in such a wonderful peaceful and happy country that we have.

It's worth it," Kachanava said.

Let's see what the numbers say about the "chief patron of women".

534 Belarusians convicted of politics after 2020

Such figures are published by the human rights center "Viasna".

Many women have gone through violence and abuse by the Belarusian security forces.

155 Belarusian women were recognized as police prisoners

However, human rights activists believe that there may be many more Belarusian women convicted of protests.

Many Belarusian activists, such as human rights defender Marfa Rabkova or a member of Babaryka's staff Maria Kalesnikova, have suffered significant health problems behind bars.

56 Belarusians were convicted on criminal charges for their anti-war stance

Natalya Kachanova talks about a "peaceful country".

However, since February 24, Belarus has been an accomplice of Russia in the war against Ukraine.

Since that day, security forces have detained at least 1,575 Belarusians for their anti-war stance.

56 people were convicted on criminal charges, including women.

150-200 thousand Belarusians left their homeland

According to the calculations of the research center Beroc, 150-200 thousand people left Belarus due to political repressions and the war.

That is, after 2020, tens of thousands of women are forced to look for a new home and arrange their lives anew.

58 people were detained upon returning to Belarus

In 2022 and 2023, security forces detained at least 58 people upon their return to Belarus.

Among them are women, such as

Tatsiana Kurilyna

, a chat administrator who is now facing up to 15 years in prison.

3.9%, or over 350,000 Belarusian men and women, live below the poverty line

3.9% of Belarusians have an income lower than the subsistence minimum budget - the norm that the state considers sufficient for the minimum needs of a citizen for a month.

Now this budget is 341 rubles per month.

This is 5 times less than the average salary.

Minus 3.6%.

The real incomes of Belarusian men and women for 2022 have fallen so much

According to Belstat's calculations, from 2021 to 2022, real incomes of Belarusians (adjusted for price increases) fell by 3.6%.