Women Empowerment & Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025
We are pleased to announce the Women Empowerment & Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025, taking place in Stockholm on 16-17 June 2025.
Organised by International IDEA in partnership with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, and the Gender Equality Team of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, and supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), this high-level forum will bring together prominent voices from the democratic movement, civil society, and international institutions.
We are happy to have HE Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden; HE Benjamin Dousa, Minister for Development Cooperation and Trade of Sweden; Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of the democratic forces of Belarus; Dag Hartelius, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA, Karolina Ostrzyniewska, Ambassador of Republic of Poland to Sweden, and Linas Linkevičius, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Sweden alongside of distinguished gender and women empowerment experts.
The Forum will spotlight the pivotal role of Belarusian women in advancing democracy and human rights, while exploring inclusive, gender-responsive pathways for democratic transition. Discussions will focus on women’s political leadership, policy and legislative solutions for gender equality, and responses to gender-based violence.
One of the key highlights will be the launch of the 2025 Leadership Programme for Belarusian Women, offering tailored support to strengthen leadership capacities, foster peer learning, and promote active participation in democratic processes.
The Forum aims to foster dialogue, share lessons learned, and shape actionable strategies for a democratic and inclusive future in and for Belarus.
This event is by invitation only.
