Belarusian Independent Trade Unions Raised the Issue of Gender-Based Violence in Bremen

On December 6, at the Bremen Trade Union House, Salidarnast e.V. held an event as part of the international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” Participants included activists from Belarusian independent trade unions and their families, as well as guests from various cities – Bremen, Warsaw, Frankfurt am Main, and Hanover.

Joining the meeting were Siarhei Drazdouski, founder and director of the Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Ihar Barysau, leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada).

Despite the seriousness of the topic, the organizers deliberately chose an interactive, “live” format with elements of games, discussions, and tasks. Speakers emphasized that violence against women affects millions of people and is not limited to the workplace: it penetrates everyday life, undermines safety, health, and opportunities. Some participants shared their personal experiences of resisting violence and discrimination at work.

During the meeting, gender stereotypes, trade union practices in protecting women, and ILO Convention No. 190 on the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work were discussed. Lizaveta Merliak and Yauheniya Paluyan presented the “Hvaltometer” they had developed back in Belarus – a visual scale of workplace violence and harassment that helps women understand where “awkwardness” ends and unacceptable behavior begins.

Lizaveta Merliak also explained the essence of ILO Convention No. 190 and why its adoption is important for Belarus. Complementing the discussion was a mini-exhibition of Yauheniya Paluyan’s cartoons about workplace violence. Maryia Taradzetskaya together with Tatsiana Trafimava conducted a session on gender stereotypes in a playful format.

Organizers reminded participants that in the EU, one in three women has experienced physical, sexual, or psychological violence in intimate relationships, and globally these figures are even higher. Therefore, violence is not a “private matter” but a workplace issue, a societal problem, and a human rights concern. In this context, participants were invited to debunk several persistent myths:

Myth 1 — Partner violence is a private matter and does not concern society. In reality, it affects safety, well-being, and equality. ILO Convention No. 190 explicitly recognizes it as a workplace issue: violence reduces productivity, increases absenteeism, and can endanger colleagues, while work often remains one of the few safe spaces.

Myth 2 — Employers cannot do anything. They can: risk assessments, flexible schedules, protected contact information, safe working conditions, paid leave, and clear support protocols can truly change the situation — and sometimes save lives.

Myth 3 — “It’s too complicated.” Sometimes simply asking “Are you safe at home?” opens the path to help. It is important to listen without judgment, respect the person’s autonomy, and, if necessary, refer them to support services. In cases of immediate danger, the police must be contacted.

Myth 4 — This is “not a trade union issue.” In fact, trade unions can and should play a key role in prevention and protection: through collective agreements, training, advocacy, and cooperation with NGOs.

It is also worth emphasizing that the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) is engaged in “future work” — preparing labor law reforms on combating discrimination in Belarus, included in the “Reanimation Reform Package.”

This project explicitly establishes norms prohibiting gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace and in work-related situations: from business trips and training to official correspondence and commuting. A separate section defines sexual harassment as a form of gender discrimination that degrades human dignity and creates a hostile environment, while listing specific manifestations — from “jokes” and comments to threats, blackmail, and coercion.

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