Celebration of spring, creation, tenderness. Women’s Day in Belarus

MINSK, 8 March (BelTA) – Belarusians celebrate Women’s Day and International Women’s Day on 8 March. The holiday is viewed as a day of spring, women’s beauty, tenderness, warmth, and attention to women regardless of their age and status. On this day the fair half of humankind receives well-deserved congratulations and words of gratitude for their creative labor, love, heartfelt generosity, and inspiration.

The decision to celebrate International Women’s Day every year was made at the 2nd International Conference of Socialists in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1910. The initiator was Clara Zetkin. The original name was the Day of International Solidarity of Women in the Struggle for Economic, Social and Political Equality. For the first time it was celebrated in 1911 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. And in various countries celebrations were held on different days of March.

The tradition of marking the holiday on 8 March appeared after 1914. In the USSR this day was a weekday for quite a long time and it was declared a day off only in 1965.

This holiday was officially proclaimed by the United Nations Organization in 1975 - in the year declared by the UN as the International Year of Women. After the collapse of the Soviet Union some states abandoned this holiday. Belarus kept it. Only the name was changed. Now it is Women’s Day.

In 2026 the holiday gained special significance in our country. By a presidential decree this year has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman. Made at a high state level, this decision highlights the exceptional role of our female compatriots in the fate of the country. It is a recognition of women’s achievements in all spheres from raising the next generation to reaching new heights in science and professional fields.

According to the Labor and Social Protection Ministry, there are over 4 million women over the age of 18 living in Belarus, and their activity sets the tone for the development of the society. The employment rate of Belarusian women of working age is one of the highest in Europe. It stands at 84.8%. Our women skillfully combine family and career, with almost half a million working women raising underage children.

This year Belarus will host a series of large-scale events dedicated to the Year of the Belarusian Woman and aimed at unlocking the potential of every member of the fair sex.

On 1 March the republican campaign “Mother is the vocation” was launched in the country and will last until 14 October. The initiative is aimed at promoting the social role of modern Belarusian women as well as raising the status of parents-educators in family-type orphanages and mothers raising children with disabilities.

This year for the first time at the national level Belarus will select the best grandmother in the country.

Apart from that, the first forum of women scientists will be held in the country in June. Representatives from various fields from all over the country will take part in it. One of the key events of 2026 will be the launch of a women’s Internet radio station.

During the Year of the Belarusian Woman various international forums, cultural and social events, and national competitions will be held in the republic, including “Woman of the year,” “Family of the year,” and the youth project “Girl’s peace bouquet”.

The Year of the Belarusian Woman will conclude with an international forum on the role of women in preserving peace, which will summarize the year’s activities and will serve as a platform for discussing achievements and plans for the future.

On 5 March all general secondary education institutions held a unified lesson titled as “Belarusian women – a symbol of strength and inspiration.” Students were invited to remember the great daughters of Belarusian soil from the enlightener Euphrosyne of Polotsk to the heroines of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, whose feats have become a symbol of unyielding will and self-sacrifice. Emphasis was also placed on the achievements of contemporary women. The school students were told about women who have been awarded the Hero of Belarus title, scientists, doctors, and mothers of many children who have been awarded the Order of Mother.

The events dedicated to the Year of the Belarusian Woman are intended to remind us once again that it is women’s wisdom, energy, love for their native land, and compassion that form the solid foundation, on which the well-being of our society is based.

Every historical epoch is marked by the uniqueness of women’s characters and destinies. Nowadays women not only keep homes cozy, but also make a huge contribution to the development of the manufacturing sector, healthcare, science, education, culture, sport and the sphere of services. Many of our female compatriots have written bright pages into the history of the country, providing an example of patriotism, diligence and fidelity to civic duty and family. At various stages of humankind development women create harmony of family relationships, bring up children, and inspire men for heroic feats and accomplishments in their line of work.