On June 16–17, Stockholm will host the high-level Women Empowerment and Democracy for Belarus Forum 2025. The event is organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in partnership with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and the Gender Equality Group of the United Transitional Cabinet, with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
The forum will bring together prominent representatives of the democratic movement, civil society, and international institutions.
Participants will include the Leader of Belarus’ Democratic Forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Maria Malmer Stenergard; Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa; State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dag Hartelius; IDEA Secretary-General Kevin, Casas-Zamora; Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Sweden, Karolina Ostrzyniewska; Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Sweden, Linas Linkevičius; and other distinguished experts in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The forum will focus on the key role Belarusian women play in promoting democracy and human rights, and on identifying inclusive, gender-sensitive paths toward democratic transition. Discussions will center on women’s political leadership, policy and legislative solutions for gender equality, and measures to address gender-based violence.
A key moment of the event will be the launch of the Women’s Leadership Program for Belarus, which aims to provide personalized support for strengthening leadership potential, fostering peer learning, and encouraging active participation in democratic processes.
The forum is designed to strengthen dialogue, facilitate experience-sharing, and develop practical strategies for building a democratic and inclusive future in Belarus.
