“Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
I’m grateful to Women Political Leaders for this incredible honour. Thanks to the Government of Iceland and the Prime Minister for hosting this great event.
And of course, congratulations to all Laureates!
I must admit that I am very nervous even if it doesn't seem like it. Three years ago I could never have spoken in public. I would have been too scared.
It was my love for my husband Sergey, for Belarus and for my people that changed my destiny. These are the reasons I stand here now.
You know, I did not start this fight for the highest values of freedom and democracy. I started it because my husband Sergey had been locked up for challenging the dictator. I started it as a housewife fighting for the most important things in her life; her husband, her kids and her country.
Now I know that these things cannot be separated.
Because I cannot be happy when my nation is not free. I cannot be happy if the KGB comes in the night to arrest my neighbours. I cannot be happy when the regime allows a foreign army to bring more fear and danger to us every day.
This Belarusian woman knows that all great victories start with small steps. And there are millions of ordinary Belarusian women and we stand together.
In 2020 when women peacefully marched for an end to the regime we were abused, we were beaten and we were locked up.
But we did not stop because our love for our families our kids and our country makes us invincible. The dictator acts out of hatred, we do it for love.
I perfectly understand that this award is not for me. It belongs to every brave Belarusian woman fighting tirelessely against the dictatorship for a better future.
This award belongs to Belarusian women who refuse to give up even when they’re under threat or already in prison. Today I want to say how proud I am of being one of the millions of Belarussian women.
And I’m sure: our greatest reward is yet to come.
Long Live Belarus!”
