Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received the Margaret Thatcher Award in Rome, presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and principled commitment to defending freedom.
In her speech, Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that the Belarusian revolution is often called a “revolution with a woman’s face”, dedicating the award to the brave Belarusian women who have become symbols of freedom and resilience:
“Margaret Thatcher said that courage is the greatest virtue.
I dedicate this award to the courageous Belarusian women who fight for freedom. Those who do not follow the crowd but pave the way.
To women like Maryia Kalesnikava, who tore up her Belarusian passport and threw it out of a car window to prevent her deportation.
Like Katsiaryna Andreyeva, who continued her livestream from a protest even as Lukashenka’s riot police were arresting her.
Like Nina Bahinskaya, an elderly woman who protested again and again in the streets despite repeated arrests and sentences.
Our Iron Ladies.
Many of these women remain behind bars. And we will not stop fighting for their release – just as we will not stop fighting for our country”.
