Volha Harbunova
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Volha Harbunova | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Volha Harbunova during her visit to the United States on March 25, 2023 | |
| Born | 7 May 1981 |
| Occupation | Women's rights activist, politician |
Volha Alyaksandrauna Harbunova (Belarusian: Вольга Аляксандраўна Гарбунова) is a Belarusian women's rights organiser and trainer[1] who was appointed Representative for Social Issues in the Belarusian United Transitional Cabinet on 26 December 2022.[2] Harbunova was detained on 9 November 2021 and released to a sentence of three years of house arrest on 6 May 2022 in relation to women's rights marches held in 2020.[3][4] She escaped from Belarus in 2022,[4] prior to her nomination to the United Transitional Cabinet.
Volha Harbunova was born on 7 May 1981.[3]
Women's rights training
Harbunova worked for the non-governmental organization Radislava, an organisation created in 2002 by and for survivors of violence against women, for 18 years as a psychologist and as a leader of the organisation.[1] She trained police officials and officials from welfare and health care administrations in supporting the victims of family violence.[2]
Harbunova introduced the One Billion Rising campaign into Belarus in 2016.[1] She created Norma Cafe, a social enterprise and cultural centre for providing training and employment for women.[1]
Harbunova's activism includes support for the LGBT community.[2]
Detention
Harbunova was detained in Okrestina on 9 November 2021[3] in relation to women's rights marches that took place in mid 2020.[1][5] She carried out a hunger strike in protest against her detention and conditions of detention. Within a fortnight, prison authorities responded by providing her with a mattress to sleep on, medical necessities and letting her send and receive mail. Harbunova stopped her hunger strike.[3] She was designated by the Belarusian authorities as a prisoner "inclined to extremism and other destructive actions".[4]
Index on Censorship published some of Harbunova's letter sent to a friend during her detention.[6]
Charges against Harbunova were laid under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 342 and Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Article 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus. The case was handled by judge Siarhei Shatsila. On 6 May 2022, Harbunova was found guilty of the "organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order" under Part 1 of Article 342. She was sentenced to three years of house arrest.[3]
Harbunova escaped from Belarus in 2022.[4]
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