Gender discrimination in higher education in Belarus
The Belarusian Students’ Association (BSA) prepared an input for the UN General Assembly's 2026 report, dedicated to women's issues and international solidarity. We drew attention to a number of serious problems:
Quotas that limit women's access to education are maintained at higher education institutions in Belarus. For example, at the Belarusian State Medical University (BSMU), 40 places are allocated for young men and only 20 for young women in the “Surgery and Anesthesiology” specialty. Similar strict restrictions are in place at the Military Academy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Academy, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations University of Civil Defense. The position of the relevant ministries is that certain specialties, such as surgery or military service, are “male”.
The country continues to operate the “List of Heavy and Harmful Work Prohibited for Women”. Despite the list being reduced from 456 to 88 items, it still restricts women's career choices under the guise of protecting their reproductive health, which often makes it impossible to practically apply the education they have received.
The academic environment in Belarus lacks official statistics regarding cases of sexual harassment. Nevertheless, there are known cases of inappropriate behavior by faculty members who use their position to pressure female students into personal contact under the guise of consultations.
Universities contribute to the reinforcement of patriarchal roles. For example, meetings are organized for female medical students with cadets from the Ministry of Internal Affairs so that future officers can find “faithful companions” and a “reliable rear”. In official International Women's Day congratulations, universities describe female students as “tender keepers of the hearth” and “an adornment,” ignoring their talents as scientists and professionals.
Women are virtually absent from leadership positions in science: of the 50 rectors of higher education institutions, only 9 are women, since these positions are appointed by the President. Female students who participate in independent educational projects face criminal prosecution and imprisonment.
The structure of the Women's Union, which operates in universities, is fully integrated into the state hierarchy and is used to demonstrate loyalty to the regime. The organization's activities are aimed at promoting “traditional values” and motherhood, while excluding issues of LGBTQ+ women's rights and not contributing to the real expansion of women's rights and opportunities outside of the state ideology.
The use of progressive rhetoric about equality in official structures is declarative in nature, while in practice, systemic barriers to women's independent development in academic and professional environments remain.
Read the full report via the link:
Call for input for the report on women and international solidarity.
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