How Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is defining a new era of political leadership
Last week, Politikens Frihedspris was given to Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for her courageous efforts throughout the Belarusian elections. It was at this even that I came to realize how one person, albeit unwillingly and possibly unconsciously, can make us question our current perception of political leadership, political activism and pre-fixed roles.
About a month ago I came across an article in The Atlantic portraying women-lead protest movements in Belarus as a broader trend of strengthening the role of women in politics and shedding light on the potential of nonviolent movements. It is women like Svetlana Tikhanovskaya becoming the face of challenging questionable political leaders for a better democracy, freedom and basic human rights. At the same time, it is women like Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who in fact don’t feel comfortable being portrayed as the symbol of protest against a leader known as “Europe’s last dictator”. Who did not choose to be in that role and who openly states that she would much rather return to “managing her household” than to be leading a nation’s fight for freedom.
Feminism and political leadership
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to joining you”- Ruth Barder Ginsburg
There is something deeply inspiring and powerful in the way Svetlana Tikhanovskaya moves around in the public debate these days: By continuously averting the attempts of being put into the role of the next political candidate, she deliberately positions herself as one out of many people symbolizing political change. By being openly self-conscious and uncomfortable being put in the spotlight and portrayed as the face of a political revolution, she makes society rethink our pre-fixed idea of a successful political leader. By publicly admitting and addressing her fear of not living up to Belarusian citizens’ expectations, she shows her sole dedication towards the people she represents- albeit unwillingly. This is fascinating to observe: by not wanting to be a political figure, an opinion leader or the symbol of fearless political dedication, she appears even stronger, more courageous and more determined at the same time. She does not place emphasis on her status or role as an opinion leader in political debate, but rather dedicates her sole focus on the cause of her political activism. That way, whether agreeing to be a symbol for political change or not, she embodies a feeling currently shared among Belarusian citizens: The necessity of speaking up, of standing in for one’s rights, of courageously facing police violence and state-mandated aggression with the deepest desire and hope for a future in which these acts are not a necessity anymore, in which people can go back to living a decent normal life — no matter whether this would imply managing a household or the Belarusian political system.
Feminist protests and violence
The protests have visibly impacted the countries’ psychology by shedding light on the power of collective solidarity and peaceful unified political activism. In fact, not only in Belarus, but women-led protests around the world (think: Algeria, Lebanon, US…) have received more visibility, especially in regard to their peaceful approach to protesting. Yet, unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that they are not disproportionately confronted with politically motivated persecution, intimidation, and harassment due to their (peaceful) political activism. It’s a global mass movement towards nonviolence but that doesn’t mean violence has stopped. It’s fascinating to see so many forms of aggression physically and metaphorically clashing with solidarity, inclusiveness and pro-democratic values. This does not only send a message to Belarusian citizens, but society as a whole. For what matters, irrespective of whether the protest movements will ultimately overrun Lukashenko, they have inspired to revisit deeply entrenched, traditional roles within the political arena — and within the private space across societies.
Setting the stage for a new form of political leadership?
They encourage society to rethink gender-related stereotypes. They make us reflect on political leadership and political participation. The protest is not feminist because of their leaders identifying as women, but rather because they speak to fundamental values like equality and inclusion and question current power structures. This is where her political leadership demarcates itself from Lukashenko’s way of leadership. She activates Belarusians’ sense of belonging by acknowledging and promoting their role as political subjects in society. Her political power does not come from dominating or overruling citizens’ values through corruption and fierce executive authority, but from unifying their voices.
Point of no return (for Belarus and societies across the globe)
Svetlana’s political leadership marks a point of no return. Against Lukashenko’s statement that “our society has not matured enough to vote for a woman,” the unwearied and courageous dedication of activists around the world have shown that society, in fact, is more than ready. The past months have shown that each and everyone can be a political actor in their own right. In Denmark, we are — and for many years have been — in the fortunate position of not having to step up for our human rights in response to political discrimination and corruption. Our political system has throughout history established a foundation for the protection of our rights as political subjects. Yet, there is still a lot to learn from the Belarusian protest movements. While having started a movement defining a new era of democratic participation and political activism within the country, it also started a movement defining future images and roles of political leadership in Belarus and across all societies. She is the exemplary model of a modern political leader — not because of her gender but because of her feminist values.
