My name is Darya Afanasyeva. I am a Belarusian feminist and activist, committed to defending women’s rights and advocating for democratic change in Belarus. I have dedicated my life to supporting women who face discrimination throughout their lives and promoting equality. Despite facing political repression and spending two and a half years in prison as a political prisoner, I continue to fight for human rights and social justice with resilience and determination.
I was born on April 1, 1995. I hold two higher education degrees: the first in logistics, and the second in clinical psychology. I have always worked closely with people, dedicating my career to human resources. Before my arrest, I worked as an human resources specialist in an IT company, focusing on employee relations and promoting gender equality in the workplace.
My journey to activism began in 2015 when I started a blog dedicated to book reviews. A year later, literature led me to explore issues of gender inequality. I noticed how rarely women are portrayed as fully-fledged protagonists in fiction—characters whose voices, actions and decisions drive the story. This realization became the starting point for my deeper involvement in women’s rights. Over time, my blog transitioned from a focus on literature to discussions about the gender gap, discrimination in relationships and the portrayal of women in media.
Publishing houses supported this shift and I began reviewing books written by and for women. I curated lists of books about body positivity, the history of suffragism, feminism and empowering literature for girls. Additionally, I delivered lectures on feminism, helping women better understand their rights. These efforts extended to my workplace, where I introduced seminars addressing harassment and abuse, using women-centered literature as a framework.
My online activism complemented my participation in Belarusian protests. In 2020, I joined rallies advocating for free elections and women’s rights, carrying posters with messages like “Fight Like a Belarusian Girl” and “A Woman’s Place Is in the Government.” I actively highlighted the lack of legislation against domestic violence in Belarus and urged people to vote for female leadership.
On December 27, 2021, I was violently arrested in my apartment. At my trial, I was told I was “corrupting the nation” because of my feminist values and sexual orientation. I was denied the right to a male lawyer because, as they stated, “a feminist would not accept help from a man.” Explaining myself in such an environment was impossible.
While in prison, I supported fellow inmates - many of whom were survivors of domestic violence imprisoned for self-defense. I listened to their stories, reassured them they were not at fault and sought to empower them despite the oppressive circumstances.
I was released on March 30, 2024, after over two years in detention. Fearing re-arrest, I fled my home country with just a backpack. I now reside in Poland, where I am rebuilding my life and reestablishing my blog. Despite the challenges, my commitment to feminism remains as strong as ever.