Former political prisoners united for mutual support in the organization "Pobach"
The association of women political prisoners "Pobach" was created by Belarusians who have gone through political repression. The goal is to support each other, protect the rights and dignity of Belarusian women who have faced persecution.
Former political prisoner Volha Filatchynkava – one of the initiative's participants, told "Belsat" how many people the Association comprises and how to become part of the community.
"We have already gathered 30 people"
The Association will be a space for mutual support for former women political prisoners, their loved ones, and everyone who cares about the problem of politically motivated repression. Within its activities, the initiative plans to develop psychological and social assistance programs, conduct information campaigns, and create a solidarity network.
The name "Pobach" (meaning "Nearby" or "Together"), as the participants emphasize, symbolizes the main value of the association – to be nearby each other in the most difficult circumstances and not to leave anyone alone with their trials.
Volha Filatchynkava says that former political prisoners began to unite back in 2023. The community existed in an unofficial format for a long time: women who were released from colonies and left Belarus gradually found each other online and supported those who were just beginning life after imprisonment.
Volha Filatchynkava
"We have already gathered 30 people," she says. "We have already somewhat moved past this experience, reached a more or less normal psychological state after the colonies. And now we feel that we can do something more so that people know we exist."
According to Volha, this format allows them to feel safe and avoid additional traumatization.
"We noticed that we don't need to explain anything about the colony to each other. We speak the same language – we all went through it. When you have to tell someone all the details, it often causes re-traumatization. But among ourselves, we simply understand each other. We have no rules about what can be discussed and what cannot. If something hurts, it can be politics, or any other topic. The main thing is to treat each other with respect and not to disparage each other," says Volha.
How to join the community
Currently, the procedure for joining the initiative is under development. Participants explain that they pay great attention to security.
Now, the principle of recommendations applies: the candidacy of a new person is proposed by someone who is already in the community, after which the rest vote. No less than 2/3 of all members of the Association must take part in the voting. Also, at least one other participant must vouch for the person.
Joining the community remains entirely voluntary.
"Two factors must coincide here: the person's desire and the collective's readiness to accept them. This is first and foremost our safe space," she notes. "Two factors must coincide here: the person's desire and the collective's readiness to accept them. This is first and foremost our safe space," she notes.
Main directions of the Association's activity
A separate emphasis is planned on psychological support. In the future, participants want to organize a permanent psychological assistance program and conduct retreats for women who have experienced imprisonment. They plan to engage in informational and human rights activities, and develop a solidarity network. Cultural and educational initiatives are also being discussed – for example, an online book club.
Currently, the initiative is not registered as a legal entity, but participants plan to undergo the registration procedure in the future.
"We have already prepared the statutes. For now, everything is being done gradually, because it happens outside of work and studies. But we plan to register – when exactly, time will tell," says Volha.
All activities are carried out on a voluntary basis, the Association has no funding.
"But we will look for it to develop our projects, especially psychological support and retreats for women," says Volha.
In the future, participants are considering the possibility of cooperation with other initiatives. In particular, the idea of creating a women's shelter in Warsaw in partnership with the "Prytulyai Me" (Shelter Me) foundation is being discussed.
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