Lukashenko declares 2026 'Year of Women'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 1, declaring 2026 the Year of the Belarusian Woman. The decree emphasizes women's contributions to the country's social, cultural, and economic life.

Several major incidents occurred around the world during this season:

• A major fire in central Amsterdam destroyed the 154-year-old Vondelkerk church.

• Around 40 people died in a fire at a bar in Switzerland.

• A traffic accident involving a bus in Pakistan's Punjab province resulted in at least 14 fatalities.

• A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck the U.S. state of Alaska.

All these events reflect the broad challenges of safety and public resilience faced by nations worldwide. For more information, see the material in the video address.

Context

Historically, women have played a significant role in Belarusian politics and public life, and this decision highlights their contributions.