WOMEN AGAINST WAR

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022, thousands of women in Russia have been taking action and putting their own safety at serious risk by protesting against war and Putin’s regime. In cities and rural areas, in villages as well as in major cities, women of all ages—from schoolgirls to senior citizens—are taking a stand against war, violence, and repression.

They participate in street protests, organize subversive actions to expose war crimes, distribute anti-war leaflets and self-printed partisan newspapers, refuse to be mobilized, or support Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons from the occupied territories. This activism puts them in grave danger.

In response, the Russian state has carried out house raids, fabricated criminal cases, arrests, used police brutality and torture. Following the outbreak of the full-scale war, the number of women imprisoned for political reasons and subjected to political repression in Russia increased significantly.

In 2024, the percentage of women among political prisoners in Russia reached its highest level in 14 years –27% of the total. Since February 2022, more than 20,000 people have been detained for expressing anti-war views or engaging in anti-war activism. According to the human rights organisation Memorial, more than 4,000 people are currently imprisoned or remanded for political reasons in Russia and the occupied Ukrainian territories. This figure is only a minimal estimation and the real number could be twice as high. Currently, more than 70 women are officially recognised as political prisoners. According to human rights experts, several hundred women are imprisoned or remanded for political reasons, but the actual figure could be as high as 1,000.

The 16 stories collected here shed light on this reality. They give a voice to those women who, despite severe repression, stand up for peace, justice, and self-determination.

This is the second edition of the Women Against War street exhibition, curated by the Feminist Anti-War Resistance. The first exhibition took place in Paris in 2023. The portraits were created by created by feminist artists artists from Russia and Belarus. Many of these artists have also faced political repression due to their anti-war stance or activism. Some of them must participate anonymously because taking part in an exhibition like this poses a serious risk to their safety.

Curated by Feminist Anti-War Resistance and realized with support of the Austrian Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport.

Disclaimer: The texts reflect solely the opinions of the artists and curators involved in the project.