Czech Republic: Country Report

The Czech Republic is still under the world as well as the European average of the representation of women in all important political bodies. On one hand there is historically highest number of women in Chamber of Deputies (22%), but after the elections in 2010 the government was assembled as men-only. The first women (not on ministerial position) was appointed after one year after assembling the government and nowadays there is also one female minister – which means 12.5% of women in the government. Situation on other levels of decision-making is very similar – women get support from voters (14 out of 44 female deputies gained their mandate thanks to direct support from voters), but they are not appointed into the positions of power.

Women have to face many kind of barriers which unable them to succeed and enter politics as easy as man. Barriers are individual (lack of self confidence, responsibility for kids and family) and structural (patriarchal model of the family, gender stereotypes etc.). The most dangerous and strongest barriers are within political parties where women are highly represented in the member base but excluded from the leadership (glass ceiling). Only one (Green Party) of the Czech political parties is using quotas for assembling ballots. Women have only little chances within political parties to influence the most crucial decisions as political programmes etc.

There is no systematic approach to solving this situation. Gender quotas are denied as “limiting free competition” but there are no alternative suggestions.

One of the latest news is the direct election of the president which – comparing to the parliamentary elections – gives in the Czech context more chances for female candidates. Some gender or women's organisations are currently forming a new platform for nominating a female candidate which would be acceptable for NGOs and general public in order to support her campaign. There will be also regional election in autumn 2012. The participation of women on regional level is low – after the election in 2008 there are 17.5% of women. Forum 50 % is preparing a campaign supporting female candidates through preferential votes.

Women in Czech politics in numbers:

Women in Political Decision-Making
Chamber of Deputies: 44 women of 200 members, 22% 2.
Senate: 15 women of 81 senators, 18.5% 3.
Government: 2 women of 16 members, 12.5% 4.
Regions: 2 woman of 13 hetmans, 15.4%

Regional and Local Politics
Regional Assemblies: 17.6%
Local Assemblies: 26% in average, 23% in the largest cities
Mayors of Statutory Cities: 2 women of 23 statutory mayors, 8.7%

Women in Political Parties
Women are present in political parties: 30 – 52% of members are women
Lack of women in leadership: 25% of women

Women in Czech Politics and the Role of Forum 50 % (PowerPoint — 2 MB)