The Position of Women in Czech Economy and Society : Past, Present,

Future

Structure of the lectureStructure of the lecture Czech women at the dawn of history The beginnings of feminism movement - the “National Revival“ Voting rights Women in the communist society Czech women at present Legal position In economy : jobs, wages, employment In politics (high and lower) In civil societyCzech feminism Conclusions

Czech women at the Czech women at the dawn of historydawn of history

It is supposed, that the ancient ( rather mythical ) Czech women were rather feminists.For example the princess Libuše, the supposed founder of the city of Prague and the whole Přemyslid dynasty….

By legend, there By legend, there was even a women was even a women war war ( so-called( so-called““Girls’ War” ) later Girls’ War” ) later on, led by the on, led by the famous Vlasta.famous Vlasta.

As a matter of fact,As a matter of fact,

our great-great-our great-great-great…grandfathers great…grandfathers and grandmothers and grandmothers really really mightmight have have lived in lived in matriarchate, but is matriarchate, but is is long ago...is long ago...

The Věstonice VenusThe Věstonice Venus

The beginnings of feminism movement - the “Czech National Revival“-XIX.century

Women rights combined with the national rightsEducation “clubs” for girlsEducation Institution for Girls in 1843American Club of Ladies of Vojta Náprstek and Karolina Světlá in 1865Czech Women Production Association in 1871The Minerva gymnasium for girls in 1890 (first in Austria-Hungaria)Women writers (Božena Němcová)

THE AMERICAN CLUB OF LADIESTHE AMERICAN CLUB OF LADIESOn January 5, 1865, the first women society was

founded in the Czech countries from the initiative of Vojta Náprstek - the American Club of Ladies. It served for more than 200 women and girls to acquire some learning, and the lectures organised by Náprstek substituted the secondary and professional schools, which did not exist for girls at that time. The club also organised trips and charities and persevered in these activities till 1948, when it was officially abolished and forbidden.

The Club was re-established in February 1996 as a civil society and organises for its members once a month lectures, theatre, exhibitions, concerts etc.

American Club of Ladies, 1872American Club of Ladies, 1872

Voting right for womenVoting right for womenUp to the beginning of 20th century, voting Up to the beginning of 20th century, voting right was very limited even for men in the right was very limited even for men in the Czech part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.Czech part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.After fights and demonstrations, the emperor After fights and demonstrations, the emperor Franz Josef I. granted Franz Josef I. granted common and equal voting common and equal voting right to all men over 24, on January 16, 1904 .right to all men over 24, on January 16, 1904 .Women were excluded, Women were excluded, however.however.Their situation was Their situation was changed not soonerchanged not soonerthan in 1919, in the than in 1919, in the new independent new independent Czechoslovakia.Czechoslovakia.

Before 1900, women obtained the vote in only Before 1900, women obtained the vote in only one nation -New Zealandone nation -New Zealand

1906 - Women granted the right to vote in 1906 - Women granted the right to vote in FinlandFinland

1913 - Equal voting rights achieved by women in 1913 - Equal voting rights achieved by women in NorwayNorway

1917 - Women obtained the vote in the 1917 - Women obtained the vote in the Netherlands and RussiaNetherlands and Russia

1918 - Women over 30 get to vote and sit in 1918 - Women over 30 get to vote and sit in Parliament in the United KingdomParliament in the United Kingdom

1919 - Germany, Sweden, and Czechoslovakia 1919 - Germany, Sweden, and Czechoslovakia gave women the votegave women the vote

1931 - Women get the vote in Spain1931 - Women get the vote in Spain

1932 - Brazil granted suffrage to women1932 - Brazil granted suffrage to women

1934 - Turkish women may vote in national 1934 - Turkish women may vote in national electionselections

1941 - Suffrage in Indonesia1941 - Suffrage in Indonesia

1945 - France,Italy, Japan, Vietnam extended 1945 - France,Italy, Japan, Vietnam extended the vote to women.the vote to women.

1948 - With formation of the state, women 1948 - With formation of the state, women received full suffrage in Israel.received full suffrage in Israel.

late 1950s - The transfer from colonial to late 1950s - The transfer from colonial to national rule creates new constitutions that national rule creates new constitutions that give women the right to vote in many give women the right to vote in many countries.countries.

1953 - Mexican women won the right to vote.1953 - Mexican women won the right to vote.

1961 - Paraguay granted voting rights to 1961 - Paraguay granted voting rights to women. Women can now vote throughout Latin women. Women can now vote throughout Latin America.America.

1963 - Women's suffrage granted in Iran.1963 - Women's suffrage granted in Iran.

1966 - Jordan adds women's vote to its 1966 - Jordan adds women's vote to its constitution.constitution.

1971 - Switzerland finally gives in.1971 - Switzerland finally gives in.

The right to be elected The right to be elected is a second stepis a second step

Women did not gain that right Women did not gain that right until 1952 in Greece, 1961 in El until 1952 in Greece, 1961 in El Salvador, 1974 in Jordan. Salvador, 1974 in Jordan. For example in some of the U.S. For example in some of the U.S. states ( for example Arizona), states ( for example Arizona), only in 1988 did voters there only in 1988 did voters there remove a state requirement that remove a state requirement that their officeholders be maletheir officeholders be male

First Czech woman was First Czech woman was elected into the A.-Helected into the A.-H..

parliament in 1912 - parliament in 1912 - Božena Božena VikováViková

Journal „Kopřivy“, June 1912. Kramář to Mrs. Viková: “ Dear madam colleague! On behalf of the whole Národní strana svobodomyslná, please accept our warmest congratulations to your election as a country deputy." Deputies from Mladá Boleslav in the background: “But if devil took the hag, we would pay for a holly mass ! "

Pre-war Czechoslovakia

The Club of Czech Women established in 1902National Board of CzechoslovakWomen founded in 1923 Family Act from 1949 -one of the most modern in Europe, among other abolished the institute of the “head of the family“, which was always a man, and legalised equality of spouses in marriage

Pre-war Czechoslovakia

Among these women, an outstanding personality

was JUDr. Milada HorákováJUDr. Milada Horáková,One of the authors of the

Family Act, Member of Parliament and

chairwoman of the National Board of

Czechoslovak Women

In 1950, she was accused,In 1950, she was accused,

together with other outstandingtogether with other outstanding

personalities opposing communism,personalities opposing communism,

of treason, sentenced to death of treason, sentenced to death

and executed on June 27, 1950and executed on June 27, 1950

Women in communismTheoretically :Theoretically :equal rights and equal opportunitiesequal rights and equal opportunitieshigh employment levelhigh employment levelextensive child-careextensive child-careextensive social supportextensive social support

Practically:Practically:compelled to workcompelled to workless political pressure in less political pressure in lower positionslower positionscollective education preferred by statecollective education preferred by stateexemplary “heroines of socialist exemplary “heroines of socialist labour“labour“Czechoslovak Women UnionCzechoslovak Women Union and and 1-2 women ministers of government1-2 women ministers of government

In the 2nd half of the In the 2nd half of the 20ieth century, 20ieth century,

the slogan has changedthe slogan has changed

Equal rights had been more or less established, now the top topic is

““Equal Equal Opportunities“Opportunities“

At present in the At present in the CRCR

Regarding the basic legal position, women have the same rights as menHowever, because there are recognisable traits of discrimination, namely with regard to the economic position and job opportunities, new legal acts were passed during the last years preventing any discrimination (Labour Code amended)For example, it is not possible any more to advertise ( with some exceptions) a “man only“ jobs etc.

At present in the At present in the CRCR

In 2002, the Government Committee Government Committee for Equal Opportunitiesfor Equal Opportunities was established, the members of which are representatives of all Czech ministries, but also of women NGOs All Czech ministries have an obligation to have at least one person working on gender issues Recently, Czech government has passed a decree on the implementation of “gender mainstreaming” and “gender budgeting”

LetLet’s look at the reality ’s look at the reality regardingregarding

economyeconomy familyfamily politics at all levelspolitics at all levels universitiesuniversities army army churcheschurches women organisationswomen organisations society in generalsociety in general

Women in Women in economyeconomy

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

MaltaSlovenia

LuxembourgIrelandNorwayFrance

DenmarkBelgiumBulgariaGreece

HungaryLithuania

LatviaPoland

SwedenRomania

AustriaGreat Britain

ItalySpain

FinlandNetherlands

PortugalSlovakiaCyprusEstonia

Czech RepublicGermany

EU-25

Income of women in % of that of men

Average gross monthly wage according branches of economy

2006, 000 CZK

A-B- agriculture,C-E -industry, F -constructions, G -trade, repairs, H- catering, I- A-B- agriculture,C-E -industry, F -constructions, G -trade, repairs, H- catering, I- transport, communications, J- banking, K- real estate, research, L- public transport, communications, J- banking, K- real estate, research, L- public administration, defence, M -education, N- health, social services, O- other administration, defence, M -education, N- health, social services, O- other services services

womenwomen menmen

Why are women Why are women

less paid ?less paid ?

Are they really less flexible ? Are they less dedicated ? Are they less educated ? Or what ?

Average gross monthly wage according age category, 2006, 000 CZK

women men

Average gross monthly wage according to education level

2006, 000 CZK

primaryprimary secondarysecondary

lowerlower

secondarsecondaryy

fullfull

Bc.Bc. MSc.MSc.

not

statedTotalTotal

womenwomen menmen

Education level according to age structure, 2006, in %

women men

primaryprofessional

secondary fullsecondary higher

universitynot known

1 - legislators, senior officers, managers1 - legislators, senior officers, managers2-professionals2-professionals 3-technicians3-technicians4-clerks4-clerks5 5 -services, shop-services, shop-assi-assisstantstants 6- skilled agriculture6- skilled agriculture7-craft, trades7-craft, trades8- Machine operators 8- Machine operators 9- non-qualified jobs9- non-qualified jobs

Average gross monthly wage according to job category, 2006

women men

000 CZK

Development of unemploymentDevelopment of unemployment,,

000 persons, 1993-2002000 persons, 1993-2002total-women total-men

longterm-women longterm-men

young-women young-men

Harmonising job and Harmonising job and familyfamily

The problem lays in free choice for women, for which the following is missing:part-time jobsflexible working hours, work from home“Family Competencies““Family-friendly companies“accessible services (household services, child care)higher activity of TU towards observing the Labour Code in practicehigher prestige of family in society

Women in Women in politicspolitics

Only Only 3322women women from from 200 200 MPsMPs

16%16%

The present parliament

020406080

100120140160180200

MPs for political parties, elections 2006

women

men

14.5%14.5%

50%

15.4%

9.9%10.8%

30.8%

Share of women in Share of women in world parliamentsworld parliaments

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/indwm/tab6a.htm

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Women in world parliaments in % , 2008

Czech Czech governmentgovernmentss

1998-20021998-20022002 – 20042002 – 20042004-20052004-2005

Government 2005-2006

Dana Bérová (Informatics), (Milada Emmerová - Health),

Petra Buzková (Education, Youth, Sports)

The 2007 goverment

Vlasta Parkanová (Defence), Dana Kuchtová (Education, replaced), Džamila Stehlíková, Helena Třeštíková (Culture, resigned)

The 2008- April 2009 goverment

Vlasta Parkanová (Defence),

Džamila Stehlíková (Human Rights and Minorities)

Ing. Jan Fischer,prime

-minister

May 2009 – July 2010May 2009 – July 2010

RNDR. Petr Nečas,prime-

minister

New Czech New Czech government government

20102010

Do you see any Do you see any women in that?women in that?

The official explanation is The official explanation is thatthat

• The newly elected The newly elected chair of the MP chair of the MP chamber of the chamber of the Parliament and 3 Parliament and 3 out of 4 vice-chairs out of 4 vice-chairs are now womenare now women

• Because of that, the Because of that, the governmental governmental parties had no more parties had no more outstanding women outstanding women available for the available for the governmentgovernment

Women and men in decision-making, 2009, in %

Mayor of Prague, regional governors

Senators (Lower Chamber)

CNB board members

Constitutional Court judges

Ministers of government

MPs (Upper Chamber)

Vice-ministers

Regional Offices directors

Highest Control Office board

Supreme Court judges

women menmen

Women and men in “influential positions“, 2009, in %

PolicePolice

Regional deputiesRegional deputies

Sectoral institutions directorsSectoral institutions directors

SDP(ČSSD) membersSDP(ČSSD) membersMinistry sections directorsMinistry sections directors

Local deputiesLocal deputies

CiDeP (ODS) membersCiDeP (ODS) members

CzCoP (KSČM) membersCzCoP (KSČM) members

Ministry departments headsMinistry departments heads

JournalistsJournalists

ChDP (KDU-ČSL) membersChDP (KDU-ČSL) members

Judges (excl.SC and CC)Judges (excl.SC and CC)

womenwomen memenn

As a matter of fact, there even were two female candidates in the last but one presidential elections (for the first time in

our history) and also one in the last one, but they were not

successful….

Jaroslava

Moserová,

MP, writer

Helena

Illnerová,

then Chair of CAS

Jana Bobošíková, journalist

From 63 political parties and From 63 political parties and movements officialy registered movements officialy registered

in the CR,in the CR,only 6 are at present chaired by

women: Christian Democratic Union- Czech People’s Party Politicians 21 Democratic Green Party European Democrats’ Party Workers’ Social Party National Party

And two political parties And two political parties even have a women even have a women

platformplatformChristian Democratic Union-Christian Democratic Union- CzechCzech PeoplePeople’’s Parts PartyySocial Democratic PartySocial Democratic Party

The Communist Party organises The Communist Party organises the so-called Left Women the so-called Left Women Clubs, which are, however, not Clubs, which are, however, not a part of the party structurea part of the party structure

Left Women Club Left Women Club BohuslaviceBohuslavice

What is What is veryvery important, is the important, is the growing growing participation of participation of

women at the lower level of women at the lower level of decision-making including decision-making including

communal levelcommunal level

Czech universities used to be rather progressive !

From 33 public universities,

1 military university and 1 police

academy in the CR,there is at present

only11 wom womaann

in the position of the rector

2.8%2.8%Doc.Ing Iva RitschelováDoc.Ing Iva Ritschelová

UJEP Ústí nad LabemUJEP Ústí nad Labem

… and from 55 private colleges and universities,

6 are at present led by women,

University of Finances and University of Finances and Administration PragueAdministration PraguePrivate College of Private College of Economic Studies PragueEconomic Studies PragueAKCENT College PragueAKCENT College PragueUniversity of Tourism, University of Tourism, Hotels and Spa PragueHotels and Spa PragueBank Institute PragueBank Institute PragueInternational Prague International Prague UniversityUniversity

Dr.B.ŠenkýřováDr.B.Šenkýřová

Prof.PhDr.Prof.PhDr.

A. MacurováA. Macurová

Doc.Ing.V.SeifertováDoc.Ing.V.Seifertová

Czech University of Agriculture Czech University of Agriculture PraguePrague, ,

academic dignitaries, academic academic dignitaries, academic year 200year 20099/20/201010

Rector 1 man 0 womenVice-rectors 4 men 1 women Bursar 1 man 0 women Chancellor 1 men 0 womanDeans of facultiesand institutes 7 men 0 womenVice-deans 24 men 4 womanHeads of dpts 49 men 4 womenTotal of Total of 9696 8787 men men 99 womenwomen

And the Scientific Board of the CUA has in total 26 internal members, 3 of which are

woman

9.4 %

Women Women in the armyin the army

This is not supposed to be a very typical This is not supposed to be a very typical feature of women position in the CR, feature of women position in the CR, because army has not got a very high because army has not got a very high credit at present and women are not credit at present and women are not very visible in itvery visible in itHowever, the question was opened with However, the question was opened with the change the obligatory military the change the obligatory military service into a more modern professional service into a more modern professional army army

Then we learned, to out surprise, that….

Women in the armyWomen in the army

…….. there were here were 1,994 1,994 women in the women in the Czech army during Czech army during the last years, out the last years, out of the total 53, 000 of the total 53, 000 soldiers.soldiers.But this was one of But this was one of the highest the highest percentages of percentages of women in the women in the European countries European countries with obligatory with obligatory military servicemilitary service . .

Percentage of women in the army

CR

U.S.

Canada

Hungary

Poland

France

Spain

Greece

Norway

Germany

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Women in the armyWomen in the army

However, in the professional army, However, in the professional army, the percentage of women will have to be the percentage of women will have to be still increased up tostill increased up to

20 %, that is 8,000 women 20 %, that is 8,000 women soldiers soldiers

out of 40,000out of 40,000Are we going to be the world top in the army Are we going to be the world top in the army feminisation ?feminisation ?Will women really fight ?Will women really fight ?Will there be common bedrooms for all soldiers Will there be common bedrooms for all soldiers without regard to gender ?without regard to gender ?Quite a lot of questions to be answered...Quite a lot of questions to be answered...

Women in churchWomen in church In most Christian churches, there is still preserved a rather paternalistic pattern.

Priests office and even lower clerical positions are reserved to men.

Even there are changes, Even there are changes, however, namely in the however, namely in the protestant churches.protestant churches.

For example…..For example…..

The Czechoslovak The Czechoslovak Hussit ChurchHussit Church

has elected its first woman-bishop,

one in the six performing, 3 years ago.

It is Mgr.Jana Šilerová of Olomouc,

and she is even a single mother !

Women-priests are ordained

for many years in CZHC.

Similar situationSimilar situation

is in the Church of Czech Brethern ,

where from 222 preachers, there are 33 women at present, even if they are not members of the so-called seniorate

Perhaps the most rigid Perhaps the most rigid in this aspectin this aspect

is the Roman Catholic Church, but it allows women as lay readers and of course as members of the parish councils.

A rather heated discussion was

(and still is) held over the

“altar girls”

Feminism in the CR

Women NGOsWomen NGOsStill nStill not very typical for the ot very typical for the present Czech Republicpresent Czech Republic,, but but developingdeveloping Czech Union of Women Union of Catholic Women Centre for Gender Studies Mothers Centers proFem South-Bohemia Mothers Prague Mothers YWCA ….

In the EUIn the EUthere exists and works there exists and works

the the European Women LobbyEuropean Women Lobby,,

which connects the existing national which connects the existing national representations and women representations and women organisations operating in several organisations operating in several European countries.European countries.

Czech Women LobbyCzech Women Lobby was constitued in was constitued in 2004 and is a full member of the EWL2004 and is a full member of the EWL

Feminist Feminist linguisticslinguistics

In most Czech documents, this is not taken into In most Czech documents, this is not taken into consideration yet.consideration yet.The problem is more evident in Czech than in The problem is more evident in Czech than in English, because Czech language has in most English, because Czech language has in most cases nouns in both forms, i.e. male as well as cases nouns in both forms, i.e. male as well as femalefemale; yet in general, only the male form is ; yet in general, only the male form is used as expressing both.used as expressing both.Example:Example: učitelučitel is used to express both men is used to express both men and women teachers, even if there exists also and women teachers, even if there exists also the female form the female form učitelkaučitelka, the same with , the same with lékař/lékařkalékař/lékařka etc. etc.

he/shehe/sheman = man = human beinghuman being

Feminist linguisticsFeminist linguistics In Czech ( and Slavonic languages In Czech ( and Slavonic languages in in general ), there exists a special general ), there exists a special problemproblem you have met with alreadyyou have met with already

female surnamesfemale surnames From the genesis of the language, the From the genesis of the language, the meaning of them is rather proprietary, i.e. in meaning of them is rather proprietary, i.e. in fact fact BOUČKOVÁBOUČKOVÁ means a woman belonging to a means a woman belonging to a man called man called BOUČEKBOUČEK, either as a father or as a , either as a father or as a husband….. husband….. On one hand, it is practical since you know On one hand, it is practical since you know beforehand whether to expect a man or a beforehand whether to expect a man or a woman.woman.On the other, feminist activists protest On the other, feminist activists protest against itagainst itand some of them want to chose their and some of them want to chose their surnames independent on father or surnames independent on father or husband….husband….

Michaela Tominová

EsterKočičková

Rut Kolínská

TerezaBoučková

Present Czech feminists

Jiřina Šiklová

Alena

Králíková

An outstanding Czech feminist, writer and painter

(or rather authoress and paintress, if there are such words)

Eva Hauserová

The textbook of militant

feminism

……. . and of course and of course meme

ConclusionsConclusions

Czech women do not feel much need to fight for equal opportunities yet because some of them have more immediate problems to solve (or so they think), some are satisfied as they areThe word “feminism“ has still got a rather pejorative sound hereThe major problems are the economic non-equality and namely missing women in politics and the decision-making in generalSituation is changing slowly because of the EU accession, but rather regarding the legal frame, not so much in reality

ReferencesReferences Kottlandová-Koenig, D: Moderate and Sensible : Higher Education and the Czech Women Rights Movementhttp:// www.ce-review.org/99http:// www.feminismus.czŽeny a muži v číslech (Women and Men in Data). CSO, Prague, 2003,2004,2006www.cso.cz