In 2025, women in Czech politics continue to face significant challenges, including misogyny, hostility, and systemic barriers that hinder their full participation and representation. Despite some progress, the journey toward gender equality in the Czech political landscape remains arduous.
A Historic but Insufficient Presence
As of 2025, women hold 25% of the seats in the 200-seat Czech parliament, the highest percentage in the country’s history. However, this figure lags behind neighboring countries like Austria, Germany, and Poland, where female representation exceeds 30%. Within the European Union, the Czech Republic ranks eighteenth out of 27 members in terms of the number of women in parliament (The New Indian Express).
Personal Struggles of Female Politicians
Female politicians in the Czech Republic often encounter personal scrutiny and public judgment that their male counterparts do not face. Martina Ochodnická, a 41-year-old deputy head of the right-wing coalition party TOP 09, resigned after a single term, citing hateful, misogynistic comments and a general lack of support for women politicians. Ochodnická emphasized that women are judged not only for their political roles but also for their roles as mothers, stating, “You’re not a mother enough, or you’re a mother too much, or you’re not a mother at all. This is something that male politicians don’t face.”
Similarly, Klára Kocmanová of the Pirate Party announced her departure after a single term, citing health reasons due to long working hours and parliament work that is “incompatible with personal life.” She also highlighted the regular targeting of women politicians by hate speech, much of it vulgar, on social media (The New Indian Express).
Systemic Barriers and Cultural Norms
Political analyst Jan Kubáček noted that women politicians are still “a rarity” in the Czech political system, which has “created a hostile environment.” He pointed out the lack of systematic efforts to promote women or create a platform for them. Barbora Urbanová from the centrist junior coalition STAN party expressed similar sentiments, stating that she often feels like she hits a glass ceiling, as it’s not normal for women to be in politics and express their opinions openly (The New Indian Express).
Initiatives for Change
In response to these challenges, Ochodnická and her colleague have taken proactive steps to support women in politics. They have set up a group to assist newcomers and help them adapt to life in parliament, and promote a change in the rules of procedure to shorten working hours. Current rules allow the opposition to obstruct sessions with long diatribes slowing down the legislative process. Ochodnická advocates for reducing the number of extraordinary sessions and sessions lasting until after midnight to make parliament more efficient (The New Indian Express).
The Path Forward
While the representation of women in Czech politics has seen incremental improvements, significant challenges remain. The personal struggles of female politicians, systemic barriers, and cultural norms continue to impede the full participation of women in the political process. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society, including political parties, media, and the public, to create an environment where women can thrive and contribute equally in the political arena.
References:
- Source: New Indian Express
- Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Czech government or any other government entity. Readers are encouraged to consult official statements and reports for authoritative information.
