Women in Czech Politics and the Role of NGO Forum 50 % Mgr. Marcela Adamusová

Women in Decision-Making Chamber of Deputies: 44 women of 200 memers, 22 % Senate: 15 women of 81 senators, 18,5 % Government: 0 women of 15 members, 0 % Regions: 1 woman of 13 hetmans, 7,7 %

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 statutary mayors, 8,7 %

Causes of Underrepresentation of Women in Czech Politics Individual Barriers – patriarchal model of family, different measures for males and females, different concept of power Social Barriers – traditional concept of male and female roles, women are interested in politics less then men, absence of female role models, different socialization of boys and girls Institutional Barriers – internal mechanisms of political parties, electoral system,way of nomination of candidates, absence of affirmative action programmes

Women in Political Parties Women are present in political parties: 30 – 52 % of members are women Lack of women in leadership: 25 % of women The higher position in a party, the less women (“glass ceiling”) Result: women have only little opportunity to participate in decision-making within their parties (e.g. assembling ballots, promoting affirmative action, funding women’s organizations within parties)

Forum 50 %: Basic Facts founded in 2004 as an attempt to change the situation of women in Czech politics strictly non-party association main goal: increase women’s political participation in the Czech Republic (regardless of age, political opinions, ethnicity, religion etc.)

Forum 50 %: Activities collecting data concerning public opinion on the issue of participation of women in politics public discussions – round tables, panel discussions, seminars initiating discussion about affirmative action as a strategic tool to reach equal representation lobbying training of female politicians organisation of campaigns (especially in pre-election periods) support of research connected with the issues Forum 50 % deals with

Forum 50 %: „Chicken campaign“

Forum 50 %: „Chicken tour“

Forum 50 %: „Chicken with the First Lady“

Forum 50 %: Protest against men- only government

Thank you for your attention. Marcela Adamusová