Czech women continue to face significant workplace barriers, ranking 25th out of 29 OECD countries in gender equality, lagging behind their Central European counterparts in Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary. The annual Glass Ceiling Index by The Economist, now in its thirteenth year, reveals persistent challenges in the Czech workplace landscape.
The gender pay gap remains a pressing issue, with Czech women earning 13.2% less than their male counterparts – a figure worse than the 11.4% OECD average. Perhaps more alarmingly, women’s representation in management positions has significantly declined, dropping to just 28% from over two-fifths in 2022.
According to economist Mariola Pytliková from SYRI National Institute and CERGE-EI, the primary challenge lies in work-life balance. “The combination of extended parental leave and insufficient childcare facilities creates significant barriers,” she explains. This extended career break often disconnects women from rapidly evolving workplace dynamics and technological advancements.
There is, however, a silver lining: Czech women have made notable progress in corporate governance, holding nearly 38% of board positions, surpassing the index average of 33%.