Government Council for Equal Opportunities

The Government Council for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men

The Government Council for Equality of Women and Men is a permanent advisory body to the Government in creating equal opportunities for women and men. The Council was established by the Government Resolution No. 1033 dated 10 October 2001.

The Council prepares proposals aimed at promoting and achieving equality of women and men. The Council in particular:

  • discusses and recommends the basic conceptual directions for the Government in promoting equality of women and men;
  • coordinates the guidelines for ministerial concepts regarding equality of women and men;
  • sets priorities for ministerial projects to support the implementation of the principle of equality of women and men;
  • identifies current problems in society with respect to equality of women and men;
  • evaluates the effectiveness of implementation of the principle of equality of men and women.

At present, the Council established the following committees and working groups:

  • Committee on Institutionalisation of Equal Opportunities for Women and Men;
  • Committee for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women;
  • Committee on the Balanced Representation of Women and Men in Politics and Decision-making Positions;
  • Committee for the Harmonisation of Work, Private and Family life;
  • Working Group of Men and Gender Equality;
  • Working Group on Obstetrics;
  • Working Group for the Funding Program Support of Public Activities of Non-governmental Organisations in the Field of Equality of Women and Men[z1] .

The Czech Government Resolution no. 492 dated 25 June 2014 was the document for gender equality policy agenda and the Council Secretariat moved from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to the Office of the Government.

Chairman of the Council is, in accordance with the Statute, a Cabinet member, whose remit includes gender equality. A current chairman is the Council minister for human rights, equal opportunities and legislation Jiri Dienstbier.

Council meetings are held when necessary, but at least four times a year. Information on the activities of the Council is open to the public on the website of the Office of Government. The Council has no power to investigate citizens' complaints about violations of the principles of gender equality. Organizational, technical and administrative work and the publication of information on the Council's work is provided by the Council Secretariat (Department of Equality of Women and Men), which is an organizational part of the Government.

More information at:  http://www.vlada.cz/cz/ppov/rovne-prilezitosti-zen-a-muzu/uvodni-stranka...