About

Gender Studies, o.p.s. is a non-governmental non-profit organisation: an information, education and consulting centre on gender equality and the position of men and women in society. Gender Studies also runs a library covering a variety of publications and materials related to feminism, gender studies, women’s and men’s rights, queerness, LGBTQ+, and many more. Furthermore, the organisation offers free legal counseling in the field of gender-based and/or age-based discrimination, with special focus on workplace and specific life situations such as maternity leave, parental leave and workplace inequalities.

History

The non-governmental non-profit organisation Gender Studies, o.p.s. was founded in 1991 in the private apartment of Jiřina Šiklová, an influential Czech sociologist. Originally, Gender Studies functioned as a library and a so-called Curriculum Centre. One of the key impulses behind its foundation were two conferences held in 1991: Women in the Changing Europe, held in Denmark, and a European Meeting of Women from the East and the West, held in Dubrovnik. It was in Dubrovnik that Jiřina Šiklová met Ann Snitow, a member of the Network of East-West Women (NEWW) to agree informally on the support from NEWW to found a centre for gender studies in Prague. The primary goals were to run a library and promote lectures on gender studies at Czech universities.

The organisation was officially founded in 1992: first as a foundation, and later, following a few legal changes, as an organisation of public benefit. In 1994, the centre moved from Jiřina Šiklová’s apartment, starting an era of independent existence. Today it resides at in the centre of Prague, at Masarykovo nábřeží 8 in the district of Prague 2. The library is a professional body that has grown to be the largest institution of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. Because of the initiative of Gender Studies, a Centre for Gender Studies was opened at the Philosophical Faculty, Charles University in 1998. Several years later, it moved to the Faculty of Humanities as an independent Department of Gender Studies. Currently, Gender Studies focuses on legal and workplace-related consultations, raising awareness campaigns, education and promotion of gender-related issues, equal opportunities and inequalities.

What we do

conduct gender equality audits at private companies and public institutions
train employers in developing non-discriminatory workplace environment with guaranteed equal opportunities for everyone
encourage youth to choose careers regardless of society’s gender-based expectations
train teachers in integrating gender as an essential factor in society in the curricula
hold expert conferences and issue publications on gender, LGBTQ+, equality in the workplace, etc.
organise raising awareness campaigns
issue a quarterly newsletter Equal Opportunities in Context / Rovné příležitosti v souvislostech
comment on topics related to feminism and gender in the media
run the online platform FEMINISMUS.CZ
act as members of The Government Council for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, Czech Womens´ Lobby and other networks

Mission Statement

We will not leave until there is genuine equality between men and women.

The goal of the Gender Studies, o.p.s. is to create space for discussion regarding the roles and positions of women and men in society, to promote tolerance for unconventional lifestyles and to systematically eliminate gender inequalities. In order to achieve these goals we promote changes in the following areas:

Eliminating gender stereotypes in society

breaking stereotypical views of gender roles in the areas of work, family, and education (both at school and in the family)
gender-sensitive representation of men and women in the media
reinforcing the freedom of women to make decisions about their own lives

Eliminating gender stereotypes in child rearing and in education

implementing gender-sensitive practices in the education of children and youth
reducing the effect of gender stereotypes on career choices
supporting women in entering traditionally male occupations and vice versa
supporting life-long personal development and the development of creative skills in all life stages, including during periods of parental and maternity leave

Breaking gender stereotypes in the family

eliminating discrimination of parents and persons caring for minors
establishing equal conditions for fathers and mothers on maternity leave
supporting active fatherhood
supporting gay and lesbian couples in parenting
promoting various forms of partnership including marriage and registered partnership as equally valuable

Advocating for a labor market free of gender-based and age-based discrimination

encouraging non-discriminatory hiring practices
advocating for equal pay for equal work
promoting equal career growth opportunities for men and women regardless of age
campaigning for equal opportunities on the labor market regardless of gender and age
encouraging dignified pensions not reduced by years spent on parental leave
eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace

Supporting work-life balance

promoting “flexi—security”: developing flexible work arrangements (part-time, shared, tele-commuting and work-from-home contracts) and securing essential social rights and benefits
support and development of traditional childcare institutions (nurseries, kindergartens) and alternative forms of childcare
breaking stereotypical views of gender roles in the workplace, family and the household
supporting work-life balance arrangements on the part of employers and employees alike

Greater representation of women in decision-making processes

Stopping violence against women

zero tolerance of domestic violence, sexual harassment, abuse of and trafficking in people

Promoting the right to bodily integrity

securing women’s right to free decision-making about maternity and assisted reproduction
promoting respect for all female and male bodies
calling into question images of ideal female and male body types