This year’s Spring Equal Pay Day, also known as Equal Pay Day (EPD), took place on 6th March. This symbolic date serves as an annual reminder that, on average, women must work longer than men to earn the same amount in a year. This year, it amounts to an additional 65 days. The day highlights the ongoing issue of the gender pay gap (GPG), which reflects the inequality in earnings between men and women.
Currently, the gap between the average earnings of men and women in the Czech Republic has risen to 18%. After a gradual, multi-year reduction in this gap, which lasted until 2021 when it reached its lowest point of 15%, the gap has slowly and steadily started to increase once again. The Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR) organisation has been raising awareness of this issue of pay inequality for many years.
While there have been steps taken to reduce the gender pay gap, these have been more one-off measures rather than systemic changes. Factors such as the increase in the minimum wage and salary scales in underpaid sectors, which are predominantly occupied by women, such as education and healthcare, contributed to the temporary reduction in previous years. To continue the trend of reducing the GPG, long-term and systemic changes are necessary.
The greatest disparities in pay between men and women can be found in management positions, senior roles, among specialists, in medical positions, and among university lecturers.
In comparison with the European Union, where the average gap is 13%, the Czech Republic ranks near the bottom. At the top of the rankings are the Nordic countries and Slovenia, where shared parental leave and one-year parental leave are legally supported.
Equal Pay Day Conference in Prague
This week, the Equal Pay Day conference in Prague, Europe’s largest event focused on equal pay and women’s position in the labour market, will be held from tomorrow, 25th to 26th March 2025. This will be the fourth time the conference benefits from the participation of prominent international experts, thanks to financial support from the Central European Initiative (CEI).
The main theme of the 16th edition of the conference is “Potential.” As part of the Equal Pay Day Conference Going International! IV project, speakers from 13 CEI partner countries will gather in Prague to explore solutions for reducing inequalities and increasing women’s participation in decision-making roles. They will present examples of initiatives being implemented in their countries. The programme will feature a wide range of educational activities, including mentoring, support for investing, balancing personal and professional life, and mental health.
For more information about the conference, visit www.equalpayday.cz.
