Since its creation, the European Union (EU) has been taking steps towards prevention of gender discrimination and greater gender equality. Despite all efforts, remarkable inequalities and gender gaps persist throughout the Union. Even though European women account for majority of all university graduates, they only represent about fifteen percent of decision-makers in state and private institutions including governments, universities, scientific institutions and private companies. The Czech Republic lags behind most states with one of the lowest percentage of female representation in state and private decision-making organs as well as one of the biggest European pay gaps. Based on a comparative analysis of existing EU and Czech gender and anti-discrimination legislation, this paper aims to assess influence of the EU acquis in the area of gender equality in the Czech Republic. More concretely, it analyses a progress of the European gender legislation which evolved from provisions of mere equality of pay for equal work to obligatory gender mainstreaming and encouragement of wide range of positive actions including obligatory quotas. Furthermore, it provides an analysis of current legislation and practices in the Czech Republic and assesses major challenges and obstacles which slow down or even prevent adoption of new progressive EU proposals.
