Gender gap in online deliberative practices: the case of Czech Pirate Party

In recent decades, a new kind of parties, called digital or deliberative parties connected to the goal of a transparent and open decision-making process, emerged in several countries across EU. These parties declaratively delimit themselves from traditional party organization and emphasize the inclusiveness, transparency and intra-party democracy. However, the studies how the deliberative practices within such parties help to give a voice to various groups are rather rare. This paper explores how activity of female and male members and supporters of the Czech Pirate Party, one of most prominent examples of digital parties, differs on discussions related to different levels of politics (local, regional, national). Such study helps us to recognize, whether new kind of party organization allows to overcome usual hurdles for female participation and representation.