Dynamics of Progress and Resistance: Gender Equality Reforms in the Czech Republic

This paper investigates the trajectory and dynamics of reproductive rights and gender issues in the Czech Republic between 2006 and 2024, examining their implications for democratic resilience. Over this period, the Czech Republic witnessed significant progress in addressing domestic violence and rape legislation, driven by civil society activism and shifts in public attitudes. However, failures to ratify the Istanbul Convention and legalize same-sex marriage highlight the challenges posed by the growing influence of domestic and international conservative and populist forces. The paper will compare the dynamics using four case studies - two successful reforms (domestic violence and rape) and two failures of same-sex marriage and the Istanbul Convention. The comparison of the two pairs of case studies reveals how domestic and transnational advocacy networks leverage targeted campaigns and shift mainstream party dynamics to block or foster progressive gender policies. Analysis of public debates, parliamentary discussion, parliamentary votes and interviews provide insides on how socially conservative forces turn gender equality into a culture war, hindering reforms. By analyzing these developments, the paper identifies the conditions that enable progress or foster resistance to gender equality reforms, offering generalizable insights into gendered democratic resilience amidst regional and global populist pressures.