Speaking at the 3rd International Forum on Women, Peace, and Security held in Kosovo’s capital, Czech Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that although women are capable and strong on their own, gender quotas have played a critical role in amplifying their voices and ensuring representation in leadership roles.
“I believe women can reach top positions purely on merit,” she said. “But I must admit that gender quotas helped significantly in places like the European Commission, where I served.”
Quotas as a Catalyst for Structural Change
Referring to her experience, the Czech official explained that quotas helped form a critical mass of women in leadership, which eventually normalized female representation and made post-quota equality sustainable.
“In the EU Commission, after ten years of gender quotas, you now see women like Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas at the table — not as tokens, but as leaders. The system has corrected itself thanks to the push quotas gave.”
Context: Global Push for Gender Inclusion in Peacebuilding
Her comments come at a time when states and international institutions are reassessing inclusion strategies, particularly in the fields of peace and security, which have traditionally been male-dominated.
The Pristina-based forum brought together global diplomats, senior officials, activists, and civil society representatives to share best practices and chart a path toward gender equality and sustainable peace.
“Promoting women to leadership is not just about fairness — it’s about bringing diverse thinking into spaces where critical decisions about peace and war are made,” she noted.
