Women's issues? The world needs them now more than ever.

We spoke with Michaela Bakala, patron of the Top Women of the Czech Republic award, about the twenty years of the project, changes in gender issues over time, and about men. "We are on our way, but we are not at the finish line," says Michaela Bakala, as she highlights the upcoming annual Top Women of the Czech Republic full-day conference, which will take place at the end of March and bring inspiration to both business and management.

Author Jaroslav Mašek, Editor-in-Chief of Hospodářské noviny Published in PročNe, the magazine of Hospodářské noviny on March 12, 2025

What comes to mind when you hear “20 years of Top Women of the Czech Republic”? A lot of work. A lot of work done not only by the organizers, but also by the women who inspired HN editors to explore women's topics and highlight their successes. There is certainly a lot to look back on. Since I became patron of the awards 10 years ago, I have worked with many of the award-winning women, and I appreciate that the survey also charts the transformation of Czech society, politics, and the economy. Top women have influenced the development of the Czech Republic since the 1990s.

Do you recall a special person or a particularly memorable year? There have been many, but I'll try to name a few of the women from our Hall of who have received lifetime recognition for their work, though most of them continue to work hard. Some of the award-winning entrepreneurs include Jiřina Nepalová (founder of the insurance brokererage Renomia, ed.), Jaroslava Valová from Siko, Zuzana Petrofová with her amazing story of piano production, and from the younger generation, Simona Kijonková, who won last year's businesswomen award and has many more plans. Their recognition is not just about numbers and job titles—the Top Women jury also considers their broader social impact.

What about female managers leading companies they don’t own? One name that comes to mind is Libuše Šmuclerová, a multiple award winner who represents a strong woman and leader in the media industry. I have personally collaborated on several non-profit projects with Tatiana le Moigne, who is currently taking some time off to decide which direction to pursue next, and I have a long-standing friendship with Katharina Kohlmayer (CFO of KKCG, ed.), whose work has an international reach. I have also watched Karolina Topolová grow professionally— hers is a great story. She seized her opportunity in the male-dominated automotive environment of AAA Auto, starting as a receptionist and moving up to run the company.

We also recognize women in the public sphere, i.e. politicians, scientists, and athletes. Which of them stand out to you? Without a doubt, Lenka Bradáčová belongs in the Hall of Fame, as she is soon set to take office as the Chief Public Prosecutor. I was also impressed by Dana Drábová, who not only has a great professional reputation but also leads by example with her values. I’d also include Meda Mládková for her contributions to the arts, Božena Jirků for philanthropy, and Blanka Říhová and Eva Zažímalová for their achievements in science. Unfortunately, the latter remains very male-dominated. In politics, I must mention Vera Jourová and Danuša Nerudová, who was the first Czech woman to seek the presidency. There are many amazing women who have been recognized over the years, all of whom have inspired me, and I apologize to those I haven’t named. But over the years, we have managed to showcase the successes of over four hundred women.

What has being the patron of the Top Women of the Czech Republic and following the stories of the awardees brought to you personally? The opportunity to do work that continues to be meaningful to me, as well as to encourage me. I love that we have created a community and an environment where we support one another. That's why I never wanted to call Top Women a competition. After all, it's not just about celebrating the winners; more importantly, it's about bringing together women who know that success, work, and life are a long haul. And they understand that they, too, have probably received help along the way, so they want to spread that positive energy. And it's only fair to add that alongside these successful women, there are often men who gave them a chance and weren’t afraid to support them—whether the women were their colleagues, partners, or even daughters.

How have women's issues changed over the 20 years of the award? In the beginning, the focus was primarily on equal opportunities and, therefore, the representation of women in business, management, and the public sector. Then there was a lot of discussion on a topic which can be summed up with one question: is there something wrong with an ambitious woman? Over time, balancing all the roles women take on has been a recurring challenge. More recently, discussions have centered around equal pay, mental health, and resilience. A new generation of women has emerged—one that places greater emphasis on psychology and well-being, and I think that’s a positive shift. I am part of a generation primarily focused on performance; work always came first. We didn't think much about whether we would burn out in a few years - maybe no one was even familiar with the expression. Which is not to say that it was the right mindset, rather, it was just the way things were at the time.

Is the Top Women of the Czech Republic award still necessary and useful? Yes. The poll has its place: it fosters a sense of belonging, enables positive connections, and encourages inspiring stories. Our goal is to create social impact and to broach important topics. Because even in 2025, the position of women in society is still not clearly defined. Is she an ambitious witch, a good girl, or a woman taking on male traits? Through this award, we aim to create the societal conditions so that women don’t have to choose between these roles. So that we can be fulfilled in business and be mothers at the same time. It’s not a battle between men and women. It's just at attempt at an equal partnership.

What specific gender-related issues do you see today? The average salaries of men and women are still not equal, there is still talk of a glass ceiling, and the position of women is changing only slowly. At the same time, I believe that initiatives, social pressure, and entrusting women with responsibility are more effective solutions than quotas. Flexible working hours are also key, as are the length of maternity leave and the conditions that companies create for women when they take it. It is sad when companies, for example, deactivate women’s emails when they’re on leave or refuse to involve them even in a limited way in company matters. We are on our way, but we are not at the finish line.

As the patron of the Top Women of the Czech Republic award, how do you envision its future? The format may change a bit in the future, maybe we’ll go even further, but in any case, I’m pleased that at the end of March, we’re organizing another edition of the full-day Top Women of the Czech Republic conference. The main purpose of this conference is to inspire new generations and women who want to succeed in business or management. And in a broader sense? For a while, it may have seemed like the women's issue had been won, but now, unfortunately, even the most basic topics are back on the table. When we look at the situation the world is in, with so-called conservative values gaining strength, it’s clear that gender issues are and will continue to be important. In the US, for instance, women are once again fighting for the right to decide whether they want to become mothers or not. This is why we will continue to address these issues. We're certainly not stopping here.