Word on the Street: Women in politics

"The Cabinet should be balanced. The reason no women are present is because male politicians are self-centered. Politics today is a rough business, and the female element is missing. Women can bring more fairness and social empathy into an already too aggressive political climate."

Karel Fink, photographer

"I believe in the current government, male politicians have advanced because of merit, not gender. However, we should not forget that women cultivate the society."

Vladimír Štěpánek, retired

Karel Fink

Vladimír Štěpánek

Hedvika Strasserová

Sylva Chramostová

Jan Měchura

Ivan Dvořák

"It is mostly the men who decide the fate of our nation. But women have better insight into the real issues, especially health. Plus, I think it is easier for men to advance in their careers because they are expected to remain in the position longer than women."

Hedvika Strasserová, sales representative

"We have had enough of men. Women know better how to get things right, especially in health or education. Male politicians guard the positions for themselves. In Slovakia, for example, the prime minister is a woman, and they have no problem with it. So, why couldn't it work here?"

Sylva Chramostová, disability pensioner

"There are no women in the Cabinet because men would not let them in. Women have different opinions on things and are better democrats, whereas men tend to fight and argue. Women are better at solving problems. Men only care about their careers instead of the important issues."

Jan Měchura, nurse

"If they want to be in the Cabinet, then why not? But when women want to have kids, they should spend at least three years with them and not run back into politics immediately. This government is going to cut benefits for families with kids, and there should be women in the Cabinet who can speak up for families. I think all ministers should go abroad to see how other countries do things and learn from them."

Ivan Dvořák, pensioner