Equal Pay Day 2026: FUTURE
The theme of this year's Equal Pay Day is the persistent gender pay gap in the Czech Republic. This gap represents not only a problem of equal pay, but also a loss of significant social potential, which is often untapped due to stereotypes, insufficient support for work-life balance, and ineffective communication.
Program and registration in Happenee event application
Starting as of March 15
An eye-opening day.
A day that connects data, technology, leadership and the human dimension of work.
A day that leaves you not only inspired – but with the desire to change things.
The Czech Republic has long been among the EU countries with the largest gender pay gap. We are in 25th place out of 27 Member States. Changes are coming, but slowly. It is a challenge. It is an opportunity. And it is a question of the future of companies and of society as a whole.
Equal Pay Day is a place where people meet who want to understand the changes – and can turn them into practice.
Equal Pay Day Your dose of inspiration and motivation for the whole year.
MAIN TOPICS OF THE CONFERENCE
gender pay gap · equal opportunities · leadership · generation Z · AI · media · future of work
Conference program 26 March, 2026
The program is indicative and may change during the preparations.
8:15 – 9:00
REGISTRATION | space for informal networking
Our conference app helps you find people worth talking to – even before the program starts.
9:00 – 9:10
OPENING CEREMONY
Adéla Holeček, conference guide
9:10 – 9:30
GENERATION Z IS COMING. A FAIR ENVIRONMENT? WE CAN DO IT!
Business case & leadership talk
How to attract, retain and motivate a generation that is changing the rules of the game?
How does Gen Z perceive equal opportunities, transparency and corporate values?
And why will leadership that remains in the past not work in the future?
Fabio Costa, Managing Director of Philip Morris ČR
Kateřina Bičáková, Manager People & Culture Operations Philip Morris ČR
9:30 – 9:50
THE PERIOD OF EXCELLENCE BEGINS. The era of cheap labor is ending.
Business case & leadership talk
Fair and transparent conditions are not a ‘nice to have,’ but the foundation of an environment in which people can fully express their talent.
Eva Bučová, CEO of ING Bank in the Czech Republic
9:50 – 10:10
STILL HERE WITH US? GENDER PAY GAP
Data-Driven Insights & Strategic Advisory
Gender pay gap as a problem. Data, not impressions. Reporting, directives, a functional system – without worries.
Jana Boštíková, managing partner of the HR & Payroll Services and ESG Forvis Mazars department
10:10 – 11:00
INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD: WHAT WORKS ELSEWHERE
From Global Trends to Local Action. Global Perspectives: Ambassadors’ Dialogue.
Equal opportunities. AI. Future. Labor market. Strategy.
H.E. Ms. Snøfrid Byrløkken Emterud, Ambassador of Norway to the Czech Republic
H.E. Mrs. Berenice Diaz Ceballos, Ambassador of Mexico to the Czech Republic
H.E. Mr. Pasi Tuominen, Ambassador of Finland to the Czech Republic and Slovakia
H.E. Mrs. Jana Vanaveski, Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia
H.E. Theresa Adjei-Mensah, Ambassador of Ghana to the Czech Republic
The discussion is led by: Gabriela Bechynská, Government Affairs at Mondelez International
11:00 – 11:20
REFRESH YOURSELF
A short break, coffee and a fresh mind for another inspiring performance
11:20 – 11:40
HOW TO BUILD A FAIR INTERNAL CULTURE THAT GROWS WITH THE BUSINESS
Business case & leadership talk
When equal opportunities become part of the company’s DNA.
What specifically works in practice and why it delivers results.
Tomáš Krňávek, Sales Head CZ&SK at MARS
11:40 – 12:10
NORTHERN WIND into Czech business: Inspiration and best practices from Nordic companies
Business case & leadership talk
Nordic countries have long been regarded as global leaders in the field of equal opportunities. They consistently occupy top positions in satisfaction, gender equality, and quality of life rankings, demonstrating that business can be conducted sustainably towards people and transparently towards finances. So what do they do differently? Is it just a matter of legislation? How does Nordic corporate culture reflect in everyday practice, and what proven methods do Nordic companies operating in the Czech Republic bring? A unique insight into the “kitchen” of iconic brands that have successfully transferred Nordic values into the Czech environment. The discussion will focus on how specific steps can transform fairness into a natural part of corporate DNA – not just an obligatory item in a report.
Eva Malá Beluská, Country People and Culture Manager IKEA
Monika Fürstová, Compliance Officer, Orkla Foods Czech Republic and Slovakia
Petra Johansson, actress and communication expert
The discussion is led by: Lenka Simerská, Executive Director of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic
12:10 – 12:30
IT WAS JUST A JOKE.
Modern self-defense against belittling, stereotypes, and manipulation
Humor, specific situations from practice, and a lively dialogue from female and male perspectives.
How to communicate equality so that women are not perceived as hysterical and men as culprits – and collaboration works.
Jasmína and Pavel Houdek, founders of Modern Self-Defense
12:30 – 13:45
BUFFET LUNCH | NETWORKING
Hotel restaurant Veduta on the 2nd floor
13:45 – 14:00
WE ARE FAR FROM FINISHED | afternoon part full of inspiration
Feel-good vibe
Virtuoso violin and the elegance of the women’s string quartet Ambroš Ladies Orchestra
Viktoria Englberth (1st violin), Gabriela Kubátová (2nd violin), Kateřina Lískovcová (viola), Karolína Bártová (cello), Miroslav Ambroš (solo violin)
14:00 – 14:10
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE GENDER PAY GAP
Data, insights and a few “aha” moments
Be careful about what and how you speak. Social media can dominate business, the mind, and the topic.
Lucie Kvasničková Stanislavská, Vice-Rector for Internal Relations, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
14:10 – 14:40
MEDIA, AI AND THE IMAGE OF SUCCESS
Unexpected perspectives
Women in media, media about women and (in)equality?
Who do we see in the media as an authority – and who not?
How do algorithms, content, and AI influence visibility, ambitions, leadership, and the changes we need?
Jitka Adamčíková, media analyst and founder of the association Women in Media
Jarmila Štuková, award-winning Czech photographer and documentarian
Barbora Kroužková, journalist and presenter
The discussion is moderated by: Jan Novotný, deputy editor-in-chief of E15
14:40 – 15:00
COURAGE and RESILIENCE
Inspiration for stronger soft skills and modern leadership
Once we know what we want and need to change, it is necessary to find courage.
Pavel Moric, lecturer, mentor, coach
15:00 – 15:20
REFRESH YOURSELF
A short break, coffee and a fresh mind for another inspiring performance
15:20 – 15:30
OECD TREND 2026 | Exclusive Access for Equal Pay Day
Data & Vision for the Future
František Ružička, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
15:30 – 16:00
TRENDS 2026 – AI: Challenge or Threat?
Business case & leadership talk
How to respond to AI and how does AI respond to us? Is AI fair? What do we need to see and know? And how does AI (not) help equal opportunities for women and men and the labor market? Not limited to this only.
Kristina Komárková, Business Architect TV Nova
Kateřina Lesch, Group AI Manager Dr. Max
Lucie Malá, Legal Specialist Legitas
Discussion moderated by: Adéla Holeček and Jan Novotný, Deputy Editor-in-Chief E15
16:00 – 16:15
BEFORE and AFTER. Exclusive data on the reality of women-mothers returning to the labor market
Data & Vision for the Future
The first presentation of exclusive research, in which 1,000 women with children under 10 participated.
What should every HR and CEO know? What we don’t think of but should?
Data that will help you not only understand but especially change not only the work environment.
Exclusive research results for DANONE.
16:15 – 16:25
MYTHS, FACTS, SURPRISES or a slightly different take on EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP
A conversation you didn’t expect
An open discussion about what awaits us – and what we often don’t want to hear.
Mária Jakabová, co-founder of Slovak Women Empower
16:25 – 16:50
HOW AI IS TAKING WOMEN TO THE BOARDROOMS
Business case & leadership talk
Carol Constant, G100 Council Member for Pay Parity
Ljubica Kostić Bukarica, President of Business Women Association of Montenegro
Szandra Staudinger-Krucsó, Digital Business Architect, IT department at E.ON
16:50 – 17:00
IDEAS THAT INSPIRE ACTION
Valentina Disoska, President of the Association of Business Women
17:00 – 17:10
IN CONCLUSION: WHAT TO TAKE AWAY
Eva Primus Kovandová, President of Business & Professional Women CR
17:10 – 18:00
NETWORKING, BUSINESS MEETING, TALK
Begin your future with cooperation!
