VFN Gender Equality Plan

VFN fully supports the policy of equal opportunities for all its employees, paying maximum attention to creating a positive and supportive working environment. Our goal is to create a working environment that promotes fair opportunities for all employees regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin or other differences.

In 2022, the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) was created as a strategic document of the General Hospital for the period from October 2022 to October 2025. The aim was to strengthen gender equality, diversity and prevention of discrimination in accordance with the Czech legislation “Strategy for Equality between Women and Men 2021 – 2030” and in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission.

In 2022, the Gender Studies ops organization conducted an initial survey to map the situation and trends in the field of gender equality in the VFN environment. Document analysis, a questionnaire survey (in which 1,111 respondents participated), and individual and group interviews were conducted. Key areas were identified from the survey: stereotypes in recruitment, shortcomings in evaluation, limited work flexibility, insufficient kindergarten capacity, missing gender data in research, and prevention and resolution of incentives for negative behavioral manifestations.

Based on this investigation, the Gender Studies ops GEP (Gender Equality Plan) organization prepared a document with twenty-six measures in five areas and deadlines for the implementation of individual measures. The entire document was published on the VFN website.

Main areas of GEP

I. Recruitment and selection procedures

II. Career growth and equal representation

III. Balancing work and personal life

IV. The gender dimension of science and research

V. Prevention of gender-based violence

Since 2022, VFN has gradually implemented all the steps set out in the GEP in all identified areas and continues to systematically continue training existing and new employees in the areas of prevention and resolution of negative behavioral stimuli, and regularly provides training for managerial employees in the areas of recruitment, evaluation, motivation, and work-life balance.

In the field of science and research, regular monitoring of the gender dimension is carried out. Statistics of scientific workers are kept according to their education, divided into women and men, and these are regularly published in Annual Reports and other documents according to the requirements of grant agencies, founders, etc. This helps to fulfill European and national strategies for equality between women and men in science and research and to support an inclusive approach to innovation.