Evening University continues in the summer term. We will discuss gender (in)equality
The invitation was accepted by human rights and gender equality expert Silvia Porubänová, journalist Ria Gehrer and the Chair of the UCM Gender Equality Commission Zuzana Draková.
Gender equality is an often talked about topic, but to what extent is it really achieved in our society? There are still areas where there are still differences in salaries, in the representation of women and men in leadership positions or in access to parental leave. What are the causes of these inequalities? How can we overcome them? And what role do stereotypes and legislative measures play in this debate? Not only these questions will be answered by the experts who have accepted the invitation to the discussion entitled Gender (in)equality.
The aim of the regular UCM discussion format is to present current social issues through attractive discussions with external guests and experts from the academic environment. This discussion will take place on Tuesday, 11 March at 18.00 in the premises of the Little Berlin at Štefánikova 4 in Trnava. Admission is free for all visitors.
Silvia Porubänová is an expert on human rights, gender equality, non-discrimination and social inclusion. She has worked for many years as a publicist, lecturer and expert guarantor of international projects. Her research and publications focus on equal opportunities for men and women, as well as on human rights aspects of non-discrimination. She is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on these topics.
She is actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting the political and social participation of women and disadvantaged groups, with a particular focus on the rights of LGBTI+ people and marginalised Roma communities.
She represented Slovakia in the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) from 2011 to 2020 and was elected as a member of the EQUINET Board of Directors in 2021. At the national level, she is a member of the Slovak Government Council for Human Rights, National Minorities and Gender Equality.
She has received several awards for her many years of professional work, including the Gold Medal of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic and the UN Honorable Mention. She is one of the most quoted experts in the media in Slovakia and regularly speaks in discussions on gender equality, inclusion and human rights.
Ria Gehrerová is a Slovak journalist who has worked at Denník N since 2015. Before joining Denník N, she worked as an editor for the news portals Teraz.sk and Školský servis. She also contributed to QYS magazine, a magazine for the LGBTI community and the general public. At Denník N she covers domestic issues, women's rights and minorities. She has been nominated for the Journalism Award several times, and has won the Štúr's Pen award for her articles, for example for texts on sexual assistance for people with disabilities, on menstruation and on a girl abused by a parish priest. Twice in a row, she has been awarded the Media Award by the Inakosť Initiative for a series of articles in Denník N, in which she has been following developments in the field of LGBTI rights for a long time and in a systematic way. At the same time, she critically processes the activities of the so-called anti-gender movement and its negative impact on the lives of women and LGBTI people in Slovakia.
Zuzana Draková, PhD, PhD, is Vice Dean for Gender Equality and Social Issues at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava (UCM). She also works as an assistant professor at the Institute of Social Work and Social Policy of this faculty. In addition, she is the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality at UCM, where she is involved in the development and implementation of the equal opportunities policy for the staff and students of the University. Her academic work focuses on social policy, social work, gender equality, human rights, discrimination, violence and social services. Her research includes topics such as the adaptability of seniors to modern technology, doll therapy in gerontology or technological innovation and intergenerational cooperation. In 2024, she received the Heart on the Palm award for her volunteer activities, which she is involved in various organizations. She also guides her students to get involved in volunteering. She is also the sponsor of the University of the Third Age.
