(Photo by Jakub T. Jankiewicz via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, an unusual tradition unfolds on Easter Monday: men and boys weave willow branches into a braided whip called a pomlázka, decorate it with beautifully coloured ribbons, and whip women and girls with it.
The humiliation doesn’t end there. Men either throw buckets of water on women and girls, submerge them in a cold bath, or even chuck them in a village pond. And what do these males get in return? Chocolate and painted eggs.
The whipping is said to bring good luck, youthfulness, and fertility to women and girls. Narratives around the holiday impose motherhood and suggest getting hit with the stick makes one appear more desirable. The controversy surrounding the Easter traditions reflects ingrained misogynistic attitudes towards women, especially given their longstanding voiced objections to the practices.
While Czech women generally don’t like to dramatize, a recent survey found that 80% of Czech women dislike the whipping tradition, with 33% actively avoiding it, and the remainder enduring it despite their displeasure. Of those surveyed, 25% reported suffering bruises, 44% experienced pain, and 19% felt humiliated or hopeless. Notably, 64% of Gen Z men embrace the tradition. This is the same generation with some of the highest levels of loneliness. I wonder why.
As a Czech woman, I annually discuss this topic with my family. One of my aunties recalls an extended great-uncle who used to leave welts on them as kids. For a holiday meant to bring people together, commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ (for those who believe), and mark a joyful time, it’s troubling that so many associate it with negativity. If traditions do not receive active and enthusiastic consent, can they truly be considered fun and harmless? By modern standards of consent, the answer is no.
Transforming Traditions to Blend With Modern Perspectives
Around Easter, the Czech and Slovak diaspora communities in Edmonton, Canada, come together for an event that blends tradition with modern perspectives. This gathering welcomes all children to learn how to make a pomlázka. Laughter quickly fills the room as kids playfully chase each other with their new creations, ribbons flying through the air. Skillful hands make kraslice, hand-painted eggs decorated with beeswax. Smaller, less steady hands adorn their eggs in simpler ways.
Although it does not mirror Easter as it is celebrated back home, the gathering is joyful. No one leaves feeling humiliated or resentful. Consent to the activities and respect for women and girls are key to this celebration.
What is Consent?
Consent is a clear, enthusiastic, and freely given agreement before and during any activity. It must be affirmative, unambiguous, ongoing, and sober. It is not silence, passivity, or ignoring “no.”
Pressuring someone or assuming permission based on past interactions does not qualify as consent. Statements like “I’m not sure,” “maybe we should wait,” and “I don’t know” should all be taken as no. One cannot give consent under manipulation, coercion, threats, or when someone cannot make a sober and informed decision.
In the Czech Republic, the past legal definition of sexual assault did not explicitly include the absence of consent. This oversight prevented prosecuting cases where the survivor did not consent but could not express so. Various institutions and organizations have actively advocated for an update to the legal definition of sexual assault to include a lack of consent. This campaigning led to a landmark change in the definition in 2025 from forced to non-consensual sexual intercourse.
Leading Change and Protecting Reproductive Rights in Central Europe
Across the European Union, one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence from the age of 15. The true extent of the violence is difficult to determine, as what gets reported is only a fraction of the reality. In 2016, a report indicated that 67% of Czechs believe that sexual assault survivors are responsible when they are sexually assaulted.
This alarming statistic prompted the emergence of Konsent, a non-profit organization dedicated to addresing rape culture and transforming conversations around consent. Konsent delivers workshops on anti-bullying, cyber safety, and sexual violence prevention, equipping communities with essential safety tools and spreading awareness. The non-profit also published a book offering advice to parents and caregivers on discussing sex, body image, and respectful relationships with their children.
A new study in 2022 found that the percentage of people blaming sexual assault survivors had dropped to 40%. This shift in perception shows the importance of continuing consent education, which many regard as a pathway to prevention and meaningful social change. Part of this work includes maintaining progress while accelerating collective action towards gender equality.
On April 26, 2025, a powerful pro-choice rally in Prague successfully countered a march opposing abortion rights. Amnesty International and Konsent, organizations that actively campaign to have the right to abortion enshrined in the Czech constitution, quickly mobilized supporters. Pro-choice activists raised their banners, displaying messages such as “Abortion can save a life,” “Women aren’t incubators,” and “Every 23 minutes a woman dies from an illegal abortion.”
Photos courtesy of Adél Císařová.
Although abortion remains legal in the country, concerns persist that authorities might revoke this right. Many fear living in a totalitarian patriarchal society akin to the one depicted in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, where governments remove women’s fundamental human rights and reduce them to being reproductive tools, incubators. This scenario isn’t far-fetched considering far-right politicians fixating on baby-making and the rollback of abortion rights in countries such as Poland, El Salvador, and the United States, all of which exhibit democratic backsliding.
Supporting and mentoring Czech women to enter and stay in politics is important as they are underrepresented in political decision-making and have valuable perspectives and approaches to bring to national and international politics. Women only hold approximately 20% of the national legislature, which is 13% below the EU average. Women and gender expansive people need to have a seat at the table where decision-making that affects their bodily autonomy happens. As feminist scholar Carol Hanisch asserted, “The personal is political.”
Comedy For a Cause
Bianca Lala is an emerging stand-up comedian, producer, and writer from Romania who uniquely turns life’s absurdities into hilarious and relatable jokes. With a remarkable linguistic skill set, she performs in at least six languages. Behind her witty and sometimes dark sense of humour lies a compassionate heart. She is deeply committed to positively impacting and supporting various causes, demonstrating that laughter can be a powerful force for good.
In February 2025, Bianca Lala and emerging comedian Adél Císařová partnered with Edison Film Hub and Konsent to organize a stand-up comedy fundraiser for Konsent. The event featured a show in Czech and another in English, with one selling out. Comedians generously donated their time, talent, and skills to the cause, with each show including one male comedian. This time, men were the diversity hires. The event raised over 35,000 Czech crowns.
Reflecting on the experience, Lala noted, “In Central and Eastern Europe, audiences usually have a ‘prove yourself, make me laugh’ attitude. They tend to be more reserved. It’s a cultural thing. But with this show, it was different. Before I even started crowd work, people were clapping and cheering. It was such a good crowd.” For Lala and Císařová, the event was empowering. They were pleased to see a strong turnout of men supporting the cause. Men who actively challenge stereotypes, confront rape culture, and uplift women and gender-diverse people around them play a critical role in advancing gender equality.
Breaking Barriers in European Stand-Up Comedy
Lala’s journey into stand-up began unexpectedly. A year after moving to Prague, she stumbled into an English open mic. She had no idea that it existed in Europe, nor did she think comedy could become a viable career coming from Eastern Europe. “It’s not something my family would have encouraged, especially as a woman. It’s such a male-dominated industry and boys’ club.”
She has observed a pattern among men who use stand-up as an excuse to say things without consequences. For example, making vacuous remarks on the Holocaust or pedophilia in an attempt to be provocative. Lala’s reaction is, “You’re a 35-year-old accountant, stop trying to be edgy.”
On the other hand, Lala pointed out that some women in comedy see others as threats rather than allies because of internalized misogyny and scarcity. Some believe only a few women can succeed or be in a line-up. Instead of falling into that trap or staying there too long, Lala says, “We have to support each other without comparing our talents.”
After the shows, people frequently approach her. She encourages them to give stand-up a shot as new comedians are always in demand. She noted, “Nine out of ten men will say, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea. I could do that.’ Meanwhile, nine out of ten women say, ‘Oh no, I could never.'” Prague’s comedy scene offers increasing opportunities for women comics, such as The Laughing Muses, where Císařová performed for the first time. This show hosts line-ups with women and LGBTQI+ comics. The English comedy scene primarily features these efforts, although some notable Czech ones like Humorně ZaloŽENY exist.
Getting Involved in Community Organizing
Lala envisions a more youth-led and diverse comedy scene. She emphasized, “The value of comedy is in its diversity.” She finds that making people laugh fosters connection and challenges stigma: “It’s harder to hate someone when they can make you laugh.”
Beyond encouraging new comics, Lala hopes to collaborate with more non-governmental organizations like Místní místním. This non-profit works with establishments to provide free services such as restrooms, water, and phone charging stations for those in need. They challenge the normalization of hostile architecture and advocate for welcoming public spaces.
It is easy to get stuck on the practical ways to support causes, feeling paralyzed by the need to find tangible solutions. Some assume that addressing climate change demands an engineering background or that advocating for abortion rights necessitates medical expertise. Lala believes that everyone has a unique way of supporting causes. “If you’re an artist, you can create something beautiful and thought-provoking, write a poem, or produce a comedy show,” she explained. There are countless ways to make a difference by offering skills, talents, or time.
As Bianca Lala asserts, “You don’t have to be rich to be socially involved. Every conscious effort matters.”
Edited by Light Naing
