- In spite of some advances in the status of women, Israel is in need of significant improvement in a range of women’s issues. If men do not rally zealously round the struggle against gender injustice, leaving these challenges that are only of interest women, we cannot expect meaningful progress.
- The violence directed against women in Israel is intolerable. In addition to the many cases of murder, according to the Israeli police, hundreds of thousands of women suffer every day from violence within their family. The solutions are well-known: more stringent enforcement and sentencing; increasing the network of support and shelters for battered women; and education for all ages. Israel’s government has increased the funding for these areas – but it is still inadequate. Recently, I drafted dozens of Knesset members from both the coalition and opposition to sign a position calling on the government to sign the Istanbul Convention, an international agreement that requires member states to combat violence against women. I was delighted when the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided to support this move – one that will offer a normative basis for interventions to that seek to promote expanded efforts to protect women from all forms of attack.
- Salary gaps due to gender differences in Israel are not going down: In 2021, for every shekel earned by Israeli men, women earned but 68 agurot. The phenomenon has many causes, but it is impossible to ignore the existence of discrimination amongst many employers. It is important to expand inspection capacity in this area and open new channels of communication for reporting cases of gender-based discrimination in order to contain the phenomenon.
- These disparities in income do not start with the entrance in the work force. Rather, they begin with the education and socialization that Israeli boys and girls receive. The Ministry of Education needs to ramp up its focus on gender equality as part of its training program. It is also important to bolster the support for girls that consider learning math and science tracks in high school and to continue the trend of opening expanded opportunities for young women to join combat units in the IDF. Most of all, messages about equality of opportunity for all need to begin with early childhood education and continue through high school.
- Family status law in Israel discriminate against women. In many cases Rabbinical Courts exacerbate the situation. Existing laws should be changed to allow women access to secular Family Courts as a default, legal option in all procedures associated with personal status, child custody and alimony payments. Solutions need to be found to ameliorate the abuse faced by women whose husbands have disappeared or who refuse to grant them divorces. In a different context, appropriate representation of women on municipal Religious Councils should be mandated. In addition, although it is a sensitive topic, it is impossible to ignore the phenomenon of polygamy in Israel. Polygamy causes emotional damage to women and perpetuates their exploitation. The vast majority of Muslim and Jewish Israelis oppose the practice of plural wives. It is also a violation of criminal law. Not long ago, a government commission published a wide range of recommendations for containing the phenomenon. I have begun a series of efforts to promote implementation. The time has come.
- The exclusion of women from the public sphere has emerged as a highly-charged societal controversy. In my view there is no room for a public debate. In an enlightened society, we cannot accept division of the public domain based on gender. We cannot accept norms that relegate women to inferior places on buses, at concerts or other cultural events. Experience has taught that “separate is not equal”. Sanctions should be imposed against parties that insist on preventing women full access to the public sphere, a practice that runs contrary to the values and spirit that has accompanied the state of Israel since the Declaration of Independence.
- For too long a forbearance prevailed in Israel regarding the phenomenon of prostitution. In recent years, society has internalized the extent of the damage done to women and men who are forced to work as prostitutes. We now understand that it is not really a voluntary decision. Accordingly, we must do more to reduce prostitution in all forms, especially human trafficking in women. It is important to expand enforcement of the laws directed against the clients of prostitutes, as well as investing in the rehabilitation of sex workers.
- If we wish to catalyze true fundamental social change in the area of gender equality, we cannot minimize the importance of “leading by example”. The number of women who receive key leadership positions remains small. In 2021 once again, only three women serve as CEOs of 125 public companies in Israel. Even in the Parliament, the situation is not brilliant: after the elections to the 24th Knesset, 30 women took the oath of office – in other words only 25% of the Knesset members. It is possible to stipulate in legislation a minimal level of representation of women in decision making forums in Israel. It’s not as if there is any lack of talented and qualified women.
- The economic reality in Israel requires that all adults work: women and men alike. In spite of this, in most families, including those in which both parents work, women are still left with the lion’s share of housekeeping and childcare duties. Among single parent families, the additional burden is even more challenging. There are many countries that have adopted policies that support a reasonable balance between motherhood and a career. For example, it would be well to incentivize large workplaces to run kindergartens and day care centers. Such policies, ostensibly impose modest costs on these companies, but also can significantly increase worker productivity.
- Even in a multi-cultural society, there needs to be a consensus about equality between the sexes and the status of women in all areas of life. The subject of gender equality needs to be a fundamental principle in all public institutions, starting with lessons in school and support for women’s sporting activities to expanded oversight programs about practices in public institutions, the workplace and the public domain. Ultimately, a society that initiates the best for all its citizens — is a healthier, wealthier and happier place.
