Women's underrepresentation in Israel's decision-making circles is not merely a women's issue but a democratic one, Naamat International President Hagit Peer said during a panel discussion at the Jerusalem Post Conference in New York.
Speaking on the panel "Voices of Strength: Leaders Shaping the Future of Israel and the Jewish World," Peer encouraged women to take initiative rather than wait for opportunities to be offered to them. "My golden advice to women is: don't wait for permission," she said. "If you want to do it, do it. Get to the table and sit there, and don't wait for opportunity. And if there isn't a place at the table, build another one."
Peer said that while women make up half of Israel's population, they remain absent from many key decision-making positions. "When you look around, women are missing from key decision-making positions in Israel, and this is not a bug, it's a feature," she said. "It's not only a women's issue, it's a democratic issue."
She argued that countries cannot make the best decisions when women's experience and perspectives are missing from leadership roles. To address the gap, Peer outlined initiatives led by Naamat, including leadership workshops, mentorship programs, and opportunities for young women entering the workplace or the public sphere for the first time. "We have to work bottom up," she said.
Peer also mentioned efforts to advance legislation affecting women and families, such as expanding fathers' parental leave rights. According to Peer, the assumption that caregiving is primarily a mother's responsibility harms women both professionally and personally. "When fathers take a meaningful part in leave and stay with the child, it means both a change in the workplace and a change in the family structure," she said. While legislation is important, Peer stressed that cultural change must follow. "The law is not enough," she said. "We have to do it in action."
Written in collaboration with Naamat