Gender equality in israel

Israeli women demand more than election promises as parties face pressure over equality

A WIZO survey found that 54% of respondents wanted parties to present clear plans to advance women, as election candidates were questioned about safety, equal pay, and representation.

FROM LEFT: Ziva Glanz of Haredi Public, Lali Deri of People of Israel, Democrats MK Naama Lazimi, Yashar candiate Inbar Yehezkeli, Pnina Tameno-Shete of Blue and White, Israel First candidate Sharren Haskell, and journalist Dafna Liel. (WIZO).
Women make up roughly a quarter of Israel’s Knesset, but their representation thins considerably at the highest levels of political power.PremiumPremium

Where are all the women? Why Israel still struggles to put women at the top of politics

Activists protest against a bill promoting gender-segregated academic study tracks, introduced by MK Limor Son Har-Melech, outside the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 6, 2026.

Haredi women, academics file petition against Israel's new gender-segregated education law

MK Limor Son Har-Melech reacts during a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on March 5, 2024; illustrative.

Knesset approves gender-segregated graduate degree programs in late-night vote


Hypocrisy and deception: The gender segregation bill - opinion

Legislation that is so deeply rooted in hypocrisy and deception should not be considered by the legislative bodies of Israel. 

 MK LIMOR SON HAR-MELECH attends a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, earlier this year. She has presented a bill which seeks to expand and legitimize gender segregation in Israel’s institutions of higher education, beyond what the High Court has permitted.

Knesset advances controversial gender segregation bill for higher education

Opposition MKs criticized the proposed bill as being discriminatory and as legitimizing segregation in Israeli society. 

 MK Limor Son Har-Melech and MK Gilad Kariv attend Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting in the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on August 7, 2024.

Why is the gender gap in tech so large? Entrepreneurs push for change at FemTech 2024

Experts and innovators emphasized mentorship, confidence, and persistence as key strategies for overcoming systemic inequalities in tech.

 FemTech 2024

Yom Kippur prayers in Tel Aviv can take place with partitions to separate genders, High Court rules

Justices Mintz, Grosskopf, and Kasher issued the High Court ruling, which stated that the Tel Aviv municipality is authorized to make arrangements for the Yom Kippur prayer.

 Jews pray while activists protest against gender segregation in the public space during a public prayer on Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and the holiest of Jewish holidays, September 25, 2023.

Expanding gender segregation threatens equality in Israel - opinion

Reports of girls being asked by ultra-Orthodox passengers to move to the back of a bus highlight growing gender segregation efforts in Israel.

 THE HIGH COURT of Justice holds a session. In the past, the court ruled that women cannot be forced to take a specific seat on a bus, the writer notes.

Knesset approves tens of thousands of shekels worth of benefits for relatives of Hamas hostages

The Israeli government has approved financial assistance for families of Hamas hostages, including grants, childcare subsidies, and legal support.

Inside the Knesset building.

Gender equality struggles intensify for Israeli women during war

As men are called up for reserve duty, Israeli women find themselves juggling childcare, work, and household responsibilities during the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

 An illustrative of the wife of a reserve soldier whose payments were taxed.

Women’s voices will be catalysts for change - opinion

As the DNC in Chicago highlighted the powerful voices of Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, and more, the contrast in Israel’s political landscape revealed a critical gender imbalance.

 The writer speaks during a committee discussion in the Knesset about the demand for equality in Israeli politics.

Comptroller: Not enough female representation in local municipalities

All gaps between men and women in local municipalities are deeper than they appear, given that women make up such a great proportion of municipal employees, said the report.

 Women hold signs as they protest for women equality, in Tel Aviv on August 23, 2022.

Jerusalem SlutWalk to protest rape culture, victim blaming

"This year, sexual violence and gender-based violence is closing in on us from all directions and we need the march more than ever," said organizers.

Israel's SlutWalk marches through Jerusalem