Israeli soccer officials on Thursday said that teams in the Premier League, the country's top flight league, will take part in a campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence against women, that will be featured in this weekend's games.
Before each game, the players will take to the field accompanied by a woman and will be holding signs reading, "No to Violence against Women."
"In most cases, the victims of violence stay silent because of fear or shame. We need to be cognizant and attentive to the people around us, mainly the women around us, and look for clues of violence before it's too late," Israel Professional Football Leagues Chairman Erez Kalfon said.
"Seventeen women have been murdered by weak, cowardly and violent men since the beginning of the year. These are our sisters. These are our daughters. And it's our responsibility," Kalfon added.
Eva Madjiboj, director of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women, said: "The IPFL initiative, led by Erez Kalfon, is an excellent example of a way civil society can effect change and be involved in an issue that really is a matter of life or death. The decision by these soccer teams to enlist on behalf of the fight against domestic violence gives me great hope."
