Every year around International Women's Day there is renewed debate over whether we need it. Proponents usually say that when full gender equality is reached this day will be redundant. It seems that this year, unfortunately, there is no more doubt that this day is needed: The current political climate puts a worrying question mark on the status of women in society.
This is not just empty rhetoric, this is evident in our daily lives for us all to see. Every Israeli woman knows what it feels like to turn on the television or sit in some conference only to see a men-only panel discuss things with no woman in sight (or perhaps one woman).
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Everyone – men and women alike – must ask themselves what it means to have more than 50% of the population represented by a handful of women in positions as experts, decision-makers, and leaders. What does it mean for us and our children to witness this reality?
This is not our predestined fate; we can change this situation. Women will never assume a sufficient and sizable share of these positions if we don't actively find them and promote them. This can be done by private individuals but it must, at the very least, be complemented by or integrated with a much-wider initiative from the legislative or executive branches of government.
For the past decade or so, The Center for the Advancement of Women in the Public Sphere (WIPS) has been tracking the status of women in Israeli society through its Gender Index. In its reports, it shows how such efforts to advance women can make a dent. It showed that the proportion of women executives in boardrooms among publicly traded companies has reached 23% in Israel. Among government-owned entities, this reached 44% because of the law that mandated more inclusion. This clear difference makes it abundantly clear that the problem is not the lack of sufficiently qualified women, but rather a lack of willingness to seek them out in a proactive way beyond the obvious places.
Perhaps we can reach a breakthrough by having the government step in in some collaborative effort with the private sector. But the starting point must include a clear demand by Israelis for change, a demand to see that women get fully represented in every part of our daily lives. Israelis must demand that this include both "hard" measures such as legislation and enforcement, but also "soft" power such as reaching consensus, giving benefits, and investing in various projects. Israelis must demand that women are protected, that they are properly represented and not sidelined in every part of society. If we don't insist on this, reality will stagnate.
In a few months, Israelis will go to the polls to elect their local councils and mayors. This presents a great opportunity not just to issue demands – but also to show we mean it. I call upon all women to run in these elections so that they can impact the public sphere that shapes our day to day in so many ways. I call upon all parties to nominate women and give them the necessary backing that is often denied to women who seek public office, and which would make the difference between a successful bid and losing one.
Gender equality is not just a women's issue. In fact, men should feel connected to it on the same level. Gender equality is something that every viable, thriving and healthy democracy should seek. So long as we don't fight for it in unison and present demands together for us and our future generations, the day will not come.
We must fight for it, and allow me to say: We will fight for it. Together.
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