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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What do we need International Women's Day for anyway? That's a question I hear quite often, and truthfully, sometimes wrestle with myself. Then I find myself at some event where the panel is comprised entirely of men and remember all those times when I was the only woman in the room, the only female director in a room full of men. And so, unfortunately, the question is self-evident.

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The understanding there is a need for proponents and opponents of this day to work together in a partnership that tackles the important challenges we continue to face as a society and as a state leads me to understand that until the situation is rectified, we cannot relinquish this important day. Until we see diversity in the centers of influence, we cannot relinquish International Women's Day. Until we rein in the violence directed at women, in all its various forms, we cannot relinquish International Women's Day. The reality may be changing for the good, yet, disturbingly, various forums remain where no appropriate female representation can be found. This is disturbing because when the people at the table are diverse, and women are partners in the decision-making process, better decisions are made for both women and men. Therefore, I believe that one of our greatest challenges as a society, and mine as the president's wife, is to do everything in our power to promote women to key positions and act toward the full cooperation of women in accordance with their skills, education, and experience in all the corridors of power.

Yet even when glass ceilings are shattered, there are women who have the ground crumble beneath their feet and do not feel safe in their world. The deepest and most significant change will come only through an uncompromising, all-out war on violence toward women. This war must target physical violence first and foremost, but also emotional, financial, and verbal violence. We have all heard those who allow themselves to speak down to women in a way they would never dare to speak toward or next to men. The language used by public figures, influential people, and everyday people must change. The burden of bringing about change rests on us, the women at the centers of influence who must act for our sisters' benefit. Indeed, as the late social activist, Dr. Vicki Shiran argued: "The feminist consciousness is not easy for women." The challenge is also at our doorstep. We are the engine that must pull the train forward on the path to gender equality.

With all my heart, I hope that if we focus on all these issues and act together and effect change, who knows? Maybe then, we really won't need this day.

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The post Until there is true equality, we need International Women's Day appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.