When Israel claimed statehood in 1948, and their Declaration of Independence guarantees “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race, or sex,” making it one of the earliest governments in the world to explicitly recognize gender in its guarantee of equality in social and political spheres. Three years later, the Women’s Equal Rights Law was passed, extending gender parity under the law and improving the status of women in society. In 1969 Golda Meir, who played a key role in the establishment of Israel’s statehood, was elected prime minister making her Israel’s first and the world’s third female prime minister. Progressive gender laws and public policy, as well as women’s increased participation in the labor force, signaled a country-wide commitment to gender equality. However, religious law and cultural traditions, particularly regarding women, have complicated these advancements. Gender segregation remains an issue with women being suppressed and excluded due to tensions between secular and religious public life. Advocacy groups, like the Israel Women’s Network and the Israel Religious Action Center, are fighting to ensure gender equality laws are upheld and legislation is passed to maintain the country’s democratic principles and commitments.
Women have equal opportunity to participate in sports, but with limited investment and gender stereotypes, sports participation among women and girls remains much lower than their male cohorts. In 2019, after a group of female footballers, “Female Football Players Make a Change,” demanded the Israeli Sports Ministry invest in the women’s game, equal state funding was awarded to female sports teams in Israel. This movement has led to a shift in the culture and more attention paid to the development of women’s sports in Israel.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Israel:
Daphna Goldschmidt
Karin Sendel
How does Israel compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
24%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
19%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
Golda Meir, 1969- 1974
Dalia Itzik, 2007-2007
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Limor Livnat, 2009-2015
Miri Regev, 2015-2020
Title IX Timeline
1948
The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14. Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
1952
Leah Horowitz, Tamar Metal, and Olga Winterberg became the first women to represent Israel in the Olympics.
1960
Angel Mati became the first woman to represent Israel in the Paralympics and win a Paralympic medal (silver – swimming).
1969
Golda Meir became the first female Prime Minister of Israel.
1980
Israel signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1991
Israel ratified CEDAW.
1992
Yael Arad won a silver medal in judo to become the first woman from Israel to win an Olympic medal.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
4
-
11
-
4
-
12
-
13
-
51
-
48
-
35
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
20
-
20
-
13
-
9
-
13
-
23
-
18
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1952
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2002
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Yael Arad: 1992, Judo (Silver)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1960
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Angel Mati: 1960, Swimming (Silver)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1997
Pay Gap Comparison
Equal Pay as of 2019
Gender Initiatives
Israel’s Women’s Premier League had 10 different clubs in the 2020/21 season.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
For More Information
FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1950
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
Israel Softball Association
