Equal rights between the sexes is enshrined in Israel's Declaration of Independence and supported by extensive legislation. However, discriminatory practices against women still persist in nearly every sphere of Israeli life: the workplace, the Israel Defense Forces, religious courts, health services and educational establishments—even in the public service arena.

Despite legislation mandating equal pay for equal work, the average wage gap between men and women for full time, year-round employment exceeds 30 percent.

Even more basic, women unable to find employment in Israeli society cannot financially assist in supporting their families, oftentimes resulting in a critically low standard of living, and trapping them in a cycle of poverty. For those who can find employment, most are confined to labor intensive and low-paying occupations. If fact, over 70 percent of the minimum wage earners in Israel are women. These are statistics from the general population. Immigrant women have an even harder time securing employment and have the least access to training opportunities.

Building a new life in Israel is especially challenging for immigrants from underdeveloped parts of the world, such as Ethiopia and Bukhara. Beyond acculturation and language difficulties, many of these women have no previous work experience outside the home and are unaccustomed to a modern market economy and Israeli social norms. Without intensive assistance, especially in the context of today's environment, they will remain on the fringes of Israel's workforce—and society.

The Knesset, the Israeli government, the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Woman, and numerous NGOs are acting to improve conditions for poor women and families. At the Jewish Agency, we have implemented a number of programs to empower Israeli women from different ethnic, cultural, religious and social-economic backgrounds, including:

ISHA: ISRAEL HEALTH ADVANCEMENT FOR WOMEN

ISHA (Hebrew for Woman; acronym of ISrael Health Advancement for Women) is a vital initiative launched in 2001 by the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland and the Jewish Agency as a dynamic model for change. It is a unique multi-organizational, international program which brings together and trains primary care physicians and health professionals, lay leaders, women health advocates, academics and researchers in partnership with major organizations to significantly advance women's health in all sectors of society in Israel.

ISHA programs include:

• Women Leadership for Health Promotion in the Community

• National Continuing Medical Education on Women's Health for Primary Care Physicians

• Promoting Community and Consumer Awareness

• Advancing Women's Health Issues in the Army (to be implemented)

KADIMA: ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR HIGH RISK SINGLE-MOTHER IMMIGRANTS

KADIMA is a holistic approach to empowering non-working mothers, especially new immigrants, who are heading single-parent households. Kadima creates a support group for single parent mothers that will provide social support, an informational network and promote both greater self-reliance and better parenting skills. Often without families, these immigrant and single-mothers lack support from outside families and friends to help them with everyday chores and balance their working and personal lives. Through workshops and seminars, Kadima enables participants to overcome employment difficulties and, where applicable, to establish and operate small businesses by teaching business savvy, employable skills and other professional behavior. Kadima forms a close-knit network of single-mothers, which also encourages their interpersonal relationships, integrates them into their communities, and fosters stronger support networks. Many practical problems will also be dealt with, including meetings with lawyers to ensure that these women are aware of their legal rights, meetings with municipal representatives to learn about their entitlements and professional sessions on the physical and emotional issues of childcare and childrearing.

For further information please contact: frd@jafi.org