These positions seek to roll back a basic conception of civic equality, and challenge the very presence of women in public spaces while ignoring, for example, the heroism of many women on October 7.<\/p>\n
Inadequate representation<\/p>\n
This same worldview is also reflected in the government\u2019s continuous failure to appoint women to key positions in civil services.<\/p>\n
This is despite legislation and unequivocal judicial rulings requiring adequate representation. In fact, ever since the court ruled that the government is violating the law by failing to appoint women as directors general, eight male directors general have been appointed.<\/p>\n
In this context, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that these measures signal not only a lack of meaningful commitment to women\u2019s equal participation but also appear to reflect a view that the public sphere is not a natural place for women.<\/p>\n
This picture is further reinforced by legislation that significantly broadens and normalizes already problematic forms of gender segregation in academic institutions, as well as Knesset conferences dealing with the \u201cpreservation of women\u2019s modesty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reshaping boundaries<\/p>\n
These steps no longer appear marginal or technical; they express an attempt to reshape the boundaries of women\u2019s legitimacy in the public sphere, returning them to defined and restricted roles.<\/p>\n
These trends are not unique to Israel. In countries such as Hungary, Romania, and Croatia, struggles for gender equality that had already gained public and institutional recognition have, in recent years, been replaced by conservative discourse emphasizing the \u201ctraditional\u201d family and the importance of women\u2019s historical role in the home. The regression in women\u2019s representation is part of a broader process of ideological change.<\/p>\n
There has been a regression in women\u2019s representation in Israeli politics; the upcoming election offers an opportunity to reverse this trend and strengthen democracy. (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s representation is a fundamental principle of liberal democracy, in which all sectors of society are represented. This is because the legitimacy of democratic decision-making depends on the inclusion of all parts of society in positions of power and authority.<\/p>\n
And in the context of democratic backsliding, we see women\u2019s roles in the public sphere come increasingly under question as institutions that protect women\u2019s rights \u2013 courts, government bodies tasked with advancing equality, and civil society organizations \u2013 are themselves under attack.<\/p>\n
In the current political and social context, particularly since the outbreak of the current war, the issue of gender equality has been pushed even farther down the public agenda. Even among groups that support gender equality, there is a noticeable tendency to concede that it is a secondary issue in times of crisis, which undoubtedly deepens existing gaps.<\/p>\n
Some argue that since there are women who do not advance gender equality \u2013 and even act to undermine women\u2019s rights \u2013 equal representation isn\u2019t the answer to protecting women\u2019s rights; policy is the answer. But this argument misses the point. Representation is a necessary but insufficient condition for advancing women\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n
First, the very existence of women with different \u2013 or sometimes opposing \u2013 views does not diminish the value of equal representation. Second, studies show that even with some women working against equal representation, women do, in fact, advance more legislation related to equality in the Knesset.<\/p>\n
Thus the struggle for representation does not replace the struggle for equitable policy. Rather, the two complement each other. One should not assume that the mere presence of women will lead to equality; but in the absence of representation, the chances of this happening are significantly lower.<\/p>\n
No equality<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the upcoming general election, the picture is not pretty. As always, there are no women in the ultra-Orthodox parties<\/a>, and none are expected to be. In the rest of the political system, not a single party is led by a woman, and most parties have yet to commit to equal representation on their candidate lists.<\/p>\n