Delegation from Israel

Position Paper for the Commission on the Status of Women in Conflict Zones

The topics before the Commission of the Status of Women are: Women’s full and effective participation and
decision-making in public and political life; and Women's access to work and business. Israel recognizes
and attracts attention to the need for strong international cooperation to stabilize gender equality and
promote women's rights around the world.

I. Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public and political life

Gender inequality has affected societies around the world over the years. Inequality towards women has
been and continues to be a major problem for 21st century nations. Women are still limited in some
countries, they are politically and socially isolated, without fully benefiting from human rights. Crimes against
women, physical and sexual violence are still present in many states. To these are added the deprivation
of women from the right to education and inequality in the workplace. According to UNICEF, girls are 2.5
times more likely to be out of school than boys in countries affected by conflict. In areas such as the Middle
East, women face issues such as political and economic discrimination. According to data presented by the
UN, in 1911, only 2 of all the states in the world offered women the right to vote. At present this number is
practically ubiquitous.

Israel is currently known as one of the states with the greatest violations of women's rights. For example,
although in 2013, 48.3% of women in Israel were 13 years of age or older, compared to 45.4% of men, only
one in five Israeli teachers was a woman. Of course, this is a major increase over the past, but today women
are still discriminated against in academia. If we talk about Arabs, for example, women make up only 26.3%
of the workforce. Israel has shortcomings in encouraging women to work. If they were supported and
encouraged to work, we could reduce gender inequality and even introduce women to political and social
life. Removing obstacles to women's rights is not just a regional and national issue, but a global one. If
women were treated equally under human rights and the rule of law, we could reduce poverty, conflict,
improve the economy, politics, science, and many other areas. Gender inequality is not just about women,
it is a human issue that affects human rights, society, the economy, prosperity and global stability.

At present, we have come a long way in this matter. The United Nations has taken several actions in the
past and has managed to bring about considerable change. Adopted in 1979 by the UN Women's
Committee, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
serves as a global declaration of women's rights. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace
and Security reaffirmed the need and importance of including women in conflict resolution and compromise.
Subsequent resolutions on the same issue provide a major boost for women in conflict zones.

Although these programs have made great strides, there are still many obstacles to this issue. One problem
is the failure of many governments to identify the need for programs to strengthen women's equality,
considering that the laws currently adopted are sufficient. Another issue is religious diversity, which involves
different rules and patterns of women's behavior. Another problem that could be mentioned is the
vulnerability of women in areas affected by wars, terrorist attacks, etc., being often subjected to physical
and sexual violence.

We firmly believe that the United Nations could take steps to eliminate the causes of gender inequality. If
we can remove these obstacles, we will ensure that women have the chance to become free and equal
people, who can develop and manifest in any field. We want Israel to become a free and equal, prosperous
country in which everyone, regardless of gender, can feel free and progress in any branch.

Israel therefore suggests a three-pronged approach to addressing and mitigating this issue. The first is to
put in place and implement the budget for gender equality, as this will ensure the necessary expenditures.
The second direction is to perform gender analysis for the effects of documents and resolutions that would
allow the investigation of the effects of a law in force. The last direction is to establish penalties for inefficient
work in promoting and implementing equal gender rights by those responsible. The Israeli delegation also
believes that we need legislative reforms in order to fully promote women's political, social and economic
equality. We propose that the Commission on the Status of Women consider initiating peacekeeping
operations to protect women from crimes such as genocide and rape, especially in the conflict and post-
conflict regions. The Commission on the Status of Women should also consider setting up a subcommittee
to set up women's help centers in all states, especially those in conflict zones.
Thank you very much.

II. Women's access to work and business

Today, women are often treated as inferior or unskilled to hold some jobs like men. Discrimination and
current stereotypes hinder women in their full development. In some states and cultures, they are even
banned from working, or this is not encouraged. If we talk about Arabs, for example, women make up only
26.3% of the workforce. Israel has shortcomings in encouraging women to work. In Serbia, women are paid
up to 16% less than the average man. In Iran, some women were sent to prison just because they talked
about women's rights. In addition, there are regions or states where women are not allowed to open
businesses or hold management positions.

We can note, however, that countries that refuse to give women the fundamental right to work and
participate in business essentially reduce state profits, which is a major problem, especially for developing
countries

By giving women the right to create and run a business, we also ensure the creation of jobs for citizens, the
growth and improvement of the economy and therefore the prosperity of the nation. This problem persists
to a significant extent both in Israel and in other states, especially the Arab states, the Middle East and
some African states. Nations need to work together on this. Countries need to create and provide jobs for
both genders on an equal footing, and we, the United Nations, should monitor this process.

According to Professor Orly Sade of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, increasing the prevalence of
crowdfunding platforms can lead to a much greater increase in women's participation as project leaders or
business people. With some changes in legislation, women could even develop in male-dominated areas.
By providing women with enough money, we can provide them with the motivation and support they need
to pursue entrepreneurship and become a business woman.

I emphasize the importance of the UN taking into account the social aspects of this issue. According to the
traditions of some states, women are responsible for caring for their family, children, home, or access to
work for religious reasons. For a real change on this subject, these obstacles must be removed or
minimized.

I propose the following solutions for this: Unconditional access of women of any age to education and
providing support of any kind, financial, legislative and moral for it. I also urge the separation of church and
religion by the state and the political world, the separation of godly laws from those of the state. I would like
to emphasize once again the need to establish laws and regulations that give women access to work and
especially to leadership positions. Last but not least, I propose to hold seminars, presentations, events,
discussions with psychologists, etc. to be able to reduce stereotypes and to be able to develop a sense of
security, independence and equality for women.