ISO: ISR *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN STATE OF ISRAEL Statement by ORA NAMIR, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Presented at the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, People's Republic of China, 6-14 September 1995 Madame Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the United Nations and, in particular, to Mrs. Mongella, Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women, for their efforts in preparing this conference. I would also like to thank the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Beijing for their warm hospitality. As Head of the Israeli delegation to this Conference, I am confident that we will succeed in attaining the goals set out in our agenda: reducing economic and social gaps between women and men in education, work, income, and health; rooting out discrimination and violence against women and children in our societies. In Israel we are convinced that the challenge of equal rights for women can be met by social and economic legislation, strengthened by social services to protect the rights of women and children. Our Declaration of Independence raised the banner of equal rights as well as equal obligations for women and men. As an example, military service is compulsory for women, as it is for men. Discrimination was recognized as a violation of basic human rights. It is my firm belief that a woman's most basic biological role - child bearing -creates an a priori inequality, defined by nature. Throughout their life cycle women perform two or three full-time jobs at the same time: FIRST, managing the home and caring for children; SECOND, working outside the home; THIRD, taking part in public and political activities. I refuse to accept, and fail to understand, the definition of women as the "weaker sex." The more correct term would be the "stronger sex." We must change this image by strengthening and providing women with the means to succeed in their various roles. We can only begin to achieve equality through affirmative action. Fellow Colleagues, 50.4 % of Israel's population are women. 45% of the labor force are women, a proportion which has doubled since 1960 and is constantly growing; Israel leads in women's accomplishments in higher education: over 50% of university students completing first and second degrees are women. One-third of our judges and public prosecutors are women. However, although 60% of the public sector are women, they hold only 1 1% of senior positions. 47% of employed women work part-time. Sporadic and part-time employment prevent women' s advancement to higher positions and involvement in public decision-making. In spite of many obstacles, we in Israel are engaged in an ongoing struggle to convince women to enter public and political life. Ladies and Gentlemen, Israel has made much progress in legislation to promote the status of women. Women and men have equal status in all areas except marriage and divorce. To my regret, there is no separation between State and Religion in our country. This creates a major problem for women in personal status law. Israeli law forbids: - discrimination in job advertising, hiring, training, promotion and firing. - sexual harassment. - firing organized or non-organized women workers during pregnancy and maternity leave. Our law guarantees: - equal pay for equal work. - adequate representation on public boards of directors - the right of women to continue working and accumulate pension rights up to age 65, beyond the official retirement age of 60. - Minimum wages to low wage earners, many of whom are women. - Our social security system provides: universal child allowances, national health insurance, maternity leave with pay, birth and hospitalization grants, benefits for-single-parent families, and a basic alimony benefit to divorcees. Whoever thinks that legislation alone can change the status of women is mistaken. More intensive enforcement of existing laws, affirmative action, and supportive services are essential. Dear Colleagues, In a modern society it is inconceivable that women could live under private dictatorships, victims of violence in their own homes. We have tripled the number of shelters for battered women in three years and have established centers for the prevention of violence in the family throughout the country. For the first time, violent men will be sent to rehabilitation centers. Ladies and Gentlemen, My vision for the future is full integration of women in Israel's society and economy: - entry of women into traditionally male occupations. - expanded vocational and technological training for women. - enforced equal pay for equal work. - more day-care centers and higher subsidies for working mothers. - insurance of housewives to an old-age pension, recognizing the economic value of their work. - full-time employment in order to advance women to higher positions and greater involvement in political life. On this platform, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to women's organizations in Israel for their long-standing commitment to women. Women's organizations have been especially active in developing day-care centers and services for women and girls in distress. Our success in improving the status of women, depends on the cooperation and full partnership of women's organizations and other non-governmental organizations. As a society of immigrants and two national groups, Jewish and Arab, our women are a multi-cultured group. We continue to call for solidarity, mutual respect and greater equality for all sectors of women in our society. Although a great deal has been accomplished, much work is still ahead. Ladies and Gentlemen, This Conference is taking place at a time when the Middle East is in the midst of a historical process of peace. This is a difficult road we travel, with many obstacles along the way. However, the dialogue must move forward. The sides must reach constructive compromises, and replace distrust with a collective hope for peace. Peace means an end to agony, suffering and mourning. Peace means a promise to Israeli mothers, and to Palestinian mothers, that their children will no longer die in wars. Peace means that countries of the Middle East will be able to divert their human energies and economic resources away from conflict, and towards better education, improved health, economic development, full employment for men and women, and mutual cultural enrichment. Peace is the future of our children. It is our hope that the international community, and mostly, women all over the world, will continue their support for the success of peace.