ABSTRACT
In this chapter we present the current status of women in management and leadership positions in Israel. Although the advancement of women shows great progress, we present some of the challenges women holding elite positions face. To better understand women’s advances in this domain we analyze the broader Israeli society and context, highlighting the historical, cultural, and socio-political developments and challenges that have shaped the scope and nature of women’s representation in management. We begin with a description of recent trends in the women’s labor force in Israel, and issues related to education. We then focus on three groups of women – managers, directors, and entrepreneurs – to illustrate the different challenges women face in the public and private spheres. The next section summarizes local initiatives aimed at facilitating social change and enhancing the role of women in the workforce. We conclude by considering the paradox of the duality of women’s opportunities in management that arises when regional traditional-familial roles, norms, and expectations clash with the developed and Westernized culture, which both govern the Israeli society.
