ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an updated profile of women in management and leadership positions in Israel and some of the challenges they face. To better understand women’s advances in this domain we also analyze the broader Israeli society and context, highlighting the socio-political, historical and cultural developments 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 labour force in Israel, and issues related to education. We then focus on three groups of women – managers, directors and entrepreneurs – as illustrations of the different challenges women face in the public, private and non-government organizations (NGO) spheres. The next section summarizes legislation and initiatives aimed at enhancing the role of women in the workforce. We conclude by considering the paradox of the duality of women’s opportunities in management given the persistent military conflict in Israel, and the duality that arises when regional traditional-familial roles and attitudes clash with the developed and westernized culture that coexists in the country.
