Histadrut Leaders Hail Women's Power at Na'amat Event
Leaders of the Histadrut labor federation celebrated the strength and achievements of women at a New Year event for Na'amat, Israel's largest women's organization. Hagit Pa'ar, chairwoman of Na'amat, emphasized the organization's ongoing efforts to open daycare centers and highlighted the "long struggle" ahead for women's rights. She assured attendees that Na'amat would continue to lead and advance women within the Histadrut.
Histadrut Chairman Arnon Bar-David praised Na'amat's potential to be Israel's leading women's movement, organizing working, retired, and young women. He stressed the importance of promoting their activities, particularly in advocating for fair wages and professionalizing the caregiver-educator role, which he noted has lost prestige. Bar-David highlighted the unique supportive nature of women and called for greater female representation in senior Histadrut positions, noting that women constitute 65% of the organization's membership. He pointed to recent wage reforms for educational support staff and psychologists, fields with many women, as significant achievements and called for equal pay across administrative roles.
Bar-David also expressed satisfaction with the close working relationship between the Histadrut and Na'amat, stating, "We are doing everything to ensure this partnership continues to develop." Deputy Chairman Roee Yaakov commended Na'amat's growing influence and economic power, contrasting their focus on "actions" with others' focus on "slogans." He expressed a vision of a future where gender equality is a given, not a topic of discussion.
Na'amat's CEO Dudu Bezalel acknowledged the challenges facing the organization but credited Pa'ar's leadership for its successes, noting the appointment of four female deputy CEOs and a new spokesperson within the Histadrut. Pa'ar reviewed Na'amat's past year and future plans, including a national women's conference, the expansion of the 'Mashnot' center for young women, a joint program with the Shin Bet on safety for victims of violence, and initiatives supporting female soldiers and northern residents. Other projects include promoting gender fairness in workplaces, encouraging girls in vocational schools for combat service, and supporting daycare providers. Na'amat also participated in a march in New York and ran a campaign for women voters in the Knesset elections.
