Israel Launches $6.7 Million Initiative to Bridge Gender Pay Gap in Tech
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israel's Ministry of Labor and the Israel Innovation Authority are investing approximately 25 million shekels in 15 new programs to reduce the gender pay gap and increase female representation in high-tech leadership roles. The initiative aims to address challenges including training, career advancement after maternity leave, and combating ageism. Women in Israeli tech currently earn about 44% less than men, highlighting a significant disparity that the government seeks to rectify. This effort builds on previous investments aimed at diversifying the tech workforce.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel is investing 25 million shekels in 15 new programs to close the gender pay gap in its high-tech industry.
- Women in Israeli tech earn an average of 23,000 shekels monthly, compared to men's 33,000 shekels.
- The initiative targets training, career advancement after maternity leave, and promoting women to leadership roles.
- Officials cite underrepresentation and pay disparities as significant barriers to Israel's innovation potential.
- The program aims to help women utilize their skills and re-enter or advance in the tech sector.
The Israeli government, through the Ministry of Labor and in partnership with the Israel Innovation Authority, has launched a new initiative with an investment of approximately 25 million shekels (around $6.7 million) to address the significant gender pay gap and underrepresentation of women in key positions within the high-tech industry. The program will fund 15 new projects aimed at tackling five core challenges: training women in deep tech industries, promoting women to CTO and VP of Technology roles, facilitating the return of women to tech professions after career breaks, advancing women professionally after maternity leave, and embedding organizational processes for gender equality.
The initiative stems from persistent disparities in both representation and salary between men and women in the tech sector. On average, women in Israeli high-tech earn about 23,000 shekels per month, compared to men's average of 33,000 shekels, a difference of approximately 10,200 shekels monthly, with men earning about 44% more than women.
Robi Shemesh, Director General of the Ministry of Labor, highlighted the need to adapt to a diverse and inclusive workforce, noting that employment rates decline for both men and women after age 50, with ageism being a significant barrier. He emphasized the ministry's efforts to expand opportunities for older workers and leverage their experience, stating that the new programs are designed to help women utilize their skills and re-enter the workforce in significant information technology roles.
Hanan Brand, Vice President of Start-ups at the Israel Innovation Authority, stressed that Israel's continued global leadership in tech depends on maximizing its human capital. He pointed out that women face substantial career obstacles, from entering tech roles to achieving leadership positions, and that Israel cannot afford to neglect half of its innovation potential. Brand added that the goal is not just to increase the number of women in tech but to ensure they can build meaningful careers, advance, and lead groundbreaking companies, viewing this as a crucial economic and technological interest for the nation.
This initiative follows a similar effort in August 2023, prior to the October 7th attacks, where the Israel Innovation Authority and the Ministry for Social Equality invested 18 million shekels in programs to boost the high-tech workforce through entrepreneurs from the Arab community and women.
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