Women Lead Major Public Systems, Why Not Government Ministries?
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Liron Doron Levi, the first female Director General of the Union of Local Authorities in Israel, argues for greater female leadership in government ministries. She points to the many capable women managing complex public systems in local government and other sectors. Levi believes their pragmatic and inclusive management style would benefit national ministries, citing past decisions where a female perspective might have led to better outcomes for citizens.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Liron Doron Levi is the first woman to lead the Union of Local Authorities in Israel since its founding.
- She advocates for more women in top government ministry roles, citing their success in local government.
- Levi criticizes the previous government for having only one female director general among 31 ministries.
- She highlights the pragmatic and inclusive management style of women leaders she has encountered.
- Levi believes women's perspectives are crucial for better decision-making that impacts citizens.
- She urges incoming ministers to seriously consider qualified women for leadership positions.
Liron Doron Levi, appointed Director General of the Union of Local Authorities in Israel in 2024, reflects on the significance of her position as the first woman to hold the role in the organization's 80-year history. While proud of this milestone, she notes the slow progress in female leadership within public institutions.
Levi highlights the recent election of 33 women to the 26th Knesset, expressing hope for increased female participation and advancement in political and public life. She anticipates these women will be appointed to key positions, including committee leadership and ministerial roles, should a government be formed.
She criticizes the previous government's record, where only one of 31 ministries was headed by a permanent female director general. Levi believes many qualified women could fill these roles, drawing on her experience encountering accomplished female leaders in local government, the business sector, and civil society. These women manage complex systems, large budgets, and make critical decisions impacting residents, often under challenging wartime conditions.
Levi praises the management style of these women, characterized by pragmatism, lack of ego, openness to new information, and a focus on considering the impact of decisions on all stakeholders. She recalls the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that female perspectives might have led to better consideration of families' needs when school openings were delayed on short notice.
She argues that the experience of these women leaders can significantly benefit the management of government ministries. Levi urges incoming ministers to recognize and seriously consider these women for leadership positions, emphasizing that their advancement is crucial for the country's progress, not just for women themselves.