Nostalgia Sunday – Working Women

May 3, 2009 - 4:40 PM by

They promised equality but didn’t deliver. The status of women in Israel has been discussed, researched, analyzed, and — if you look through the Labor Movement image archive, categorized, too. Under the heading “Women Workers” are photos of women standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in the field…
women_field_workers

…but also rattling those pots and pans…
women_kitchen_workers

…and fulfilling other traditional women’s roles.
first_childrens_house

The ideal of women, standing alongside their brothers in arms, was usually just that.
mapam_border_defense_poster

Just as often, images of women’s work had something to do with an apron…
histadrut_election_poster

…in a poster that is spookily reminiscent of this ad for laundry soap!
ama-ad

women_voter_blessing_posterDespite its ambivalence, Labor Zionism always recognized the power of the female voter — “Who brings a blessing upon the family and the nation”.

Through organizations like the Israel Women’s Network (IWN), Israel’s foremost non-profit organization dedicated to women’s equality and rights, things are slowly beginning to improve. IWN has initiated laws such as the Sexual Harassment Prevention Law of 1998, the 2005 law establishing a Commission for Equal Employment Opportunities; fought discrimination in the workplace; helped women who have been refused divorce and/or custody; aided victims of sex trafficking — and there is much more to do.

Tags: , , , , , , , , • Category: General, History and Culture, Nostalgia Sunday 

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