Women to be focus of Israel's Independence Day celebrations
Celebrations to highlight women's contribution to science, culture, economics, security, education, public service and more.
By LAHAV HARKOVMinister of Culture and Sport Limor Livnat picture(photo credit: Meged Gozni)
The theme of 2014’s Independence Day celebrations will be “Time for Women,” the Ministerial Committee for Symbols and Ceremonies decided Sunday.Committee chairwoman Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat, who proposed the theme for the 66th anniversary, saying she thinks it is “appropriate and important and will increase public awareness of women’s progress and achievements in recent years, as well as the many challenges we [as women] will continue to face until we become a truly egalitarian country.”Many women had a positive influence on Israel’s development as a country and society, Livnat added, and the time has come to show gratitude and give them an official platform.Independence Day celebrations are to focus on women’s contributions to science, culture, economics, security, education, society, the environment, public service and more, and women are to light the torches during the official government ceremony.Education Minister Shai Piron said that schools will teach the topic.Livnat expressed hope that “emphasizing women on Independence Day will help with the battle against wage gaps in the private and public sectors; the fight against the glass ceiling that keeps quality women from reaching senior positions in academia and the market; the struggle to grant equal opportunities and representation and against violence toward women.”
