In first, National Security Council report blasts lack of women in decision-making roles

The National Security Council has for the first time put together a report criticizing the lack of women in decision-making roles, particularly positions related to emergencies, The Times of Israel’s Hebrew-language sister site, Zman Yisrael, reports.

The 60-page document, handed in recent days to National Security adviser Eyal Hulata, recommends passing legislation guaranteeing a female representation of at least 33 percent in the high-level security cabinet and the ministerial committee on the coronavirus pandemic.

It also recommends turning the ministerial committee on gender equality into a permanent committee.

“A lack of attentiveness and awareness of gender issues is leading to severe and disproportionate harm to women in Israel,” the report says.

Its drafting was prompted by the lack of women in Israel’s initial decision-making panel on the coronavirus pandemic shortly after it reached Israel. The first such team put together by the National Security Council in April 2020 included 29 men and only two women, sparking an outcry that led to the inclusion of more women later.