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WePower is an apolitical nonprofit organization established in 2000 to promote the representation of women in decision-making positions in Israel, particularly in the public and political sectors. WePower’s mission is to achieve equal representation of women and men around decision-making tables to build a more equal society. As the first nonprofit in Israel focused on promoting women to public and political positions of influence, WePower advances gender equality at all levels of society. Since its establishment, WePower has worked with thousands of women, many of whom have assumed political leadership positions at the community, municipal, and national levels.
WePower collaborates nationwide with governmental ministries, local government centers, academic institutions, municipalities, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. Our activities center on identifying and empowering potential women leaders, preparing them for leadership positions through training, promoting gender-aware legislation to break down barriers, and overall benefitting society by increasing gender equality. WePower works with all social groups in Israel, offering a wide range of practical tools and knowledge through courses, lectures, workshops, individual consultations, and more. Through our gender-focused approach, we encourage women to become involved in local leadership and politics in their communities, to achieve the equal distribution of budget and resources to address the needs of women and men.
To raise public awareness of the gender gap and promote equality of opportunities in the public and political sectors, WePower offers professional seminars and conferences, runs public awareness campaigns, and develops methods to measure gender equality.
To reduce gender inequality in decision-making forums, WePower advocates for legislation promoting equal representation in decision-making positions, participates in legislative discussions, and monitors government and public committee decisions.
WePower provides women and men with training programs and support circles, in which they are presented with models of success, thereby encouraging more women to be present in decision-making positions. We also operate a nationwide networking community for influential women around Israel.
of the current women MKs are WePower graduates
of the women leading local authorities are WePower graduates
Over 80% of the graduates of WePower’s School for Politics program ran in the municipal elections in 2018.
WePower graduates ran for leadership positions in local authorities during the 2018 municipal elections
One-quarter of WePower’s graduates have run for public positions
WePower has promoted three bills regarding representation and gender equality in Israel, such as the law ensuring increased funding for political parties with over 30% women representation within the framework of the Political Parties Funding Law.
As a result of training thousands of women for public leadership and social activism, the number of women holding key positions in local authorities has increased ten-fold.
WePower’s nationwide training network that employs a unique, integral model to advance women to public, political, and management roles has trained over one hundred cohorts from the Upper Galilee to Eilat.
WePower was granted consultative status to the UN’s ECOSOC regarding gender equality in 2017
The latest international research conducted by the UN showed that the current rate of progress regarding gender equality worldwide is so slow that we will only reach gender equality 286 years from today. The same report from 2017 estimated it would take 100 years to achieve gender equality, indicating growth in inequality in recent years. In Israel, gender measures show no improvement regarding equality of income, occupation, and representation in key positions.
A report by the Israel Democracy Institute published following the 2013 elections concluded that women are not sufficiently represented in Israeli politics, with no women present in multiple parties – in particular in parties representing ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities. Compared to many other countries, the situation in Israel is bleak – according to the Women in National Parliaments Classification (March 2013), Israel is ranked number 64 worldwide and is in 20th place out of the 34 OECD countries. In local politics, the situation is increasingly severe in certain social sectors.
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The percentage of women in the 24th Knesset (30 out of 120)
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The percentage of women elected to positions in local authorities
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The percentage of women serving as the heads of local authorities
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The percentage of women holding director positions at public companies
Meet
Our
Team
Shiran Shushan
Head of content development and operations, manager of the ‘Forwards, After You” program
Shiran holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in conflict management and resolution from Bar Ilan University. She is a mediator, mentor, and group facilitator.
Shiran has rich experience in local government authorities, teaching, and community building.
For 11 years, Shiran worked at a local government authority and in the facilitation of mediation groups.
“To ensure things happen tomorrow, we must act today”
Sharon Brand
Spokeswoman
Sharon Brand is WePower’s spokeswoman and manages the organization’s PR, branding, and communications.
Sharon holds a Bachelor’s degree in education specializing in mathematics and computers and has spent the last 15 years as a PR and communications consultant for multiple companies and organizations. Sharon manages WePower’s communications strategy by creating synergy between new media and brand communications. Sharon has rich experience in building communications strategies and writing and editing content, and serves as a content editor for Wikipedia Israel.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Meet the
The Board
of Directors
Founder and President
Michal Yodin, founder and president of WePower, served as a captain in the Israel Defense Forces and represented the Jewish Agency for Israel in the US between 1969 and 1971. Upon return to Israel, Michal supervised the Central District’s religious educational institutions for girls.
In 1979, Michal represented the Ministry of Aliyah in Manhattan and Queens, New York, where she advanced a program for college-age students and assisted potential Olim to Israel. In 1990, Michal became the head of the immigrant absorption department of WIZO Israel.
Four years later, Michal was selected to lead WIZO’s committee for the advancement of women in politics, and in 2000, she established WePower.
Founder and Chairwoman
Orit has been part of WePower’s management since its establishment.
As a social entrepreneur, Orit is the founder and chairwoman of the Forum for Council Members for local government representatives. Orit manages businesses in Israel and abroad and serves on the board of directors for private, commercial, and governmental companies – including the NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System. Orit is a senior lecturer at the Academic Center for Law and Science, where she teaches Regulation in City and District Planning.
Orit is a member of multiple government committees, including the Search Committees for Deputy Attorney Generals, the Firearms Licensing Committee, and the I’billin Appointed Committee. Orit has previously run for mayor in Herzliya, where she is a former member of the regional council and currently serves as the chairwoman of the building and planning committee.
Suzi Bar
Board Member
Helen is a lawyer and CEO of H.G Book Ltd and served on the city council of Ashdod for 14 years. In addition to her law degree, Helen holds a degree in politics, government, and criminology. Helen is an active member of the Forum for Council Members, currently serving as the legal advisor, and previously served as the focal point for community centers, youth, special needs education, and early childhood. Helen served as the chairwoman of the fight against addiction and the nonprofit campaigning for the reduction of city tax in local authorities. For over twenty years, Helen has been active in the movements for quality leadership and governance, and advancing women’s representation in local government.
Helen Gelber
Board Member
Helen is a lawyer and CEO of H.G Book Ltd and served on the city council of Ashdod for 14 years. In addition to her law degree, Helen holds a degree in politics, government, and criminology. Helen is an active member of the Forum for Council Members, currently serving as the legal advisor, and previously served as the focal point for community centers, youth, special needs education, and early childhood. Helen served as the chairwoman of the fight against addiction and the nonprofit campaigning for the reduction of city tax in local authorities. For over twenty years, Helen has been active in the movements for quality leadership and governance, and advancing women’s representation in local government.
Dafna Manor
Board Member
With 25 years of experience as an educator, Dafna manages the middle school of HaKfar HaYarok (Green Village). Dafna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and education and a master’s Degree in education management and is a board member of the Youth Movement for Environmental Leadership at HaKfar HaYarok. In addition, Dafna leads change and improvement processes in the distribution center for environmental leadership in schools and higher education.
Vered Swid
Board Member
Vered holds a Bachelor’s Degree in social work from Tel Aviv University. Vered served was a member of Netanya’s city council between 1993-2003, holding numerous roles including the focal point for tourism and chairwoman of the bidding committee. Vered was the first woman to serve as the mayor of Netanya, and Israel’s second woman to be elected mayor. At the Prime Minister’s office, Vered served as a consultant on matters of social and welfare affairs under three Prime Ministers and led the authority to promote women’s status. Today, Vered works for the Ministry of Housing.
Visionary Partner – Hadassah Foundation
The Visionary Partner grant goes to trusted past grantees whose missions align with the Hadassah Foundation’s and whose work is especially timely.
WePower, based in Israel, and JWI (Jewish Women International), based in the US, were awarded the prestigious Visionary Partner grant in 2022.
This grant offers unrestricted funding to organizations that promote gender equality in Israel and the United States. The Foundation relies on Visionary Partner grantees for their advice and expertise and seeks to encourage partnerships and networking among their leaders.
Our Partners
