What Israel’s Campaign to End Prostitution Teaches Us About Women Leaders
Over the course of decades, a determined coalition of Israeli women legislators found common ground to pass new legislation on prostitution.
By experts and staff
- Published
- Guest Blogger for Women Around the World
This blog post is authored by Rebecca Hughes, research associate in the women and foreign policy program
On August 5 th Shaked took the unusual step of convening the Ministerial Committee for Legislation during recess to consider legislation that would fine sex buyers and expand health and rehabilitation services for people engaged in prostitution. The committee unanimously approved the proposed bill, which will go before parliament when it reconvenes in October. If passed, Israel will join the ranks of nations that have adopted the Nordic Model, which include Sweden, Canada, Iceland, and Norway.
The path to this point has been difficult. In an op-ed written for the Times of Israel, Lavie noted that of all the issues she has dealt with throughout her career, “ none have sparked such resistance and heated responses ” as this. Yet, advocates and legislators alike are confident that the government-sponsored bill will pass. “The work in the field was fearless and there has been a real change in parliament’s perception of this issue,” Tzur Ben-Moshe explained. “We are finally at a tipping point.”