Our Vision

The Forum for Gender, Law, and Policy was established with the goal of changing the landscape of feminist legal research and activism in Israel. The Forum serves as a unique academic platform for the advancement of research, instruction, legal training, community outreach, and public policy initiatives related to gender inequality

The Forum is co-chaired by Prof. Noya Rimalt and Prof. Shulamit Almog of the Faculty of Law at the University of Haifa. Both are renowned experts in feminist legal theory and gendered analysis of law and society

The Forum has led several initiatives for legal reform in Israel, including a proposed comprehensive amendment to the abortion law that would recognize a woman’s right to end an unwanted pregnancy, a new law that criminalizes the client in prostitution activities to empower girls and enhance awareness of girls’ rights, and policy research and action to promote gender equality in the labor market

?What is Unique about the Forum for Gender, Law, and Policy at the Haifa Faculty of Law

Integration of feminist theory and practice

The Forum for Gender Law and Policy stands at the forefront of the campaign for women’s rights and gender equality in Israel, using academic knowledge to promote change. The Forum is the only academic-based framework in Israel that addresses a broad range of gender inequality issues in Israel and contributes to socially impactful results, through the dual focus on law and feminist activism

Broad base of gender research

Of all law faculties in Israel, the Faculty of Law at the University of Haifa has the largest number of faculty members who are engaged in the critical study of law and gender and society. Together with Prof. Noya Rimalt and Prof. Shulamit Almog, this team of researchers produces critical knowledge on the root causes and consequences of gender inequality in Israel

Social setting and local support

Diversity characterizes both the city of Haifa and the University of Haifa’s student body and faculty, which have been home to the grassroots feminist movement since the early 1970s. Since then, Haifa has become a vibrant center for feminist organizations where Jewish and Arab women join forces to promote gender equality. The Forum for Gender, Law, and Policy works closely with many of these organizations to bridge the gap between feminist theory and feminist activism, and make instrumental use of research to promote policy aims

Our Goals

Law and society are interconnected, mutually constituting one another. With this understanding in mind, the Forum for Gender, Law, and Policy aims to bring together the significant feminist legal work and research taking place in Israel and the policy actions of government, to initiate reforms advancing gender equity in Israel

:The Forum’s efforts are directed at advancing a detailed gender agenda by

Promoting legal reform

Advancing gender-related  research, teaching, and instruction

Initiating and sponsoring projects that connect feminist theory and activism action

Promoting public debate on gender inequality with various stakeholders and partners including government officials, legislators, academic scholars, and feminist NGOs in Israel and around the world