Flawed Democracy: Half the Population Represented Insignificantly in Government | Liora Minka

Liora Minka argues that women's representation in the government and Knesset is severely lacking, especially in the current coalition parties. She presents statistical data on the percentage of women in realistic slots on various lists, warning that the absence of meaningful female representation harms democracy and public policy.

Liora Minka argues in an opinion piece that women's representation in the government and Knesset is severely lacking, particularly in the current coalition parties. She presents statistical data on the percentage of women in realistic slots on various lists ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset: about 50% in the Democrats list, about 48% in Yashar, about 46% in BeYachad, and about 33% in Yisrael Beiteinu, compared to about 13% in Likud, about 17% in Religious Zionism-Zehut, about 25% in Otzma Yehudit, while Shas and United Torah Judaism have no women at all. Minka warns that if the current coalition forms the next government, the number of women around the decision-making table will be even smaller. She emphasizes that women's representation is not a symbolic matter, and that their absence from centers of power affects the public agenda, children's education, the promotion of equality, welfare, health, and personal security. According to her, the presence of women committed to an egalitarian agenda prevents phenomena of women's exclusion and helps weaken gender stereotypes. Minka concludes that a democracy in which half the population is represented insignificantly is a flawed democracy.