Girls giving birth to children. Where was the state?

An opinion piece by attorney Ayelet Razin Beit Or examines the phenomenon of underage mothers in Israel, focusing on data from Yavne'el: 95 babies were born to underage mothers between 2000 and 2025. The author asks where the state was and rejects the claim that the girls are invisible to welfare and health systems.

An opinion piece by attorney Ayelet Razin Beit Or, an expert on gender equality, addresses the phenomenon of underage mothers in Israel, focusing on data from Yavne'el: 95 babies were born to underage mothers between 2000 and 2025, some as young as 15. The author asks where the state was when these girls became mothers, noting that they are not invisible to the health, education, and welfare systems. The article references testimonies before the Knesset Committee for the Advancement of Women's Status, chaired by MK Meirav Cohen, and raises questions about the state's responsibility to identify risk situations and protect girls from forced marriages. The author calls for a detection and prevention system, training for staff, and enforcement of the law, noting that an inter-ministerial committee has already recommended steps but the question is who is responsible for implementation.

Girls giving birth to children. Where was the state?