Israel launches NIS 25 million initiative to close high-tech gender gap

The Israel Innovation Authority and the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry announced a NIS 25 million initiative to close the gender gap in high-tech. The funding will train senior female executives, integrate women into tech, help women return after long breaks, and reduce the wage gap. Women earn an average of NIS 23,000 per month versus NIS 33,000 for men, a 44% gap.

The Israel Innovation Authority and the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry announced a joint NIS 25 million initiative in mid-October 2026 to address gender gaps in Israel's high-tech industry. The funding will train senior female executives, integrate women into tech roles, help women return to work after long breaks, and reduce the gender wage gap. The initiative targets five challenges: advancing women into senior management, integrating highly educated women into deep-tech, helping experienced women return to the sector, supporting career advancement after maternity leave, and promoting gender equality within companies. The budget includes matching funds from private organizations and will be allocated to 15 programs. According to the IIA and the Labor Ministry, women in high-tech earn an average of NIS 23,000 per month compared to NIS 33,000 for men, a gap of about NIS 10,200 per month, with men's salaries roughly 44% higher. Labor Ministry Director-General Robi Shemesh said the programs aim to enable women to use their experience and skills to reintegrate into the labor market and advance to meaningful positions in knowledge-intensive industries.