Israel Promotes Empowerment of Women from Russian-Speaking Countries

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs through the Use of Information and Communication Technologies addresses the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

By: United with Israel Staff

Israel this month held a special seminar promoting gender equality and sustainable economic development for female professionals from Russian-speaking countries.

Held at the Golda Meir MASHAV Carmel Training Center (MCTC) in northern Israel , the course – Supporting Women Entrepreneurs through the Use of Information and Communication Technologies – addressed the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“Throughout the world, women have shown their commitment and ingenuity in seeking out or adapting new ways to improve their own lives, and thereby contribute to the well-being of their families and communities,” MASHAV stated.

The course was held in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Empowering Women Around the Globe

Israel periodically holds such courses for women around the world, most recently for women in Ghana.

Established in 1961 and later named after Israel’s first female prime minister, Golda Meir, MCTC works to assist in the training of women engaged in community work in the newly emerging states in Africa and Asia.

Since the establishment of MCTC, some 20,000 participants from over 150 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Oceania and the Caribbean have attended over 650 capacity-building programs and workshops and 29 international conferences for women leaders, conducted in Israel.

In addition, MCTC conducts between 20-30 institutional capacity-building programs in partner countries each year and for hundreds more trainees throughout the developing world.

MCTC focuses on three areas of study: Sustainable Community Development, Early Childhood Education and Entrepreneurship and Innovation, all with gender as a cross-cutting issue.

In each training program there are up to 30 women and men from 10 to 27 countries. Usually two workshops are conducted concurrently in different languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

MCTC enjoys the active cooperation of a number of international organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations and development authorities.

MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was founded in late 1957 and is responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the State of Israel’s development cooperation programs.

MASHAV concentrates on human and institutional capacity building by sharing Israel’s own development experience and expertise, implementing know-how and transferring innovative technologies and tested methodologies adaptable for developing country needs.