A comprehensive survey conducted by the Emunah religious Zionist women's movement, found that only 18 percent of the members of the country's religious councils are women and the vast majority of those women are lone representatives on their councils. None were appointed by the religious-services minister. In 84 out of 129 religious councils there is no representation of women and in all the religious councils there is no woman serving as chairwoman.
The figures were presented this week at a conference held by Emunah in the Knesset, together with the Women's Forum of the Jewish Home Party and Member of Knesset Shuli Moalem-Refaeli, who called on women to run for key positions, including the chair of religious councils.