The Arab Women’s Leadership Network “Riyadiyat” emphasized the importance of turning the rise in educational attainment among Arab women into political and employment power. This message was delivered during the network’s second meeting, held last Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Mossawa Center in Haifa.

This position is based on data presented in a lecture by Dr. Maha Sabah-Karkabi titled: *“Palestinian Women in israel Between Society, Economy, and Politics: A Complex Process of Change.”*

Dr. Sabah-Karkabi pointed to the significant rise in the academic education level of Palestinian women in recent years. She noted that women constitute 68.4% of all first-degree holders among the Arab population in Israel, and 75.4% of those with a second degree, while among those with a third degree (PhD), their rate is lower, standing at 43.8%.

Conversely, the employment rate of Arab women remains relatively low, despite a gradual increase in recent years. In 2023, the employment rate among Arab women aged 25–64 stood at approximately 44.1%, compared to 77.3% among Arab men and 82.2% among Jewish women.

Dr. Sabah-Karkabi noted that these disparities stem from a variety of factors, including a lack of diversity in professional choices, a shortage of employment opportunities in Arab localities, and a traditional local labor market that does not align with the academic fields pursued by women.

As for the distribution of Arab women in the labor market, they are primarily concentrated in education, health, social services, and commerce, while the proportion of women in managerial positions does not exceed 3%—a figure that reflects the limitations on their access to decision-making roles in the labor market.

Suha Salman-Mousa, Executive Director of the Mossawa Center, stated that the changes in women’s life paths and various social factors have contributed to strengthening and developing the role of women in Arab society. Nevertheless, their presence remains limited in local politics and decision-making positions, with only 2% of women present in local authorities. She emphasized the urgent need for action on various levels—including public, community, media, and legislative—in order to raise the level of female representation in local politics and decision-making centers.

Dr. Karkabi pointed to several factors that contributed to the collapse of women's activism after the Nakba, among them the loss of land as a central source of livelihood—especially in the rural society that formed the overwhelming majority of Palestinian society. She also highlighted the dismantling of achievements attained by women through their social, political, and cultural organizations, and the loss of livelihood sources—particularly in education and medical professions—as a result of the Nakba and the collapse of the Palestinian labor market following the destruction of the economic structure and displacement.

Dr. Sabah-Karkabi also addressed the impact of military rule, surveillance mechanisms, structural exclusion, and the widening socio-economic gaps between Arabs and Jews. These processes led to the breakdown of the social fabric and the erosion of national identity, which negatively affected the status of Arab women in the public sphere. She emphasized that understanding the historical context contributes to analyzing the current situation of Arab women.

The question of possible action in light of these findings was discussed by leading women in a joint workshop, where they explored effective ways to influence both local and national policy.

Nibal Ardat, Head of the Policy Advancement Department at the Mossawa Center, presented data and cases from her activity repository in the legal and parliamentary advocacy unit over recent years, as well as the outcomes achieved.

The participants raised several proposals, including formulating a policy position paper to be submitted to a Knesset committee by the end of the year, and creating pressure on local authority leadership. Prominent among the proposals were: promoting and developing gender education in society, increasing the representation of women in decision-making positions, and tailoring gap-reduction programs to the specific needs of Arab women.

Dr. Rawda Morcos-Makhoul, Project Coordinator at the Mossawa Center, emphasized:
*"This meeting marks a pivotal moment in building an active women’s network on both the local and national levels, transitioning from diagnosis to policy formulation. We are not waiting for reality to change on its own—we are working to create tools for change based on collective female knowledge and experience. What was gathered today will be translated into parliamentary and institutional action and will constitute a step toward advancing the struggle of Arab women for justice, equality, and genuine participation in decision-making spheres."*

Yehudit Stelmach, Project Director at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, stated:
*"Women are half of society, yet they are still absent from positions of power. We cannot wait to be included—we must demand our rights and create change ourselves. Through this project, in which the Mossawa Center is joined by organizations such as ‘Yes – We Power,’ ‘Itach-Maaki,’ and ‘Nivcharot,’ we are working to ensure that the voices of women from diverse backgrounds are heard and that their needs are taken into account in shaping public policy. This is not a luxury—it is a necessity for building a more just society."*