Haredi strictly-Orthodox women – traditionally excluded from public and political life – have formed their own party to run in Israel’s upcoming elections.
“U’Bezchutan [By Their Own Merit]: Haredi Women Making Change,” is the first political party specifically for Haredi women. Founder and social activist Ruth Colian describes the party, under whose banner she will run, as representing all women who are struggling against Israel’s religious establishment – all women, not exclusively those in the strictly-Orthodox community. She will present and discuss the background leading to the formation of the party, its goals and platform, and women’s place in Israeli Haredi society in general.