Public Opinion Survey on Representation of Women in Influential Roles Part I

A survey on women’s representation conducted among men and women in Israel. Findings show that most (65%) consider equal representation when deciding on which party to vote for; 71% think the number of women in the Knesset, the government and in senior positions should be increased.

Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90

About the Survey and the Sample

This survey was prepared by IDI’s Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, together with the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research at the Israel Democracy Institute.

It was conducted via the internet and by telephone (to include groups that are under-represented on the internet) between January 30 and February 6, 2025, with 594 men and women interviewed in Hebrew and 172 in Arabic, constituting a nationally representative sample of the adult population in Israel aged 18 and over. Interviewees in Arabic were not asked about their opinions regarding gender segregation in the IDF.

The maximum sampling error was ±3.54% at a confidence level of 95%. Field work was carried out by the Rafi Samit Institute. The full data file can be found at: https://dataisrael.idi.org.il.

Female Representation in Decision-Making

A total of 65% of respondents agree (either “strongly” or “somewhat”) that equal representation of women is a consideration when deciding which party to vote for, while 29% do not agree that equal representation is a factor when voting for a party.

Breaking down the Jewish sample by political orientation, we found that in each camp, there is a plurality who prefer parties that have equal representation for women. There is a very large majority on the Left (80%) and in the Center (83%), and it stands at 50% on the Right.

We asked our respondents whether they agree that the number of women in the Knesset, in government, and in senior positions in the civil service should be increased, with the aim of equal representation of women and men. In the total sample, 71% agree with this proposal, and only a quarter disagree. Women agree more with this statement (79%) than do men (63%). In all three political camps, there is a significant majority in favor of more women in these roles (including 60% on the Right).

Breaking down responses by voting pattern in the last elections, we found that a majority of Likud voters (63%) agree with this proposal, as do a sizable proportion of voters for Haredi parties (Shas voters, 47%; United Torah Judaism voters, 32%). Among voters for Religious Zionism, 40% are in favor.

Regarding the use of legislative means in order to increase female representation in political parties (as is being done in localities), we did not find a significant majority in favor in the total sample: 48% agree that parties that allocate more than a third of the realistic slots on their candidate lists to women should be given greater state funding, while 44% disagree. Interestingly, this proposal is favored by a large majority of respondents in the Arab sample (70.5%).

When deciding who to vote for, I prefer parties that have equal representation for women (%)

The number of women in the Knesset, in government, and in senior positions in the civil service should be increased, with the aim of equal representation of women and men (Jews; %)

Does representation of women benefit women?

One of the arguments in support of adequate representation of women in decision-making positions is not only that it advances the equal rights, but it also contributes to improving the wellbeing of women in the country. The survey found that 65% of the public agree that the wellbeing of women would be better if there were more women in decision-making positions. 31% disagree. 70% of women in the total sample agree, compared to 60% of men.

The wellbeing of women would be better if there were more women in the Knesset, in the government, and in senior positions in government ministries (total sample, %)