(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
 
The Cabinet, on Sunday, 16 January 2011, is expected to approve Israel's accession to UN WOMEN, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. To this end, the Cabinet will allocate NIS 3 million in membership dues.
 
The initiative to join UN WOMEN is the effort of Deputy Minister for the Advancement of Women, Young People and Students Gila Gamliel. A Prime Minister's Office representative will chair a professional steering committee that will set policy regarding Israel's participation in the organization.
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu notes that he ascribes utmost importance to Israel's involvement in an organization that advances the status of women in the world: "Since its establishment, the State of Israel has been known as a pioneer in the field of advancing women's status and has a proven record in the area of gender equality. Israel's influence in a prominent international body in the field is necessary because the issue of women's status is a main policy issue for us and because Israel's contribution to such a body from its inception could be considerable for the countries of the world."
 
Deputy Minister Gamliel said that, "It is important that Israel join UN WOMEN's Executive Board as soon as possible. Such membership will allow us to block attempts to delegitimize Israel and enable us to stress our country's positive aspects in the international arena. One of the State of Israel's main interests in the UN is to advance a positive agenda regarding the country's activities. Israel is among the world's leaders in advancing the status of women; therefore, it would be proper to stress this fact in order to improve its international standing. I am pleased that Prime Minister Netanyahu and the various ministries recognize the importance of the issue and have joined the effort to raise the necessary funds."