We undertook this project in order to radically alter the picture of women’s representation at the level of the communal administrations in this city. Jerusalem’s model for governance is unique. The city is divided into 31 communal administrations and through them, the City Council implements its decisions and governs. The administrations have responsibility for implementation of decisions on issues such as infrastructure, education, social welfare and use of public space. This makes membership of the administrations significant. Each administration has nine members elected by residents and a further six members appointed by and representing the City Council. After nearly a decade without elections, in 2020, three rounds of elections were scheduled for 2021-22. Prior to elections, the representation of women stood at just 14%.
Our goal was to significantly raise the number of women elected.
At the end of the three rounds, completed in April, 2022, we had made some progress towards our desired outcome. Although still a long way from 50%, we were encouraged by the incremental increase of women candidates and electoral turnout. We still have work to do.