Abstract
This course explores the role of Israeli women in the economy, with a focus on historical developments, socio-cultural influences, gender dynamics, and policy interventions that shape women’s participation in various sectors. It examines women’s contributions to different sectors of the economy including agriculture, industries, technology, and entrepreneurship, and situates these experiences within broader debates on gender and development. The course will also provide comparative insights relevant for Cameroon. After a brief history of the trends in female employment and labour force participation of women in Israel, there will be discussions on the concept of work highlighting gender segregation in paid work. Lectures will then focus on an overview of women in the informal and formal economy and shall discuss key issues about informality and gender bias. It will also consider women‘s involvement in the economy in the context of conflict and the implications of conflict on women’s livelihood. Given the centrality of women’s entrepreneurship to economic growth and development, the course is also going to examine the case for women’s entrepreneurship development and a comparative analysis of Israeli and Cameroonian women entrepreneurs.