Domestic Violence Support and Prevention
Over 200,000 women and half a million children in Israel are exposed to domestic violence each year. The Na’amat Centre for Prevention of Violence in the Family in Tel Aviv (the Glickman Centre) has aided thousands of these victims. Our centre provides legal counselling, runs support groups for women experiencing intimate partner violence and provides rehabilitation services for abusive partners with the co-operation of the authorities. Na’amat tries to break the cycle of violence by changing the patterns of behaviour where possible, and when not, helps to find alternatives for the victims of the violence. Na’amat reaches out to the community teaching how to identify abusive relationships and situations.
The Na’amat Canada Glickman Centre for Family Violence Prevention
The Glickman Centre, established in 1993 as the first women’s shelter in Israel, is made up of three distinct sections: the Shelter, the Counselling and Treatment Centre and the Rhodie Blanshay Benaroch Multipurpose Children’s Centre wing, a haven for children living in the shelter. The Centre was funded by the Tel Aviv Municipality Foundation and Na’amat Canada.
Scholarships
University Scholarships
Each year, Na'amat awards 200 university scholarships to academically gifted Israeli women, giving them the chance to attend university or facilitating the completion of their Bachelors's or Masters's degrees.
Most of these scholarships are in fields traditionally occupied by men – engineering, medical and scientific research. The awards offer women talented in these areas the opportunity to develop the skills they need to escape poverty, enter promising careers and make their mark on Israeli society. Through this important program, Na'amat contributes to the empowerment and advancement of a new generation of women.
University Research Grants
Na'amat also offers awards for annual research grants that help women pursue their PhDs in the fields of gender studies (4 grants) and science (4 grants).
Dr. Maya Weinberg: "... someone says I believe in what you're doing, I think it's worthwhile... Beyond the financial help, which is so important, this is something priceless..."
Abba project
The Abba Project (“abba” means “father” in Hebrew) is an initiative at the Na’amat Canada Glickman Centre for Family Violence Prevention, in Tel Aviv. It was established in 2020 due to a growing need to create discourse and provide unique responses for fathers struggling with the challenges of raising their children.
It constitutes an inclusive “safe space” that responds to these fathers. Strategies include personal counselling, group sessions and spousal meetings. Sessions are also available on Zoom, while maintaining discretion and affordability. In addition, lectures and workshops are offered on subjects of parenting and fatherhood.
Because of the success of the Abba programs and services in Tel Aviv, Na’amat has expanded to offer Abba in other municipalities in Israel, as the needs are country wide.
Examples of programming include:
- Transition to fatherhood
- Balancing work and family
- Fathers coping with divorce
- Fathers coping with loss
- Father-and-child activity workshops
- Fathers in single-parent families
The need for these services has increased dramatically during the war due to intensifying family pressures, which has led to an uptick in the incidence of domestic violence. Fathers have been absent for stretches of time and are suffering from PTSD. They are not sure how to relate to their children and how to fit back into routines.
Legal aid clinics and women's rights centre
Legal Aid Bureaus
In locations throughout the country, Na’amat’s Legal Department has offices staffed with lawyers who provide advice and help to women. Professionals offer help in personal issues such as domestic abuse and violence, employment discrimination, sexual harassment and illegal termination during pregnancy. As part of its continuing role as a leader in the field of women’s rights, Na’amat drafts and introduces legislative proposals to the Knesset, and submits petitions to the Supreme Court on the Status of Women and their legal rights.
Family Rights Centres
Helping over 9,000 women annually, these centres focus on the challenges of women in need, utilizing a staff comprised of lawyers, psychologists and social workers. Innovative vocational and leadership courses are also offered to women seeking to advance their careers and to start up new businesses. These centres can be found in all major cities of Israel including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Be'er Sheva and Petah Tikvah (a Na’amat Canada supported facility).
Women's Rights Centres
The women’s rights centres offer the following support:
- Work-related issues
- Domestic violence
- Family relations
- Single parenthood
- Special needs families
- Pre-marital and parental agreements
- Wills and bequests
- Mediation
Women's Wellness & Empowerment Centres
Women's Health Centres
These centres offer an array of education and counselling vital to building awareness about common female health issues, so women and girls will be able to detect and ultimately prevent illness. They provide educational programmes on childbirth, eating disorders, prevention of osteoporosis, family planning, menopause and nutrition. There are also individual and group therapy programmes for post-natal and menopausal women and support groups for cancer patients and their families.
Health and Empowerment Centres
Na’amat also has Health and Empowerment Centres in Karmiel and Sderot. These centres offer medical preventative projects and lectures/workshops for women and families. Watch one of our members talk about the centre in Karmiel.