For Israel's 60th anniversary, recognition awards will be conferred to women who have made a special contribution to advancing and improving the lot of children in Israel.
Under the banner "They contribute to society all year around; once a year they deserve a recognition award", Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila, appointed by the Government to delineate Israel's 60th anniversary events, and Marit Danon, Director of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women, decided to acknowledge and express gratitude to those who have been working ceaselessly over the years to improve the lot of Israel's children.
On International Women's Day, March 8, 2008, a special event was held with a large number of participants, attended by the prime minister and women's organizations, at which the recognition award was conferred on a woman who has made a special contribution to advancing and improving the lot of children in Israel.
Since the establishment of the State, women have been working for the good of the future generations in the framework of women's organizations, nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Some have harnessed their official work and their position to work for the good of and to strengthen the country's children, and there are many who do so voluntarily, outside any organizational framework. They all do so out of a sense of caring and sacrifice, giving children the opportunity to grow up to be useful citizens of the country.
Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila, before the event: "We express our appreciation and embrace with a big hug those woman who have made a major contribution to the advancement of children in Israel.
Israel's children are at their center of the 60th anniversary events, and the women recommended by the general public, irrespective of who wins the award, have an ongoing and meaningful impact on the care for, development and strengthening of our children."
Marit Danon, Director of the Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women and chairperson of the selection committee: "At a time when violence against the elderly, women and minors is so prevalent, this is an opportunity to again meet the beautiful people in our midst. These women symbolize the beautiful side of Israel, who extend their hands to give, not to take."
Recommendations about women deserving of special recognition were received from the general public following a media appeal. By the closing of the registration, the public had recommended over 200 women deserving of the recognition award.
Candidates for the recognition award had to meet certain prerequisites to be accepted for the prestigious competition: they had to be Israeli citizens living in Israel whose contribution to children has been significant and ongoing in one or more of the following fields: education, society, culture, health and immigrant absorption.