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Keeping women in the picture

Irris Makler / lwOctober 19, 2013

In some parts of Israel, the ultra-orthodox Jewish belief that images of women can distract men has led to a removal of female images in public advertising. A group of women in the flashpoint town of Beit Shemesh has launched a campaign to keep women in the picture - literally.

https://p.dw.com/p/1A26s

In recent years, the demographics of Beit Shemesh have changed radically. Ultra-orthodox Jews now make up 40 per cent of the population. Many of them live in separate areas, go to separate schools, and shop in separate places to other groups of religous or secular Jews in the town. Differing beliefs amongst the towns various communities are increasingly leading to confrontation.

The role of women in society has formed a focus for the disagreements. Conflict initially broke out in the town, close to Israel’s capital Jerusalem, due to gender separation in health clinics and on local buses.

The removal of female images from advertising billboards in line with ultra-orthodox beliefs has sparked a creative campaign to address the issue. DW hears from a group of women have taken matters into their own hands to keep Israeli women in the picture.