צילום: אור קפלן
The strengths and value of Women and their Bodies
The organization focuses on the health of women and girls, a distinctive area with almost no social or educational activity in Israel. WTB deals with issues that are relevant to all women yet are not addressed because they are considered controversial or are silenced. We incorporate content on health and sexuality alongside gender empowerment. We promote a broad approach to health, focusing on quality of life and the strengths of women rather than sickness and pathology, de-medicalizing healthy and natural processes in the lives of women such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, adolescence, aging, and more.
Our work links the grassroots, government, and academia, characterized by a two-way flow of information between field activity, social organizations, academia and the medical establishment; between the practical and theoretical. Our activities appeal to a wide audience, with a focus on weaker groups, women with disabilities, and other special groups.
Developing broad, comprehensive, and integrative body of knowledge that incorporates position papers, brochures, and studies that include qualitative and quantitative methods. The information is collected from women in diverse professional fields, on various aspects that integrate conventional and complementary medicine.
Creating an unmediated, open platform for women and girls across the country. Our professional programs are also adapted to the distinct needs of girls and women, speaking in their language and addressing cultural-political issues with great sensitivity. We make sure our writing is clear and accessible to all women, regardless of education, profession, or socio-economic status.
WTB has a team of experienced group facilitators who receive comprehensive, professional training within the organization. Women can join the activities, have their voice heard and listen to the voices of many other women. The organization’s many volunteers serve in a variety of functions; long and short-term volunteering, interviewing, workshops, writing, translating, editing, fundraising, event planning, and more.
WTB is a non-profit organization, funded by donations and foundations that identify with the goals of the organization. WTB minimizes its expenses by not maintaining offices and is part of an international network of women’s organizations working to promote health around the world.
The need
Israel is fortunate to have a strong foundation of activism in all areas related to the prevention of violence against women, and women’s economic and occupational empowerment. Yet at the same time there is a significant lack of activity to promote the awareness of women and girls regarding their health, and health rights. We work to promote health for women of all ages, from young girls to elderly women, in the broadest sense – not just sickness, but rather all-around physical, sexual, and emotional wellbeing. Through our work with women across the country, we often hear of the need for accessible knowledge that will enable making informed decisions. In our meetings with women we learn about their needs, and issues that women face such as lack of understanding and awareness of existing rights, little information within the system on illnesses that affect women (fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases), unequal access to health services, lack of preventative medicine, issues of traumatic childbirth, adolescent health, sexual health, transgender health, and many other issues that concern women and the circle of life.
Why did we establish the online Knowledge Center?
When we find ourselves in situations of physical and /or emotional distress or a concerning medical diagnosis, many of us turn to the internet. Global search options open a world of opportunities and information and offer a sense of control. However, the overabundance of information can cause unnecessary confusion or worry, as some websites serve commercial interests and others do not provide up-to-date or accurate information.
The Women and their Bodies website was established to answer the need of young girls and women in Israel for clear, transparent, and reliable information on one reliable site that also serves to empower and inspire. We provide information on a wide range of topics that concern women, such as body image, fertility and contraception, sexuality, sexual preference, violence, menopause, our rights in the healthcare system, and more.
The Knowledge Center is accessible, to all women and girls, available in clearly written Hebrew, Arabic and some of it in English. The information aims to encourage women to learn about their bodies, their health, and sexuality, filling a knowledge void and addressing fears, to enable a more informed basis facing the medical establishment. In the Knowledge Center you’ll find detailed and frequently updated information on examinations, studies, nutrition and sport, as well as recommendations for self-examination, complementary medicine, and more. The website also provides reliable information on more controversial topics (contraception methods, detailed information on abortion, political-cultural aspects of women’s health, and more); offers women access to a unique world of experiences and voices, and inspires taking action to promote personal health and the health of those around us.
