Feminist Looking Glass

The Jerusalem Post reports that Limor Livnat, who previously served in the Israeli government during 2003 to 2006 as Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, has now been appointed Minister of Culture and Sport by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  During her previous stint, Livnat was criticized for not dedicating enough time and focus to improving the quality of sports in Israel.  Now, however, she has taken action to increase the funding for the sports department by 42 percent.

Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski for the Jerusalem Post

The Post says that Livnat is “a well known feminist” (she has also recently been appointed as the Chair of the Ministerial Committee on the advancement of the Status of Women), who “is doing her utmost to raise the profile of women’s sports” in Israel and that during the 2003-2006 period, even though she did not devote much effort to sports, she at least increased somewhat the budget for women’s sports and initiated the first women’s sports council.

Livnat says that she wants to “raise champions” and raise Israel’s profile and status within the international sporting community by investing in youth.  Also, “I want to get into the minds of the people that women and women in sport is a very important part of sports and that sport is not only for men.”

It’s always good to hear that a government is taking steps to provide more opportunities for women athletes.  However, I would remind Livnat that the purpose of sports is not only to produce athletes who will make the government look good at international sporting events.  Livnat must also look for opportunities for the less-than-world-class athlete who plays sports simply for the joy of it.

Filed under: International, Sports Tagged: | International, Sports