Israel okays gender-separated graduate programs in major shift

Israel just gave universities the green light to offer gender-separated graduate programs. The reform, backed by lawmakers on Sunday, aims to break down barriers for students who prefer studying in single-gender environments, whether for religious or personal reasons.

"This isn't about catering to one specific group," explains MK Limor Son Har-Melech, who championed the bill. "It's about giving every Israeli student the freedom to choose how they want to learn."

The push comes after seeing success with similar programs at the undergraduate level, particularly in bringing more Orthodox women into higher education and eventually the workforce. "The skeptics were wrong," Son Har-Melech points out. "When we first started separate undergraduate programs, people said it wouldn't work. But look at the results - more women getting degrees, landing good jobs, earning better salaries."

Taking cues from countries like the UK, US, and Australia, where gender-separated programs have been running successfully, Israel's new law keeps these programs optional and open to anyone who's interested, regardless of their background.

Malkali Bloy-Hannukah, who heads the caucus behind the initiative, puts it simply: "Everyone deserves a shot at higher education in a setting where they feel comfortable. That's what this is about."

Education Minister Yoav Kisch has thrown his weight behind the reform, seeing it as a practical way to make advanced degrees more accessible to diverse groups within Israeli society.