WIZO UK
WIZO is the largest social welfare organisation in Israel. WIZO helps vulnerable and disadvantaged Israeli citizens, regardless of age, race, or religion, to become self-sufficient and contributing members of society. With over 250,000 members in 50 countries worldwide, WIZO is the main agent for change for people in Israel.
For over 100 years, WIZO has been supporting vital projects across Israel including day care centres, vocational training schools, shelters for women and children, centres for girls at-risk, youth villages and also boarding schools. WIZO runs life-changing programmes that support single parent families, immigrants, vulnerable teenagers, and the elderly, as well as providing dedicated hotlines responding to issues around parenting, legal problems and domestic violence for men and women.
In 1959, WIZO was recognized by the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and was granted consultative status at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Today, as we realise a frightening increase across the globe in the levels of violence against women, WIZO offers unique examples of action and achievement. The WIZO Rule recently passed in the Israel Parliament, makes it law for any man proven to have been violent against a woman to undergo therapy. The WIZO men’s hotline for those struggling to control their anger and reaching out for help is now receiving 3-4 times as many calls and callers and their families are being supported appropriately. These are just two examples of the measures that WIZO has championed and implemented effectively.
Exacerbated by Covid-19, the current level of abuse and disregard for women highlights a time to shine a light on the value of women and their current and potential contribution across every spectrum of society. Who better to do this than WIZO, an organisation established by women, driven by women and enabling women to believe in themselves and lead the way to a better future for all.