Ultra-Orthodox Women in Israel Struggling in High-tech

Ultra-Orthodox women are joining the high-tech world in growing numbers, but they are divided on whether it is better to work for a Haredi high-tech company or an “ordinary” one, a survey shows.

• Despite Decrees, Haredi Women Still Studying for Degrees
• Juggling Act: Haredi Women in High-tech
• Working Poor? Not So Many, Actually

While ultra-Orthodox women prefer Haredi employers because they provide a more comfortable work environment – including strict gender separation, and more opportunities to meet and socialize with other Haredi women – ordinary tech companies offer better pay, found the survey of 120 women, conducted by two Ben-Gurion University researchers.

At a conference on integrating Haredi women into the high-tech industry, panelists said that some 600 ultra-Orthodox women had completed training at Haredi engineering programs but couldn’t find work, especially with non-Haredi employers.

But they also said low levels of schooling in math and English in Haredi schools was an obstacle. They urged the Education Ministry to train ultra-Orthodox teachers to improve the quality of education in the two core subjects.