Lion of Judah Conference - Session Featuring Israeli Arab Is...

Breakout Session 3: Transforming the State of Women's Health in Israel Session Creators: ISHA/WHC (Women's Heath Collaborative), The Jewish Federation of Cleveland It's a shocking fact: in high-tech, modern Israel, women's life expectancy is lower than that of other women in the developed world. Learn about the problems and challenges of Israeli women's health, and find out about some successful Federation-funded projects and new initiatives that are addressing these issues. Two inspiring leaders who are working to change the status quo will share their personal stories and talk about their groundbreaking work with women's health. Featured Speaker: Hana Shalata, Director, Regional Center for Independent Living, Al Manal Immediately after she was born, Hanaa Shalata was diagnosed with optic atrophy, a severe visual condition that causes blindness. As an Arab Israeli woman with a disability, she faced and overcame significant limitations and barriers stemming from negative attitudes and perceptions. She earned a Bachelor's degree in education and sociology and a Master's degree in Gerontology from Haifa University. For the last six years she has been working in the disability field in Sakhnin, a city in the lower Galilee, as coordinator of a supportive community and director of the Regional Center for Independent Living at the Al Manal Organization. The Regional Center provides a variety of services for adults with disabilities, including raising awareness and changing attitudes and stereotypes and advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She has also volunteered and worked with a number of voluntary organizations such as Eran, Women against violence, and the Israeli Cancer Association. Transforming the State of Women's Health in Israel (http://www.lionconference.org/schedule/details/transforming-the-state-of-womens-health-in-israel)