News: "INCREASING THE INVOLVEMENT OF WOMEN"

 Following are Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's remarks on International Women's Day at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 6.3.05:
 
 "This week we will all mark International Women's Day. I see this issue as very important. My government is greatly interested in increasing the involvement of women in all areas of society. I am proud of the fact that my government is the first in the history of the state in which one-quarter of ministry director-generals are women. But this datum is not enough and we must reach the day when one-quarter of the director-generals are men. The Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women headed by Yehudit Plotkin will coordinate this year's events on the issue of equality of opportunity in the workplace, including the promotion of supportive work environments. Today, we will be briefed on the issue."