“Isha L’Isha” has been an active partner in a coalition of organizations against women trafficking in Israel since 1997, and started operating the project for fighting women trafficking in 2002.

Over the years, we have helped more than 1600 women who were traded and exploited for the purposes of commercial sex.  The strong ties we forged with these women made us question the place these smuggled women have in public awareness and the social responsibility for this phenomenon. Over the years, the project transformed into a struggle against prostitution at large, including its local manifestations.

We took action not only to assist exploited women in times of need, but also to address concerns about the future of these women. The intention was to help them break the cycle of prostitution, while making sure their rights and well-being are maintained.

By analyzing the personal stories of many women we’ve encountered through this project over the years, we’ve identified recurring factors that push women and girls into the prostitution industry. By understanding the source of the distress that led to this exploitation, we could help them personally as well as in the fight for their exploitation in the prostitution industry.

In the framework of this project we provided information and assistance to victims of women trafficking, who are ignored by the authorities. We assisted these women, according to what each of them wanted:

• Humanitarian assistance – safe temporary housing, first aid, and emotional support.
• Legal assistance regarding their rights while staying in Israel, helping them obtain the documents needed to return to their homes, and assisting with the translation of documents.
• Empowerment for the future – we hosted a women’s economic empowerment course that showcased the professional and personal skills needed to gain financial independence, while enhancing their sense of capacity.

In addition, we assisted in contacting aid organizations in their home countries – those that would be able to welcome these women and ensure their safe return and rehabilitation in their home countries.

Acknowledging that women trafficking and prostitution are not unrelated phenomena, we held lectures and seminars to raise public awareness to this issue, aiming to generate a realistic discussion on the everyday reality of these women and on the prostitution industry’s effect on women and on the Israeli society.

The project was primarily operated by volunteers who were trained to deal with the nature of the activity. They were joined by a paid administrator and legal advisor.

The project’s areas of activity:

Assisting women who entered the cycle of prostitution and victims of trafficking – creating an inventory of aid and human rights organizations

Assisting women and girls who entered the cycle of prostitution – a professional pamphlet that included information, data, and expert writing on the phenomenon of prostitution.

An emergency fund for women in prostitution and for victims of women trafficking – the fund’s goal is to collect donations to support women victims of trafficking or prostitution who are not able to pay for treatment or assistance and are not supported by governmental or other allowances.

The rights of traded women and women migrants – counseling, training, and providing information to professionals dealing with trafficking and migrant women’s rights in Israel.