Many women become pregnant and put their studies aside ,academic institutions are great places for women to work as people discuss ideas and are far more open minded than some other misogynistic workplaces where women are sexually harassed constantly . The way women are treated in general in south africa is a disgrace so i hope israel will do much better

My recently-married daughter, having attended TAU, the Technion and MIT, is now writing her Master's thesis in bio-science. While males continue their post-grad pursuits uninterrupted, females reach the age where their bio-clock forces a choice between doctorate and family. The doctorate has to be deferred to later in life. Most women are, thankfully and valiantly, unwilling to forego family for a career. To level the field for them to become professors will require "bring your infant to work" facilities.

The period when a scientist/engineer or any other profession needs the most dedication to its career also corresponds for women to the time when they have children and raise their families and their husbands are also dedicating their energies to their careers. So apart from a few very special families, the woman gives up her career - some times temporarily to dedicate most of her energies to her kids. Later she returns to her career but most of the time it is very late in the game or like in science, things have marched on and there is no opportunity!

As someone previously involved in professorial promotions, this was a much discussed issue. It's not the biological clock or the lack of ability. It's that women continue to bear the greater burden of domestic chores and childcare and as such have far less time - and energy - to produce the research and numerous publications required to qualify for a professorship.