Ahoti Movement was established in 1999 by Mizrahi feminist activists.  Their goal was to establish a unique movement that could provide oppressed women, who were unable to express themselves, the opportunity to voice their opinion.  After years of raising awareness about Mizrahi women, the Ahoti Movement was able to address the needs of the women in the peripheries of Israel, whose social needs were neglected due to their geographical position.  Ahoti's primary goals are to advance economic development, personal empowerment for women and advancing a multicultural feminism from a unique Mizrahi perspective.  Ahoti supports the self-empowerment of women through projects, workshops, and conferences towards economic independence.  Through Ahoti's empowerment strategies, economically disadvantaged women are encouraged to develop self-organizational skills, organize community cooperatives and/or partnerships and develop new and creative ways of earning money. Read more about the goals of Ahoti's Movement

The House of Ahoti - A Feminist Centre of Culture and Society in Neve Sha-anan in South Tel Aviv

    In the last few years, there has been a change in the Neve Sha-anan neighborhood.  Different authorities, mainly the Municipal Authority and the Law Enforcement, have neglected the area and allowed it to transform into a centre of criminal activity, such as, trafficking of women and drug dealing.  Therefore, this neglect has cause prostitution houses and places that sell and use drug to exist.  This activity has created corruption of public property, violence, and theft.  As well, the establishment of the Central Bus Station has contributed to this situation of crime and prostitution and has made the neighborhood one of the most noise and air polluted areas in Israel.  The security of the people in this area, mainly women and children, has been undermined.  The need to be inside the community in order to truly be involved and experience these women's daily life has triggered the House of Ahoti to be moved from the centre of Tel Aviv to the southern neighborhood of Neve Sha-anan. 

Social Action

    Ahoti has tried, along with the people of the area, to close the prostitution houses and to physically create a friendly and social environment in the neighborhood.  In the Ahoti House, a space has been created for women, who come from different nationally, religious, social case backgrounds.  The House supports the women and allows multicultural dialogue. 

In the House, a consulting and information centre for women has been established.  The House also includes exhibitions, lectures, workshops and courses that are open to the public without a fee.  The House is located at 70 Matalon Street and hours of operation are on Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 until 18:00.

Every Thursday between 15:00 to 18:00, the House is open for people who are seeking assistance, such as writing letters to different authorities, media, government officials, and National Security. Legal advice and assistance is  offered without charge.  The House is open to everyone, especially to women because Ahoti sees women to be the ones suffering the most from the corruption in the area. 

Cultural Action

    The House of Ahoti is also a cultural centre that serves the community.  There is a library in the House and the walls are used to display art exhibitions that deal with different aspects of social realities in Israel.  In March of 2006, the first exhibition in the House, Siftah, was opened and many exhibitions will follow.  The artists try to promote cultural change by creating awareness through their art.

A few nights every month, the House is opened until late hours of the night for social and cultural activities, lectures and meeting with social activists and artists, such as, composers and authors.  Examples of Events in the Ahoti House

Siba Shakib, Author of Afghanistan, where God only comes to weep, the story of Shirin-Gol visited Ahoti's house.
Click for picture Gallery - (photographs by Lauren Lyons)