Ilana Kwartin is an inspirational speaker, feminist activist, legislative
advisor, author and entrepreneur.
Trained as a lawyer, Ilana specializes in women’s rights in the workplace and
family. Her expertise has shaped legislation passed by the Israeli Parliament and
featured in rulings by Israel’s Supreme Court.
Ilana lectures on the convergence of Law and Gender, women’s rights in Israel,
Coercive Control in marriage and on activism as a tool for social change. In her
professional life, Ilana has worked to close gaps and inequalities in access to
quality health care, to develop small businesses and local economies and to
strengthen women’s rights. She represents women who experience coercive control
in their relationships and teaches Zumba to women as a means to self-empowerment.
Ilana is the Founder of the start-up Levana, an Israeli Femtech company,
tailoring psychiatric medication to women’s hormonal cycles.
Today, Ilana is the director of Healing Space Rishpon – a trauma healing center,
pioneering response to the mental and emotional trauma the October 7th tragedy
and the subsequent war inflicted on Israel.
Ilana is the author of the book Imprisoned, based on her Ph.D. research exploring
the hidden phenomenon of Honor-based Confinement among married women in Israel.
Published in Hebrew in 2021 and in English in
2023, the book brings to life the stories of women suffering from Coercive Control
in relationships, inspires activist initiatives across the country and serves as
the basis for legislation.
Ilana was born in the Former Soviet Union in 1981 and made Aliyah in 1987.
She grew up in Jerusalem and served as a commander and officer in an IDF field
intelligence unit, including service deep in the Gaza Strip.
Afterward, Ilana earned B.A. degrees in Law and Psychology from the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem and an M.A. in Conflict Resolution from the Ben Gurion University of the Negev.
Ilana has a Ph.D. in Gender Studies from Bar-Ilan University, after researching
“Honor-based Confinement” among married women in Israel.
Ilana is a mother of four and lives with her family in Eliav, in the southern periphery of Israel.
