Barbra Streisand has praised educators at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for issuing the largest-ever number of doctorates to women this year (13).

The Way We Were hitmaker received an honorary degree for her dedication to Israel from the school on Monday (17Jun13), and while collecting the accolade, the singer congratulated the 205 female students also receiving diplomas on their great achievement.

Throughout her speech, the 71 year old called for continued action in ensuring Jewish men and women were treated equally after learning that local women had been assaulted during prayer time at the Western Wall and were "being forced to sit on the back of the bus".

Streisand is currently in Israel preparing for President Shimon Peres' 90th birthday celebrations on Tuesday (18Jun13). She will also perform her first-ever shows there over the weekend (21-23Jun13).