Aust. delegation leader sums up the Women's Congress (Tribune, 31 Juli 1963)

=== [PDF page 1] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 31 July 1963, page 6 Aust.delegationleader. Sumsup the Women's Congress Official statement by Australian Union of Mrs. Freda Brown, National Secretary of the Australian delegation leader Women and the World Congress of the behalfof the The Moscow.She Women in statement makes this UAW. World Congress of Women convened by WIDFand heldin MoscowfromJune24 congress to 29 was the biggest of womenever; broughttogether held. It women from; 2000 countries, continent every and from 114 with representatives from 181 different women's organisa- Ii tions. nHESE women races,color, religion, were united in their disarmament, fight for peace and of all nations. and for happiness equality womenand children. determination friendship six-day-long discussion, the from 9 a.m. to the plenary sessions missions, 11 both and the comall points of view were presented listened and The National Library of Australia whole Congress was marked by fullest widest democracy and the discussion. The Congress demonstrated determination act prevent the tions that gress, before the world the unity of the women of the world and their new unison to world war. 181 women's organisain the Conparticipated only53 are members of WIDF. This is very significant. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236850318 === [PDF page 2] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 31 July 1963, page 6 (2) importance It shows the great questions discussed the and growth, prestige and the popularity Defendpeace their national shame"It is humanity and millions that ful for children men, women and are still suffering under colonial enslavement, that many countriesof Africa, Asia present epoch the womenin womenhas the tries, but in been many counequality reality and still defence war and not women prethe of peace is the most urgent and vital problem of our difficulties time. In exist toand dangers, day for the war if people united spite of preventing are and act to preserve world peace. representaCongress gave The countries tives of many an opportunity to speak of the pressing problems agitating their people. Delegates from tries spoke of African counproblems aristhe from, their struggles for ing national Women from Latin America spokeof their struggle for economic independliberation. the conditions the ence. inadmissible economically dependent imperialist dictatorships fascist turedby women from Spain, Greece, Portugal, Iraq, South Vietnam, South Africa.Many, fresh from prison indignation and National Library of Australia system. "We support the women and who struggle against j! kindsof all pression peoples imperialist and colonialism, all formsof!; ves-' feudalism, againstthe tigesof national and Messages from Premier liberty;! for independence." Khrushchov, the SovietUnion,;; Madame Bandaraneike, Minister Ceylon, Prime and President Indonesia, were Soekarno of enthusiasm. l! greeted with total for to supoppressed port people and torbrutality— solidarity Congress living social and theirown sions.All arousedthe independently, lives freely and choose their own way of the speeches torture that there '' fascist still are 18 yearsafter the defeat of Hitler. ' "All peoples should be able to I wereableto raise before the world public the need with the sears of Latin America and are still states, Delegates international for independence. Democratic Solidarity people's struggles the these against. that the nuclear has discriminated Congress declared vention number this recognised become a role of society. Equality constitutions countries that character increased the disarmament cause of ised by yet are the appeal: the words Of Demo- Congress delegates stressed their people. cratic International Federation. struggles "The cause of and inseparable peace is from the Women's the the them, wrath they spoke of 114. plenary sessions were made at not spoke and 520;! commis' documents were voted!' opposition and and absten-! correctlyrecorded., tions The delegation delegates attitude the the Congress Chinese;; did | assist its work,and subsequent statement that the undemocratic Congress was unfounded.; their http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236850318 === [PDF page 3] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 31 July 1963, page 6 (3) The Chinese spoke three times the plenary session, which more than any other was i' delegation. representatives Chinese timesrefused to abideby The adopted procedure gress. the; the Con;; permitted If thishad been had taken the could on, and Congress ventedthe ing same caused chaos have' other from finalis-! Chinese women the hope that the wouldabide by democratic the decisionsof the Guinea Australian delegation 13! that their pleased the struggle of the and the right people of the of Papuaand New;; Aborigine people Guineato eludedin independence, were in-;; Congress findings, the Congress will do much to; The stimulate workfor peace in Aus-n tralia. strengthened were hear- <, ing of the other parts struggle peoples of the world for zones; we were activity spired to hearof the America, Canada nuclear-free women the- England and were for shocked peace.!i hear of the | terriblebrutality being suffered; by women from Iraq,Greece, i, Portugal, Spain, South Vietnam Africa, deterSouth and and we struggles minedto make their more widelyknownand people of Australia arous: support them. Australian delegation Theimpressed wer most the warrnan generous hospitality extended y the Soviet Women'sCommittee,; Continued, National Library of Australia Page 8' from Page 6 and by the whole They fulfilled every made, they arranged visit private homes, fac tories, women. New were overwhelming the The especially propositions for delega-; the expressed others tion and many request Australian However, majority hostesses, Soviet people. our andpre-! business.! its Continued delegations attitude, Women's Congress schools and hospitals. Australian delegation is now to the women reporting back Australia. willing are and to speak to any eager organisa tion women and group all questions arising from answer the Congress decisions. The Congress appeal is a pro found and that simple document will further unite women of the world. In the final words of the The appeal: "WOMEN SHOULD lies the WHO DEFEND GIVE LIFE great responsibility rights, the happi defending our of our ness children, of defend and the rights of all ing peace the nations to independence, but faith have our great strength. represent the greater part of mankind. Our strength is our unity, which has so far enabled to avoid the horrors of a third war. world unite us con "The things which stitute a tremendous force; love our children, friendship and solidarity and women among striv peoples of the world, our justice, for peace, progress and happiness of mankind. to unite and work agree with all our strength against the a lasting danger of war,, to ensure earth. peace "IF WE. WILL IT, LIFE WILL TRIUMPH." ing http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236850318 === [PDF page 4] === Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 31 July 1963, page 6 (4) TRIUMPH." National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236850318