As One! For Equality, For Happiness, For Peace: World Congress of Women, Copenhagen, 5-10 June 1953

=== [PDF page 1] === aye CAS ONE! For Equality Sor Happiness For Peace WORLD CONGRESS OF WOMEN COPENHAGEN-JUNE 5-10, 1953 === [PDF page 2] === COPENHAGEN JUNE 5-10, 1934 thois Chriviian Andsteen’s.yMesmaids! lice ddaniniatye the disbour of Copleuhheen F WOMEN WORLD CONGRESS Reporta Speeches (Extracts) Documents lished by the Women’s International Democratic Federation ERLIN W8 — 13 Unter-den Linden: === [PDF page 3] === enhagen welconied: the 3 2angress of Wonten Ina: great open “air mesting, === [PDF page 4] === AS ONE! For Equality, Happiness, And Peace a ‘World Congress of) Women, held from June. 5th—10th, 1953, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the appeal of the W.I.D.F., marks a new stage in the history of the omen’s movement. It was attended. by 1,990 representatives from 67 countries of all ntinents, among. whom. were 613 delegates, 1312 guests, and 65 observers. "The appeal responds to’ the deepest aspirations of women. It has received. the ipport of many personalities and has aroused the interest of women in all countries, ‘he Congress, brought together. women of very. different nationalities, races, walks of life, political opinions and religious: convictions, who spoke in the name,of hundreds of millions of women, united by the desire to find a basis of understanding which will enable them to join together their forces for the cause of peace and progress, Many women’s associations and organisations of different viewpoints helped in the reparations for the Congress and sent their representatives to Copenhagen. The national organisations of the W.1.D.F. showed great initiative in organising and uniting the delegations. - Among: many of the delegations there was a majority. of non-members of the.1.D.F. For instance, in India a national. committee was set up and) a National Conference was held which elected a delegation of 27 members of whom 4 only elonged to. the W.I.D.F. The Japanese delegation was sent by.a committee grouping gecther 30 women’s: organisations, only one of which is affiliated to the W.I.D.Fy In ndonesia the 10 delegates and. observers belonged to 6 organisations, one of which, ‘the Union of Plantation, Workers has more than 400,000: women members. n 14 countries delegations were sent by organisations and national associations belonging to the W.LD.F., such as Egypt with 10 delegates from 4 organisations, jamaica from 2 organisations and South Africa from 2 organisations, 7 countries took part in a world assembly of women for the first time, The delegates and many observers and guests were elected at conferences and ongresses, at thousands of meetings and assemblies. Preparatory committees were t up in many countries. Thousands of signatures of support for the Congress. were lected, ‘thousands of motions and resolutions were adopted and. large sums of joney collected, ee Thus many large and. representative delegations came to the Congress. France sent 52 delegates, 20 of whom were elected by various trade unions. Great Britain sent 25, = majority of whom were members of the National Assembly of Women of Great tain. Austria sent 22.delegates, Finland 44, The German delegation consisted. of 0 delegates, the great majority of whom came from West Germany... The’ small untry of Iceland was represented by 7 delegates from 3 organisations. The Brazilian elegation included the representatives of 5 trade unions, while 4 of the delegates id been elected at meetings of striking textile workers: The Soviet Union elected a legation of 30:members for the Congress among whom were, 14 deputies. and omen Ministers. The People’s Republic of China was represented by 30 delegates oo social backgrounds, the leader of the delegation being the Minister of alth, === [PDF page 5] === Italy had prepared a big delegation but since the Congress took place at the sam time as the elections, only 10 delegates came towards the end of the Congress. They brought the news of the great victory of the forces of peace in their country.; Among the delegates and observers there were 106 women workers, 26 peasan women, 106 shop and office workers, 57 teachers, 46 writers and journalists, 21 artists, 23 scientific workers and doctors, 8 lawyers, 8 women engineers, 8 industrialists and business women, 7 students, 195 housewives and 39 officials of women’s organisations, Among the women present were 30 Members of Parliament, or Ministers. 475 women were mothers of families some of them with 10 or 12 children. Ten international organisations interested in the defence of women’s rights and o: peace were represented. Among these were the World Peace Council, the World Federation of Trade Unions, the World Federation of Democratic Youth. International Women’s organisations also represented were notably the International Co-operative. Women’s Guild, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the Young Women’s Christian Association. ‘ More than 80 countries elected delegations. However, because of the situation in” certain of them, and because of the difficulties placed in their way by the authorities. twelve delegations were unable to be present at Copenhagen. In addition, the delega: tions from Korea and Viet-Nam arrived in Europe but were not allowed to enter. Denmark. However, the messages from these two countries, as well as Malaya, were read from the platform. The Congress decided to count them as present and the © documents were passed in the name of 70 countries. After the ‘speech of welcome made by Mrs. Ruth Hermann in the name of the » Danish Preparatory Committee, Madame Eugenie Cotton, President of the W.LD.F., » opened the Congress, ‘ The Congress heard two reports: The struggle for the winning and defence of women’s rights as mothers, workers « and citizens, given by Dr. Andrea Andreen, President of the Swedish section of the W.I.D.F., and the summary of the achievements and the perspectives of women’s ” action in defence of peace and the interests of women and children, given by Madame ‘; Cotton, President of the W.L.D.F. 3. Following the presentation of the reports, the delegates of all the countries took + part in the plenary session. Then the Congress divided into five sections for dis- "| cussion on: economic and social rights, political and civil rights, the right to education, \ protection of children, peace and friendship between the peoples. A Commission, presided over by Madame Andrea Andreen drew up the Declaration on Women’s rights and a Commission presided over by Madame Cotton worked out. | the Appeal to the Women of the Whole World. On the proposal of the Indian delegation, a resolution was passed approving the © work of the W.I.D.F. and expressing the desire to continue to work in close collabora- * tion with it, emphasising at the same time the uncontestable authority of the W.I.D.F. in the international women’s movement and the confidence which the women of the whole world have in it. Y The new leadership of the W.1.D.F., later elected by the whole Congress, is the “| representation of the unity, the strength, and the diversity of the world women’s | movement which was clearly shown throughout the Congress. === [PDF page 6] === i women who have fieined to: prepare ‘this Oo an gt Gur: Hearts: rp, and. sve could ‘nk === [PDF page 7] === pwant to: bulid: a future oF Hepp ieess abe peace: === [PDF page 8] === Mme. COTTON President of the Women’s International- Democratic Federation Opens the Congress n her speech of welcome, Mrs. Ruth Hermann has just defined the spirit of the Congress. which opens today in a most just and a most humane way. Her words have “goné to our hearts. As President of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, I would like in my turn to ‘greet our great meeting. ‘How beautiful this Assembly is. And not only because of the harmony of lines and lors but because of the enthusiasm and the valour which can be read in all eyes.. 80 countries have responded to the Appeal launched by, the W.LD.F., and delegates have come here to search together for concrete solutions to the problems which women have so much. at heart—the defence of peace, the defence of childrén, and the inning and defence of. the rights of women. We all know by experience that our activity in all spheres would be much more » -eifective if we possessed more. far-reaching rights than those which we now enjoy in ost countries. That is why we have given first place to the winning and defence of women’s rights in the work of the ‘World Congress in Copenhagen. Let ‘me greet first of all the representatives at this Congress of the world orgafiisations, and all-the personalities who have come to express the sympathy which, they. 2 tor the great efforts*of..women in the world foday. ei I thank warmly all the women who, while not: belonging to ihe W.LD.F., neverthe- Jess wanted to contribute their brick to the building that we are frying to construct. We want our. guests to feel cordially welcomed at this world meeting, whose’ deep significance ds to prove that an ever greater number of the most different kinds of ° ‘omen’ can Manage to understand one another and to act together. thank in my turn thé many délegates.who for some months have been making ich a great effortto prepare for the Congress, issuing very many appeals; holding any conferences and meetings on a very broad basis, and often having to overcome reat, difficulties in. order to come to us. ‘hese courageous women give us a grand example and increase our will to work ard the advent ofa more just world. the name.of all the delegations, I would like to thank our Danish friends who taken such hard tasks upon themselves in the -preparation of this fine Congress id’ who accomplish miracles every day in so-cordially welcoming the new arrivals sé number surpasses all we had dared to hope. For I am sure that ‘their best ‘ward will be the great success of this Congress; we owe it in great part to them: Dear friends, we have very great tasks to accomplish at present. The duty to do 01 hers ofall, times. But present circumstances give all women a stronger feeling of their responsibilty to their children, Recent wars and present wars strike cruelly at lian populations. That is why womien are participating in ever greater numbers, id with such great spirit; in the magnificent effort of the peace movement. best to-bring. up our children isnot a new one} it has been the great concern of, === [PDF page 9] === But it is not enough to protect children from war. They must be prepared for happy and fruitful life. To do that, we must give them the necessary material car and the mental and occupational training. suited to their abilities. In the present stat of the world, a great many governments are using for war preparations the mone; which ought to be used for welfare purposes and education, and women are sufferin| to see the miserable conditions created for millions and millions of children in th world, More and more they are feeling the necessity to win many defenders of the cause of children! Women in all circumstances realise that they will act more effectively if they posses: equal rights with men in all spheres. No one can seriously contest the well-founded principle of equal rights for al human beings, and many states have recognised it in their Constitutions. But in realit; there are but few countries where the women enjoy this, equality in fact as well a: legally. The idea of many people, in fact, is that the chief role of women is to occupy themselves with their homes, and if that is the case it little matters whether they have or have not the chance to make practical use of their civil and political rights Dear friends, we must take a very strong position against this point of view which women themselves adopt-too easily. When a thing is right—Mme..Curie said—it mus’ be done, even if there are 100,000 reasons to prevent us. In other words, when material. obstacles interfere with the exercise of a right, it is not the right which must be curtailed, it is the obstacle which must be abolished. It would be possible to lighten the burdens of mothers if the government would give them every necessary aid in bringing up their children. Were women able to exercise { their rights in the same way as men, then the cause of peace and of children would © be defended more effectively by wives and mothers. 4 Dear friends, we have reached a stage in history when women have proved their ability and capacities in all fields of human activity. It is not a question of a few exceptional women, there are millions of women in all countries who have become aware today of the possibilities before them and who refuse to be regarded as workers | or citizens of an inferior category. All women together constitute a great and new force on the march towards progress The Congress at Copenhagen will be the expression of this force. In unity the women will make this Congress a decisive stage in the action they have undertaken in order to win their rights, to defend peace and the happiness of their children. === [PDF page 10] === Report of Dr. Andrea ANDREEN, President of the Swedish Section of the W.1.D.F. n' Opening this magnificent Congress, Madame Cotton with her straightforwardness, her sensitiveness and ténacity as a mother and woman who-has been fighting for Many years for the emancipation of women, the happiness of children, and peace in world, underlined the reasons why the question of women’s rights will occupy an nportant place at the Congress, Madame Cotton’ has shown that more and more omen ave realising that. they have not only the right but also the duty to help in the ution of the great problems of their peoples. “the report: that we shall present, we intend to give a picture of the lives of en in the different;countries, to tell you how they are struggling for moré just ‘better conditions: Your contributions to the discussion will no doubt complete our survey and together we shall find the solutions which answer the deep aspirations millions of women throughout the world. who are half of mankind know by experience that wé are entitled to enjoy rights. We shall not discuss here the evolution of women, except to say that it isnown that there was a time in the history of man when women played a major Eacaraeliont the centuries, women have established their ability, courage and intellie. They are contributing more and more to the life of their nations and peoples. Millions of women today work in industry, agriculture, education and the social es, and many of them achieve distinction'in the fields of production, culture, literature and art. === [PDF page 11] === [Photograph: a woman worker operating a lathe in a factory] === [PDF page 12] === istory. shows how women have struggled, together with their peoples, for bread their. children and for the liberty and independence of their homelands. Thousands them have given their lives in great national liberation movements and for the ancipation of the peoples and every country today can pay homage to the great ional heroines who have become legendary. Arising from these struggles women in some countries gained the right to vote and ‘to be elected at the beginning of the century, New Zealand in 1893, Finland in, 1906, forway in 1913. The Russian Revolution for the first time in history gave women free and equal - rights in all fields of poljtical, economic dnd cultural life and laid down the conditions ~ for women to enjoy these rights. This gain is becoming the inspiration of millions of ' women throughout the world. “In the second world war, women took part with all their hearts and strength, their conscience and courage in the great patriotic. struggle against fascism. * ‘ During these hard years, women gave proof of their sense of responsibility and _ devotion to the cause of their countries and their peoples. They showed mankind that ~ women are capable of participating in the most important affairs of the nation. Strengthened by these actions, women after the sccond world war, were able more vigorously to demand equal rights and in this they were supported by world public opinion. It was as a result of this that the United Nations Organisation had to proclaim the principle of equal rights in its Charter and had to recommend to the governments the granting of women’s essential rights. But if we examine the situation, we see that in actual fact this principle remains very insufficiently respected. Several governments appear to ignore it and others limit themselves to the formal granting of certain rights without guaranteeing their - application. It follows that millions and millions of women do not possess a single tight, or do not have equal rights with men in the economic, political. and legal - Spheres. Today, because of the preparation of a new war, this situation is tending to worsen. In many countries today women see these rights which they have won trodden --underfoot or neglected. Often they have to see, with aching hearts, their children underfed, deprived of the necessary care, they see their work -badly paid. It is be-, coming more and more difficult for them to establish their personalities and their abilities in their work and in society: Those who follow a war policy in order to be able to accelerate preparations for anew world conflict are attacking democratic liberties and the rights of the peoples; they would like to exclude women from the life of their countries and to stop them @xpressing their will for peace and progress and from playing a decisive part in National and international affairs, One of the essential conditions for the realisation of a real equality for women is their active participation on an equal footing with men in the economic life of their countries. In the present epcch there is no country where women do not take part in production. Everywhere millions of women are working in factories, on the land, in Schools, hospitals, offices and so on. In 6 countries alone, Great Britain, Italy, France, the United States, West Germany and Japan, there are 61 million wage or salaryearning working women, “In some countries, the rights of women in the economic field ate very limited. Women are ruthlessly exploited and subjected to constant discrimination. The woman who is working at the same machine as a man, whose output is the same, gets less than her male colleague. In general this is the case for all working women whatever their work. The principle of equal pay for equal work is not always applicd even in the countries where it has been proclaimed, apart from the Soviet Union, China and the Peoples’ Democratic countries. In the United States, on an average, women get 30 to 40°/o less than men in most fields of work. (U.S. Daily Worker, 31st August 1952.) Negro women are subjected to an extra discrimination and their average wage is 2'/2 times less than the wage of a White woman (Economie News, December 1952). === [PDF page 13] === “In many countries # access of women to secon, dary and university edus} cation remains limited, In} 53 colonial and non-self, governing territories th have no access whatever! to university education. Yet) mankind’s advance could be made greater and more: vapid by the full parti pation of women in thé economic and cultural lite, of their countries.” Possibilities for women t@ attend secondary and w versity study is limited in many countries. In 53 colo« nial countries and terriy tories under tutelage, they} have no access to higher} study. However progress) of mankind could he much} broader and quicker If women could fully partizg cipate in the economity and cultural life of their: countries. “If suddenly all the working women of the United States were turned into men, the industrialists would have to pay 10 billion dollars more than they pay now.” (Daily Peoples World, 7th November 1952.) Thus it is at the expense of women’s labour that the American employers have realised 10 billion profits.. In Great Britain, according to the Government’s Economic Survey of September 27th, 1952, women’s wages are only 53%%o of men’s wages; in Sweden, only women government employees obtain equal pay for equal work, but in industry women’s, ‘wages are about 70°%o of the men’s. In France, despite the law of 1946 proclaiming the principle of equal pay for equal work, the differences between men’s and women’s wages have increased from 7.5 "/0 to 12 %o, according to a statement made by the woman Senator, Madame Devand. In Italy too, Article 37 of the Constitution acknowledges this principle: investigations earried out by trade unions however show that the wage difference varies between 18 and 30 fo according to the different sections of industry. In West Germany, official figures show that women’s labour is paid about half that of men’s, In Japan the average wage of women is only 48.8% of men’s (according to information given by the Women’s Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour, Tahi Futzit). 12 === [PDF page 14] === coe: Upaycveoeived: by: women Urony:countries. and: non-sei!goveming: territories, for.» equal work: is“far Jess: than the men’s: which: is itself--totally insufficient. “They: are subjected: to -double | diserimination - ds’: Wworngn: and." as “natives. In: Madagascar, a european “typist gets 4 times: mare: when ‘she ‘first starts work than: dons’ a’ qualified sand cer{ifivated’ Madagascan typist (Womea: of -the World,: Jan,: 1952). TS attempt to justify this discrimination, those who want to maintain it ty. to prove gal itvis impossible to define the valuc-of iyornen’s work as compared: With men’s, Hey Produce Various arguments. They claim, ‘for: instance, that “men's: superiority demands A higher psy. They also affirm that man being the head ‘ef the iamily,.be has i support the: family, and: that-a supplementary, wage suffices for a woman, But-we know that work. repecsents the only means cf oNistenee for. millions of ‘single women, Wome Who! are heads of familics and those: who have ta ‘tske care. of ‘children, old parents: and. other: Acoording to the: information of the Women’s Section: of the Department:of Tabaur ofdhe United States, onc: American wemin out of every 4 working women is the bead of w family. In France, theve are 3 million widows ond of these morc: inan “fi are. the Saleeaupport Of. their ‘families (Semailies 1952}: in West Germany, 9) Vo of the-working women have to-rely entirely on their wages iq exist (Report of DFP. 2% th “Feo; 3942). Besides, even when the husband is vrorking, the present: increase in: the prices, of foodstuffs and industrial products is such that fhe women’s wage is very often neces: sare tor the family io rake both ends micet. fecpoint of fact: the inferoriy of women's. wages niakes if possible | tor -the @MPlGVErs td increase: thek profits and offes fo veduee the wages of men, and. itis 2oMothod by which. they divide. the workers. How nity aethers arc worry ung abun Gilfienttins Of Bike che a Tee or &a-is: OF: sahools, KUIGETS: pelivercmaitiigns of childriny ty the in: defead tig: their:vight., cetond as igh ts isels ehlidrer. vid === [PDF page 15] === The right to:work is fundamental to: wornen: ‘as ‘art integral ‘part af cote vgnt id fax front: being apphied-everywhere: Tis true: that-in. certain. cowntries: the: right ko. work “is proclaimed: by’ the:constitw Noh dnd ‘ensured in prachice: Bit in anday -cotiniries: itis limited ‘by national Ta Jocal ‘regulations ‘and’ often: ‘by the ‘employers te “well Who “make: thei Gwe value concerning: the employment of: women: And: frequently, legally vor ‘not,! there: is: ‘dis. crimination! against: married: women, hiitaly, Austratia. Scotland and: other: countries, marriage is ‘an: obstacle for ‘acces inte cettaim positions (Document of UNG! ES ‘6-186, 20th December, 1952}; 3 In: addiiion,: in: several countries: young: -glris: reaching: the: age: of 18 ‘are: refuses employment Fri order: that: they ‘should wht be: paid: the: shine wages as Womens T Western Germany. the managements al some: enterprises ‘answer igitls over! 18: lodkin for: jabs: “We would: Like to: empley you, but you are: ton ald.” inomany countries, professional training for women: is:extremely inadug ate: cin thi Colonigk and. noh-sef-eGverning tevrilories: there: is: none iat ‘all ‘amd: women ‘have: 1 + An Oftab: in extremely bad: ¢ondiliens, acctipL any kind of work: for very low wag: The Jack: of Iahoux protection, especially for: women, and ‘the abscnee: o¢ inadequaryé of: facilities: tar. childten (nurseries, after-school’ facilities: and | kindergardens): idveata ditfcultios for ihe working mother. They make it: impossible: for her:to: work: a ‘the Saine. time as. buinging ‘up her children and thus: they xeatrict the tight of women: te: work, Inthe ‘United Status, for example, there is no: legiskition: protecting: mother ‘and chitd:on ithe federal scale: In several states women ‘neither! have progriatiay: leave: n6P' mhalérpity: ahawances, Kindergarlens and mursles built. Guring | fhe:.war -have. been ¢loréd, down.) Phe s number: of -nurserkis. and nursery schoals: in Gréal: Britain. is quite inadequate. The same! positibn ‘exists: in Franed- In the 15th district of Paris, for example, which ‘has 200,000 inhabitants; there ds only ene: nursery: with pleces ‘for 20 -ehildren: only, he: journal ‘of the: Travian: women: says: “For thé Trinian wviemen working in a! lactory, the birth of a child ‘isa: misfortune. In order nat: to lose het Job, she: bas: te work: ti) the: last moment: Caf: her: pregnaney ands it: sometimes Happens that she gives birth to her child at her machine.” The Japanes: her. back. vémients 02 the Te WEL it be peasant woman werks ‘all cay. h eather) eB to suey Wwe? 189 === [PDF page 16] === ocopt werk. peagahr ater. eieetrieny, waa lite PRA rer miakes! the works oui or on SHAVES, Whe “aed that! on te she Jane! uh OL) SuGial. institiitions, We must also point out that- in the. colenial countries, -the workers, especialy the MOMGR. NOrk: if! parligulacty hitd: condWigns: They. -waork Roi: machines 15 hours: a aQycthey are beaten: if th absent from work, they. are fined: and: even dismissed: ANG there are: millions of woraen who: work -in these terrible conditions in: Latin’ Ameriva, “Agia: and Africa. We tatinat! describe the ‘haxd: cbnditiony of women. withoct. mentioning ‘the anillions of peasant women, ‘who. ia many: countries, ‘such ‘as ‘Iran. ‘India, ‘Lreq: and “Turk constitute the majority ‘of the female population. The U.S. weekix -jourtak “Worke Mapazine’: Nx. 2:/23rd March 1953, page 8, reports that out iaf 1.000 Exyplian women, 8,000 ave: the Wives and daveghtcrs of tellahs (@beaxants): who fead vn wretched’ existuded ANG Are RUBIES to Herve Gxpitiitation: They are ‘already: old at 36: > eNniste: the: position. of the peasants, ‘their. wives and,: and debts: and:tases mable' to: TAs Bnown-that-in: these: countries whete the: feudal reg PeAsanis: and their. fernnik actually: one: of Stavers. Ofte atid children are obliged: to work -to: pay. off:rent -of: the whch bye {ao cbigh for them the weet, ‘and: uimetimes, Avhen the peasant is Daye the tont, the wornen und children ‘aré: given! as mortgage: 15 === [PDF page 17] === ‘Worker's house. th Borvbay, celoth OF: rags. “Women: D awonmien Uereutasl workers and peasant women, For mullions of industrial and agricultural women: aoe. the fear of Ment pede to. thelr hard “working sonditions:: abe national economy | the policy a prepacing for war leads’ toa iajor educa in civil producti on, partt _ gulerly in light industry; the: textile: clothing and food industries which: employ a g proportion of women. workers. AS a result of this, workers and pelmarily. wom wworkers are: thrown out of work. = the majority of workers ate women: phe percentage of totally Or partly: unemployed people in sium is 40 a Gee the total umber wor i312 In’ this industry === [PDF page 18] === by: ae government agency. oe eWornen” who Work 2 Giace pour. Research Association) (Pamphlet Published: ae === [PDF page 19] === pes sterner x Sen ier and daughters at the age of 7 (civil -Code-article 1133 marriage law), “One of the reasons why women do mainly: unskilled and low paid work 18 that in many countries they: have difficulties in obtaining professional’ training and qualifica tions and their means of getting general education are limited. It is clear that the question ‘of education affeets women from their childhood and. is of great importance with regard to their participation in the political, economic and social life,; ‘ ~ Yet in several countries, women do not even have the possibility of attending primary school. The number of illiterate women in countries like India, Iran, Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia and: Morocco is 80 to 90°/s of the female population (according letters and reports from the national organisations of the W.I.D.F.). } Even in a country like Italy, there is a very high number of illiterate women. In two of the southern regions of the country. (Basilicata and Calabra) 58.3 °/» of women had to sign their marriage certificates with a cross. (Speech delivered at the Congress of Italian Women’s. Press, November 1952.) In many countries although the constitutions and official laws do not limit women’: 8 right to education, in reality access to secondary and university education ‘remains limited, Official figures of the U.N.O. (UNO document ECN 6191, 20th March 1952 in French) show that the percentage of women university students as compared with the total number of students is only 13%» in Switzerland, 16%o in. Norway, 16 %/) in Belgium, 9% in Japan, 9°/o in Columbia and 1 °/o in Honduras, < And young women who have completed their university education, very often’ at, the price of great sacrifices made by their families, do not always find work corresponding to their qualifications. It is not uncommon for them to be found. either increasing.the ranks of the unemployed women, or doing unskilled work. In 53 colonial and non-self-governing territories, women have ‘no access whatever to university education.; So, while on the. one hand, mankind's advance could be made greater and more rapid by the full participation of women in the economic and cultural life of their: countries, on the other hand these facts give proof of discrimination against..women;: with regard to their democratic rights and the right to education.: To this discrimination is added inequality in the. field of civil rights, Legislation still exists in many countries which maintains women in an inferior position regarding such questions,as inheritance, administration of family. property,. divorce and even their rights in relation to their children. f Official information from U.N.O. states that in the United States in 15 States, the right: to educate the children and to receive their wages, is primarily the father’s.and that it is transferred to the mother only after her husband’s death. In France, Belgium, Scotland and Ireland, the father alone has parental rights.as long as the marrlags) bonds are not broken. In. the: countries where’ feudalism still. prevails, women lead a life. of slavery and enjoy no. civil rights whatsoever. Polygamy is an undisputed right for men; marriage is a contract between families; young girls do not have the right to choose their hus=. bands; women do not have the right to ask for a divorce while the husband can repudiate his wife as he pleases; often women are denied their rights as mothers. In Egypt the husband -has the full right to beat»his wife; he can have:as many: wives as he likes. (We, Egyptan women. Inji Eflatoun.) In. Iran’ a man ‘can repudiate his wife. at. any time simply by stating that the: marriage is ended, and-it happens sometimes that women are divorced without. knowing anything: about. it. Women. can. divorce only in very limited cases, such. as. the i insanity or impotence of their husband. They are denied their rights as mothers; in case of separation the father takes away the sons as soon as they are two years old === [PDF page 20] === GMA: Afpivaa: counties different customs. and ‘traditions which are: supported. by yorse, Sor they have no rights: anid theseolonialists make: the ‘position of women = #o-burned: into slaves. LE thie Women do hot enjoy full rights in Ihe economic sphere; if their xight’ to Cdueation is: resicieted, if they are in a dependent position wit the family, ‘if the: protection of wnotherhood and -of the children is inadequate, then they’ cannot. participareins social and political Hfe on au erual.focting ‘even in the countries where the lew gives..{hem: political rights. Several “goveriiments | consider that. the. question ‘of! politieat rights for: women. is Solved? Unfortimately this: opinion is: shared by. a ‘few! women’s orgentisations which Me. longer: fight-for: women’s: rights; hough ‘thelr -progvarames -inelude demands. on: equal vighis, Bui ini fact this problem is far: fromi -beirig solvad AG es === [PDF page 21] === In the report of the Secretary General of U.N.O. in February 1953, it is stated tha’ in 15 countries of the world, women have no political rights. To this we must add th women from the mandate and trusteeship territories who have no political rights, In Switzerland which is widely considered to be a country of progress and demo eracy, women do not have either the right to vote or to be elected. Whereas the Republican Constitution of 1931 guaranteed the Spanish wome political rights, the Franco regime has taken these rights from them applying th principle that: “Man was born to create and to lead, woman to obey.” Article 10 of the Iranian Electoral Law stipulates that “Insane people, children ani women do not have the right to vote”. Among several countries which have granted women political rights there are som which officially limit these rights by means of restrictive measures relating to educa: tion, domicile, property, etc. For example, in the United States, the legislation o: certain States imposes a total of more than 50 types of restriction on women’s voting: rights—gualifications relating to residence, education, property, payment of poll tax: women, of the right to. vote and be elected to government bodies. (Statement b politicans in the “Congressional Record” January 13th 1950.) Equality is acknowledged for Brazilian women in the Constitution of 1946, but thi electoral law deprives illiterate women of the right to vote. They comprise 40 to 70 of the female population and as much as 80 °%7/y in agricultural areas. In Portugal, in order to have the right to vote women must have had the equivalen of a secondary education, pay a tax of at least 1,000 escudas, and be the head of family. “In addition to fulfilling the conditions required of men concerning tax payment: in order to participate in elections, they must also be heads of families.” (Documen of UNO General Assembly No, A. 11,911, 12th October 1951 Table 2, page 1.) In Syria the right to vote is given only to women who have at least the elementary school certificate (Document of UNO General Assembly No, A. 1,342, 7—9, table 3). i In the Union of South Africa, African, Indian and Coloured women have no political | rights; they are granted only to European women. If we examine information on the number of women elected to parliament in Italy, i France, Great Britain, the United States, Belgium, Sweden and other countries, we see that even in these countries, where according to law women have political rights, they do not occupy the place which they merit. Thus the participation of women in the political life of-their countries is insufficient. In Great Britain the women elected to Parliament represents 2.7% of the — in the U.S.A. 2.07 %o in the Congress, in France 3.5 °%o in the Chamber of Deputies, in Sweden 8.9 0; Norway 4.66 %/y;; Denmark 16.57 %o; Finland 12 %o, At the present time the possibilities for women taking part in economic, social and ‘political life are growing more and more limited. The governments which are preparing for war want to suppress the growing reSistance of their peoples against. this policy of war and poverty. To this end they attack the democratic liberties of the | workers and revise the constitutions and electoral laws; they take repressive steps, d against women who want to win or defend their rights. They deny, limit, and suppress the right of association, of demonstration, of expression, they attack women’s organisations and even go as far as dissolving them; they arrest the leading and most active members of the women’s movement, and imprison them. 3 In recent years a redoubled offensive has been waged in the United States against ™ democratic rights and the rights of the peoples. Last April the State Department of the, United States published a new list including more than 120 various social organisa 20 === [PDF page 22] === Japan é aeniereita 260 of. ISAT ant any: organise punishment === [PDF page 23] === ‘theory’ of “Woman's Place is in the Home" was} and a 3 3 a ‘Thus, those avho w. exploiting the noble tee! provide food: and them prowing === [PDF page 24] === any millions of such mothers there are, who think fearfully of their children's: How they suffer to sce their children go: hungry and gelling weaker day ‘by lig inefeased: cost of living, faxes, rents: and snamployiment caused ‘by wear. preweizh heavily on “working class: families.: It:is: becoming: more: and: more alt for housewives: to know how io feed their famil jes on their: husbands: ie wages Or of the unernployment allowance. * mother hasn't enough money te feed: the whole family”, awrites 3 French a: dy, “she. Gives: us: char share of the: food ‘and says; 1 dint (warit tO: Bat today: not: hungry. She’ doesn’t want us to: know about her worries but ‘we see tears eyes.” (hemimes ‘Francaises Nr. 382, 1952.) utchins of the Labour ‘Research Association: in her book, “Women who -made in 1951: by an: American doctor to: the President's... tory. Labour, #An investigation: which I made and suppor led with iltursl: labour ‘camps in Mathis, ‘Texas, revealed: that: #6 %/9 children: in: the ‘ea ad: rio’ mill at all in: the lasié months. It also showed (-8:Git of every 10 adults: had not: eaten tent for the last six months;.. The reason | ven twas. that. they could ‘not afford it on the money they were making?’ In this’ === [PDF page 25] === book, Grace Hutchins. revealed the fact.that.“in the San. Joaquim Valley, Californi during the winter 1949/50, at least 56 children died of starvation.” Sometimes unfortunate mothers go so far as to’sell their children so they need ni see them starve to death. Traffickers in human beings make profits out of the poverty of the people and out of mothers’ tears. The International Conference in Defence of Children revealed the sale and tra in children as a reality, .. The Canadian newspaper “Toronto Star” of 28th February, 1953, published a pol: statement about trade carried on between New York and Toronto bya firm whid deals. with the sale of children. It says that during the previous three months twent: babies had been transported from Canada to the United States. The agents of thi firm pay 250 dollars for each child in Canada. and sell it for 2,000 dollars, in t! United States. Further, one of the saddest effects is the increasing prostitution, especially in. th countries now occupied by foreign troops. To take only one example: in Japan. where American troops are. stationed, thousands of young girls are sold. to brothels, a very high proportion of which are directly under the authority of American Headquariers, Official figures’ show the total number of prostitutes in Tokyo as 50,000. The distress of some mothers leads them to such despair that they are driven commit suicide, Thus, in Japan, 55 °/o of suicides are mothers who kill their childre at the same time. (Pamphlet “Children Need, Peace As Flowers Need. the Sunlight”, Can we talk then of the happiness of women at home with their families? At the: present time, homes are being destroyed in the countries where wars are being waged. In Korea, Viet Nam and Malaya, can be heard the screams of mothers who see ‘their children the victims of bombs, napalm and germ weapons. Homes ‘are ‘also’ being destroyed inthe United States, in Britain. and in France, where women and mothers mourn their husbands and sons killed in the ‘wars against. the Korean,.Malayan and Vietnamese people. And homes are being destroyed in ‘the countries where the governments spend the people's billions in increased armaments in order to’ carry out their policy of preparing for war, while wretchedly small sums are allocated to health, education and housing. construction. In the United States, where the military budget is 73 %/o of the total, budget (speee by ‘Truman, Jan. 19th, 1953) expenditure on the needs of the people (U.S. News, Jan. 23rd; 1953) decreased by 15 %/o in 1952, compared with the previous year; fro) the beginning of the war in Korea until autumn 1952 the taxes paid by the worke: increased 2!/e times. (Economic. Notes Published Labour Research Ass., Sept. 1952.) In’ Great. Britain 2,700,000 families live in overcrowded conditions ‘while ‘housing allocations are only 7.5%» of the. total budget. (Figures published by the British Government on expenditure estimates for 1953.) Already'2 years ago, British families were eating 40 °/o less meat and butter than in the immediate pre-war years (Monthly. Digest of Statistics, January 1952), and the cost of living is continuing to rise. It is known. that in France military expenditure.is more than 45 %o.of the ‘tot: budget, whereas expenditure on reconstruction is less than 0.5%, health little more than 1°, and education 5.2%o. In Italy military expenditure increases every year while the standard of. living: of: the workers is deteriorating. 73 %o of Italian. families have an income lower. than the’minimum subsistence rate. Expenditure on the health services is 1.06 %o of the whole budget (Bolictino: Mensin di Statistiche No, 12, 1952, Tribuna del Ferrovierer No. 8, 1952). According to the, articles. of the General Treaty relating to financial matters; the expenditure for th maintenance of occupation troops and war preparations constitute 80.°/0 of the tot: 24 === [PDF page 26] === the: BU Oe abel: Leis ie Japanese people, that ee Mothers sell thet i gor she bee; of tial fondstatts: incveased by 30/6 to: 80 Me between ions of families sould © Oe Brent x bette scl: with oS ‘hh “on war. eee Des uilt with the. Th: Rrance, flats would be -necded eve wal MIB gover Us === [PDF page 27] === The: only: people many: ‘childr AM attack: is" 1ain= Ohed against:: the ehamanies: 5 dtos the: responsibility Of the sovernnients; tos ensure! for: the ealldxen, ihe inture country, fox. sRabbiness Bark deve-: -) topment. 26: === [PDF page 28] === numiber ‘of human ‘beiow: interesting atest: tro: prove: that Het “world has at its disposal enough re diet: for everybody everywhere. This ised: DY: the Bernal, when: he wrote, There is: practically limit to: ce 3 ‘who ean live a fidl and interesting Afe: fence opens up. endless possibilities if put at the: service: of m: the Soviet Union where grea t projects are ae undertaken for the: sO8sible etomp === [PDF page 29] === The §reat Sov: scientist, Olga Lep! chinskaya, whose recent discoveries open) up the possibility of: prolonging the life of mankind ‘We Sovie! scientists’ she clared, ‘aspire to lengthen the span of human life, we @ ° for peace, for peace pacts, for. Socialism, for creative work, for beauty and for a happy life.’ The care for the people which governs the policy of the Soviet government explains why the conditions of women in ‘the Soviet Union are quite different from the conditions of women which we have just described. Article 122 of the Constitution stipulates: “In the USSR equal rights with men are granted to women in all fields of the political, public, cultural, social and economic life. The possibility of realising these rights is ensured to women by granting them equal rights with men with regard to work, pay, leisure, social insurance and education, The government protects the interests of mother and child by grants to the mothers of large families and to mothers who have sole charge of the child, by granting paid maternity leaves, with continuation of full wages and by a wide network of maternity homes, nurseries and kindergartens.” By making the fullest use of their rights, the Soviet women play a tremendous part in the life of their country, They work in industry, agriculture and transport; they occupy responsible positions in all fields, Let the figures speak for themselves; 900,000 women specialists have received university education, 380,000 are engineers or technicians in industry: 50,000 are agronomists, zoological or veterinary surgeons; 450,000 tractor drivers or conductors of combine machines; more than 2'/2 million women work in educational and cultural institutions; more than 1 million women teachers are educating the young generation; more than 1 million are working in the health The Soviet women take an active part in the leadérship of State affairs. At present more than half a million women are deputies to the local Soviets; 2209 are deputies to the Supreme Soviets of the republics of the Union and of the Autonomous Republics and 280 are deputies to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Soviet mother is surrounded with constant care; the many services for the children, medical consultations for mothers and children, allowances for single mothers ‘ and mothers with large families—all these create the conditions necessary for the women to play an active part in the life of society as well as bring up their children. 28 === [PDF page 30] === Last November, Mrs. Andree Marity-Capgras, leader of a delegation of 18 French ‘omen, stated on her return from the Soviet Union; “Everywhere women are fully ual to men. We were received by the-Vice-Minister of Education—a woman; by the Vice-Minister of Public Health—a woman; by the manager of the Moscow Under- ‘ound—a woman, The part played by women in ail fields of activity in the Soviet inion is tremendous, and there is nothing surprising in this. The network of institutions which care for children makes women’s work far easier than in our country here the obvious inadequacy of facilities for children causes many.worries to working women. In the USSR the equality between men and women in the field of work is fully achieved, «. Radical changes have taken place in the lives of Chinese women. In old China the woman had no position in society nor in the family. In New China women have been dreed from this yoke; they have been given full equality and have’ become useful builders of the state. In all fields of work they set a splendid example. ‘Whereas in many countries women are being dismissed from their jobs, in China ring the last 2 years, the number of women workers has increased by 74%. The Chinese women are winning the battle to put an end to illiteracy. They are raising he life of Chinese en has cometely changed. They re full equal rights have become the ‘onstructors of a New ‘China. To enable them take part in the conomic and social ‘ifé of the country, the ernment opened numerous creches. === [PDF page 31] === Peasant women operate. machines which do the” heavy work, and multiy: ply the harvest, bringing; abundance. their cultural level and are extremely active in political life. Thousands of them work in government posts. 60 women have been elected to the Central government. In Poland, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania, the Mongolian® People’s Republic and the German Democratic Republic, women also enjoy equal rights in political, economic, social and cultural life and their participation in thes life of their countries is increasing all the time. In Poland, 20,000 women have been promoted io responsible positions in different — fields of the national economy; in Czechoslovakia many peasant women hav obtained high qualifications; they are tractor drivers and conductors of combine’ machines; in Hungary 30%» of the chairmen of agricultural co-operatives are women;; in Rumania 20,000 women are working in factories as engineers, technicians and® forewomen; in Bulgaria, women factory workers do skilled work, they become millers, turners and so on; in Albania, where formerly women played no part at all in the economic life of their country, they now constitute 20% of working population and 41% of the agricultural co-operatives, In the German Democratic Republic, the role. of women in the economic and political fields is constantly growing. 30 === [PDF page 32] === es: of women: in the Sovict Union. ‘the: People’s ane European countries, show: that because they enjoy considerable contribution to: the RappINeSs bE the: They want to: blair ‘hate a oh: they cun act more effectivaly for a wigorus campaign ual “pay and tor wage inere’ Du AES te debate on this ‘question. in: the === [PDF page 33] === thousands apnenle vi ale ay WO! AS owe thay the same ‘vig! Of pedpie’s Juri ithe: court meetings; We sm the? vight: to: work, smd ‘chika; ‘hey: carry: of ‘the Union: of Tali ‘and ‘succeeded: ix mi ‘posal: of ‘the -Textite constitution: grants: xvem Last year in’ the ‘elect €: candidates,: Throtenhe ction: of mather: and: ch iw Tn: 1952: Ga: the: Italian “Women, ® sroup === [PDF page 34] === the Belgium authorities cancelled. the unemployed allowances for a great number “Of married women, the unemployed women o£ the textile industry of Flanders demontrated in the streets claiming work or allowances, ‘ The congress of the Italian. Women held last April, which voiced the aspirations of all the women of the country, has adopted the women’s Charter, which demands the full implementation of the women’s rights proclaimed in the constitution, as “mothers, workers, and citizens. It protested against the arbitrary attacks upon iberty by the government and called upon all women to unite to prevent the enemies of the families of Italy from attacking the Constitution. “In Western Germany, the Adenauer Government had promised to give women equal economic and civil rights in 1953, but in the new draft constitution, those rights are not guaranteed at all. Therefore the women have resolutely declared their opposition to this draft. A women’s committee has been set up, composed of representatives of different tions and opinions among women. Last April, in all provinces, meetings and conenices were held where working women, miners’ wives and so on declared them- [ves unanimously. against the new bill. Various women’s organisations, such as the ague for Peace and Freedom and the Association of University Women are taking active part in this action. n the United States the struggle against discrimination against Negro women growing. In 1952 the campaign was launched to demand 100,000 new jobs for gro women, With deep feeling we recall here the big strikes in Catalonia where women showed Nagnificant courage in their fight for wage increases and price reductions, in face of the Franco-fascist repression. _ The fight of the women of Brazil against the high cost of living has led to the etting up of committees, where housewives, small trades people and students carry tions to bring down the cost of living. in India the women’s voices are raised increasingly in defence of their rights. ‘he delegates from the All India Trade Union Congress stated at the International nference on Social Insurance: "The tea planters demanded a wage decrease and 3 government accepted a reduction of 25%. We have news that thousands of men who at present do not receive the equivalent of starvation wages, marched ‘the offices of the planters and to the government to protest against wage decreases id to demand relief.“ e are happy to see at this congress delegates from India who are giving all ir strength to the struggle for the interest of their people, for the defence of dian women and children.. The Japanese women, whose representatives we especially greet today are ending in very difficult conditions their economic and political rights and the 33 === [PDF page 35] === right of their children to life. They participate in great numbers in all the stri of Japanese workers. Last year the Japanese miners conducted a courageous 63-da “strike. The miners’ wives and families heroically supported this struggle of th strikers. In order to feed their families and to hold out until final victory, the wome undertook various actions, they collected money, and even dug the ground for wil potatoes, They picketed throughout the freezing December nights undaunted by ft brutality of the police, and they were always at the forefront during demonstratio, In Switzerland women are fighting more and more actively to win thei political rights. In ‘Geneva, 29th and 30th. November 1952, an official women's referendum for the right to vote took place. Nearly-85 0 of the women who took pai in the referendum declared themselves for the right to vote. i The women of Iran are fighting heroically for political economic and civil righ! An Iranian mother expresses the feeling of her people when she writes: “When I r my child’s ‘cradle, I think: Why do I not have the right to take part in the defe: of my child’s life? Why am'I excluded from the life of society and why haven’t I political, economic and human rights? Is it true that in Iran to be a mother and’ woman is a crime? Those who bring children into the world have the right to conce; themselves with their future. Those who fight for national independence should hay ‘the right to make their voices heard in the affairs of their country.” The Organisation of Iranian Women, voicing the aspirations of the women Iran, is leading their struggles. It collected 100,000 signatures to a petition demand; the right for women to vote. It organised broad conferences which carried resolutior demanding the granting of voting rights to women. These resolutions were taken by: deputations to the Commission of Parliamentary Electoral Rights.; In Lebanon the government has granted the right to vote only to women whg have passed their primary school examination. The League of Rights of Leban Women has launched an appeal calling upon women to unite against the restrictioy A demonstration of women in Iran requesting their rights and national independence. 34 === [PDF page 36] === Women. of East Jaya: Gndonésia): dations tijprovemene of Food “avhich de piive miost of them ¢f the right to teke part in elections; many mectings have cdtakensplacein towns, distiicis and. villages,. many - prdtests have (been: ‘sent:to: the! [Unreadable] Dae: press”: government apd deputies. were: besieged with hundreds ‘a? petitions and i deléeitions: and: thus the government had ‘to grant the right tO: Vote 16 all women.::: We Ouly. Wanted to! Rive la’ tow! examples, ‘but we. could: muttiply ‘them sto: cover the: @eat maiority: of countric: cote great movement which has developed ‘on. the eve ‘of our congress: shows (he ever ereasing strugnle of woiter! for their rigits and for the defence of their children and Oiies: In dozens uf countries. there. have < been. wamen’s: congresses, assemblies;: BaNGnal-aid- local conterences, conferences. of: different: sectiins: of womea- women: eehony Workers. peasant wenien, houscwives: workers’ wives cic UY other counirics many: meetings have taken Place. Whatever: iné: strength.df/ the OMmen's warement: iti has ehvays been: directed towards the Nalisfaction of women’s éhiecand: as: reflected: the aspirations: of women from the most diverse’ circies: eryivhere women, ¢von in spite of repressive. mdasites, are fighting ‘courageously. fobcthor With their pedples; to defend. the life. of ‘their homes, to wite ped defend: their Tehis-the happiness of their childeen anit ‘the peace of the world: CADE VE Would Like’ to greet very particulaily our. sisters. from “Reérea! VietNam aad Mahia whd are fighling ‘alongside: their whole ‘peaples: to expel” the BBEFASSONS, ta “id thelr right! to Hife; national indepéeridérice: and: peace. Phey ere “Aghting in carder Se ableto cntay their rights in prosperity and DrUgrees in coubivies: at last set: fren: === [PDF page 37] === The Women’s International Democratic Federation and its national organisations jj 65 countries are working untiringly with initiative, boldness and courage in defene of women’s rights, Already in 1945 the international Women’s Congress held in Paris, which create the W.I.D.F. emphasised that there can be no real democracy or liberty in countri where women do not have economic, social and cultural rights. Since its foundation t! Women’s International Democratic Federation has been pledged to devote all itg strength to full and equal rights between men and women in all fields of life. Sincé then the W.I.D.F. has waged a continuous campaign. At its Executive Committee and Council meetings and in its Congresses it has thoroughly discussed the position of women and has called upon its organisations to fight actively for equal rights. fi women. Reflecting the aspirations of hundreds of millions of women the W.1.D.F. which hai consultative status (Category B) in U.N.O. has several times made concrete proposals; to organisations of the UN, which, if they were applied would greatly help the f implementation of the United Nations Charter and of the decisions of the UN Gener Assembly and the Economic and Social Council regarding equal rights for women. Last year alone the W.I.D.F. presented to UNO two very important documents: 2 memorandum on the political, economic and civil rights of women and a declaration; 0, on slavery and bondage of women and children. It has taken part in the various sessions of the UN Commission on the Status off Women, whose fundamental task, as declared by the Social and Economic Council in its resolution of 29th March 1947, is “to work for equal rights between men and] women and to abolish discriminatory measures based on sex in the political, | economic, juridical, social and educational fields.” The Women’s International Demoe} cratic Federation has made recommendations which very concretely reflected women’ demands to the Commission on the Status of Women. However although we can say that in general the Status of Women Commission hag dealt with questions of women’s rights, we must also admit that during many years of its existence it has abstained from making constructive recommendations on the important problems relating to women’s vital interests. On the 5th February 1952, at its 6th session the UNO Gencral Assembly had te recognise that “The task of the Commission has not been carried out, since the} principle of equal rights for men and women has not yet been universally recognised| and since in many countries women have not yet been guaranteed equal Eights with men.” The Seventh Session of the Status of Women Commission which was held in Sprin; this year in New York, discussed once more the question of equal rights for women, The representative of the W.I.D.F. could not take part in this session because the us| government refused her a visa, thus showing once more their direct interference in} UNO’s affairs. i. The Commission presented to the Social and Economie Council of UNO a report on women’s political rights which the government of the U.S. refused to sign despite the) fact that it did not represent the full demands made by women. i Only the active struggle of women can make the governments pass the laws and take all steps to guarantee women their rights. 4 36 === [PDF page 38] === Duna the Congress: — tne DBrafting. Comat on for the “Declaration of Wamon's. work. From, left to Be Rds. |Aridree! 3 y¥ Capgras CEranee): Andien: ‘Andicen: (Sweden), ‘Extia Petrova (USSR), Hele “Blume (Belgium), Carmen: “ant dtaly), @ delegate: from. Iran, MYS, Jassie Sect (Austral She “unity. whidh has been built. up during the. preparatioa of thts thasnifieent Conaioss, the very composition of the delegations from the: countries, ww the extent BO, which all women ioe inlérested in the winning und defence: of heir rights. Yes. Women want real rights in all fields of life; they want happy homes, ‘free: from anxiety. wbeut the tufue und the danger of a new war, ‘hey are demanding: on dhe ent to: work) “= cau pay for equal: work; oeatry iito and promotion in-all professions; SOUAE Fight ‘ta: Social security; Slate “protection ‘of mothers, creation and exicnsion of- a ‘nelwork: of nurserics, Kudersartens, and. maternity homes; pregnancy and maternity: leave: with pay: egal right sith | men! to. elementary, secondary ‘and: imiversity ¢ducation and professional training; HiGhE to- vate! und ‘to be ‘elected to. alk goveroment bodies Wiihout distinction of nationality, race; language, veligion- eic.; AGHOSS Ha Kesponsidie. positions:in: he -leac-ng. government pedies: edualcivdl rights regarding properly, marriage and chikivert; Fight to vet! up! Democratic Women’s organisations and to thelr 4 AGL these demands can be won. The pisaf of this is that there are “cour: tries where a lawAad Ya Yealliy women are completely equal. members i === [PDF page 39] === D Youth? and sother or -Pights, These-commiite. ‘forward ‘conoreté. demends: and carty' oul actions to win! puble ‘apinion (6 (hale Suppor. PBh is. the! fos" of ‘ota! -COngress, GR INS Basis: OF 6 Tred euchange: dt opinion te “H What decisions an ‘be: talsen cin: common free fol sin: the: demands: whith Ave: he just pot. forwatd,: (he winning ‘of: equal: rishts-far- women in‘all countties: We belleve. thal. the itndin: aid decisive: factor in thé Mahe: foe the Winns Ag detedce of: women's rights -is ‘the building: up: uf ever icloser: Joint action / beaweens women ofrganiscd Ot unarganised. The programme of many: national and interhativunal: organisations: ticuides Aerands for: equal: ‘rights:: for women: Ft ¢ to: see chow - much ‘the: struagica would strengthened: If: the: actions Gt: Hisse: oFsainisntions werd ‘cotrdinated?!)/" In several voun vies: we: can tind exanwles showing ihat different organisations “4 bart tn: corm titess: oi‘ woincn's -rehts ‘and-Sre- fighting: toether tor: thé: imierest wonren, National conferences and: congresses which were: held ‘on ‘the eve of aur magiitice COnpriass: arid: this Congross luself are Sine examples: of: the: ness vof Co-aperat on the: question: of wamen's iphts between various. wiiniea‘s: organisations: Li we sant the pworl ‘for: tie winning and: defends of worich’s Tights ta: evow alt the: Congress: this: co-operation: must be developed: end: strengthened:: The ipresé: situation. is: Liinging suffering to millions of wémen in many counttties who do: not eee see: thuin way: clear to changing il. It is ‘our dot to help: then, th making ‘widely known: the -resulix of the work ‘of cure: Congress and the: demnatt Which will “be put her we! shall “be able to explain ‘id! all women! why and! how: the must fight for their xights: Every delegation, every woman taking part in the: Congie <an,: on her return; wark ‘im: all dountiey: and her possi bili press, radio -aitd: so‘on, sorts of ways and: according: to ithe conditions jin: hi « by “discussion, ‘sinall. mcelings, gatherings, through: the A avent numberof wornew warkers are organised in the trade unions; here they ates fighting: alongside: all: workers, and somelimes occupy! very vesponsibie: posi Loos. Wee pelievo: ‘thai: national: women's: organtsations: nust co-operate: mare ‘closely: with: Ihe trade cunions, especially: on dhe questions of ‘équal: pay tor equal work, against ‘tt employment and the dismissnl of women, for Jubour protection, ‘tot sivladend: fadilitie: tor children, for a decent living: siandard ‘tor all workers; We think that these womeds! Organisations, hy agfeomenty: with workers’ wives and ‘the ‘trace unions: nist: supple the workers! struggles and act in solidavity with them): There dre: numberless peasant wornen: and auticaltural: women workeys ‘who! 2s sireddy fighting: against s1 for a better fe and for progress is the countrysid To: help them: and io vr {i more of thern, it is necessary for women to get: mdi Josey ini tou. witht th, eal sumpers of peasant women, drewing then into Wworner organivations snd hetping them in their. situgele, The detence of the rights pung girls to education, to professional qualifiont io to. wark and.-to ‘the defence of theit dignity canbe strengthened: only with ‘the «6 operation -of women with the youth erganisations. Greater unity with the co-operaiive organisations, with, commiitees set up Te: opp: the high cost of ving, and other Bodies would enable us ia bring into the fight areatel numbers ‘of housewives: wirase daily concern ‘is their houschold budget: Pena The -formg of units among women and of: thelr. work’ rmuuit be! decided ie aac country ton: the hy of its particular conditions. We think. if js possible ‘to sugges some forms? which have proved: effective ini practice: For example, committees for} defenee pf svomen's, xights with the participaiion of various women's: trade union jJors, a8 Welles of prominent yeaple interested: in Wome rights, represent a magnificent fovm-for -the joont! efforts lof. women 4 -Cefend “thed: ean conduct investigations: on: the conditions. of women, pit Ho¢al; regional: or national conferences: of women ini IDMPUStES OHSAiEt Wwanien: ae other sections of: working wonten, in co-aperstion with! the trade! unions. and ‘pe. organisations and drawing in all women and: women’s organisations could be Gran ise towin: publie opinion’ and to ubite the women: wotkers of town and ceunity 38: === [PDF page 40] === Conca in: helping forward: the: eins at ‘06: Hive: ee to: women's 6 Hight tor their right believe each: delegatio:; a: together in: ond: force the: will: of millions “of “wornen. for the wed: or: the hai === [PDF page 41] === On. the: platform, from left: to right; ‘Mime. mugenie Catton. Nina Popova, Monica! === [PDF page 42] === Report presented by Mme. Eugenie COTTON, Prasident of the Women’s International : Democratic Federation e ous feport and the contributions to the discussions ‘which followed have p concern of millions of women about the- conditions imposed on them the breadth oftheir struggle for their rights as mothers, workers and en’s activity’is ‘not limited to this field alone, Discussion around the first evealed that in a large number of countries, the fight for women’s rights he steady deterioration of the conditions of the workers and their families y connected with preparations for a new war, with the armaments race and @ that results from it. the. women of all countries in the world have two very important tasks, irstly, thé common struggle with all. the peoples to safeguard peace and he. fight in defence of children, from the danger of a new~ war, for the ment of their lives and their education in the spirit of democracy. ‘report, I would like to draw your attention to women’s struggles to fulfil 0 tasks; to talk to you about the participation and role of the Women’s Inter- Democratic Federation in the women’s movement; and to present for disproposals relating to the perspectives of this movement: 41 === [PDF page 43] === Today the part which women are taking in the struggle to secure peace between th peoples and the solution of all international problems is-greater than at any of! time in history. In all countries the movement includes women factory workers, peasant womel housewives, women fromthe professions: women from all walks of life and 6 different’ political opinions and religious beliefs. It includes all women, organised 9 not, each of whom realises that if she wants to protect the lives of her children, she has the task of defending peace’and the national. independence of her country, as welll! as her rights and democratic liberties. 1 Throughout the ‘world tens of millions of women of. different organisations. hi aroused to action millions of others, who, while belonging to no organisation, have never-the-less realised that they can, no longer remain aloof from the-life of the work As with the whole movement of the peoples to safeguard peace, the women’s mo ment came into being as the result of the disturbing international situation, whi developed after the end of World War II. During the second World War, the peoples fought to defeat the aggressors and” defend the national independence of their countries without sparing their stren; and with no thought as to their sacrifices. They believed that after the, war th would be lasting peace between the peoples. They had high hopes of. U.N.O., whos Charter expresses as one of its aims “the development of friendly relations betw the nations based on the respect of the principle of equal rights between the peo: and their right to self-determination and to take all’ other steps to consolidate pe; in the world”. But they were deceived in their hopés..New aggressive forces appea: on the international scene to threaten peace and the national independence of thei peoples. Wars were ‘started against the peoples of Vict-Nam and Malaya; and. ‘th years ago there began the war against the Korean people. These ‘aggressive forces set up. various military coalitions. They establis strategic. bases in many countries, They rearmed Western Germany and revive militarism in Japan.,They intervene in the affairs of other countries, stifle the econ mies of these countries,establish foreign troops on_ their. Bon and thus deprive then of their national sovereignty. At the same time, the armaments race is being. speeded up, factories devoted peaceful production stop working, the living standards of the workers are falling, their rights and liberties are attacked. The \budgets of several countries are in effect war budgets. This has been before, but, I: take the liberty, of drawing your attention once again to, the fact in several countries, the major part of the state budget is devoted to: war preparatioi In 1953, 73/0 of the United States budget is given for military purposes; in Grei Britain 38 °/o; in France 45.%/o; in Italy 36%; in Greece 75°/o; in Spain 80 °%/0; in Yuge slavia 75 %o; in Turkey 60 °/o; in Japan 72°/o. Thus every year. tremendous wealth: being swallowed up at the expense of allocations for the welfare.of the populatio: health, education, housing, ete. The military budgets take.a heavy toll of family livi conditions. In the United States, one third of the workers’ wages disappear in. taxé in. France, a worker gives three months of his wages for a year’s taxes on articles ( consumption, and in Italy.4 months, On every cup of milk, on every lump ‘of ‘su; given. by ‘a mother to her child, there is a tax for war preparations. The women.on whom, in fact, falls the responsibility for the welfare of their hom are growing. more and more aware of the ies for them -to participate actively in world. 42: === [PDF page 44] === 4 ie caaee ae 4 “Biitish tanks have razed to the tind the village of Kafr Ahmed Atdou.(Egypt) after chasing the a inhabitants out. fhe of American occupation in Italy. “New aggressive forces menacing peace and national eae of the peoples have appeared on the international arena.. (Page 42). 43 === [PDF page 45] === national independence and peace, Signing of the Stockholm Appeal in Great-Britain. Det aaa March by of the women of the port of Saint Nazaire (Atlantic harbour) at a gathering of French women, On the posters ‘No more landing of armaments in Saint Nazaire, united all women will oppose it for the life of, their little ones‘. A delegation of Geneva women (Switzerland) at the Embassy of the USA, protesting against aggression and massacres in Korea. “The present participation of women in the fight for safeguarding the peace among the peoples, for the solution of all international problems is without precedence in history.’ (Page 42.) 44 === [PDF page 46] === id Foie of women, pafticipation “in: sthikes arid! wid ‘to Idren and mobilisation === [PDF page 47] === INS; We Wanted ‘to OUR soll” vacations or ‘to ‘study “presence here sclosed ‘to:you: and ‘our faces: hostile Last: October: the We want 10: Jive “An Belgium, the “thousands: of -wo === [PDF page 48] === THOS a: des, SOHERL ATION of MWORMEB pete cebetestins: Seainete the ehnelasion- of amily pact eA ihe Wnty ‘text: States, “Wecwill fight’ says: the final resolution, “with: all- our: energies: tor: the -Hberty and Satiohal. independence of our countries, for thi: fade and independent. developrnent at SUE copnddiy, for the ight ‘to ‘maintain trade revattons: with alk countries, for. our poliileal liberties, antl for.our amtional bedikiens: anc cultare,” In Chile more than 10,000 -wamon ‘took part. in a demonstration against the bilateral Peel concluded: with the Uniled. Staies. The ‘wornda ‘sche ‘letidis: of peotest! tu. the Amberg of parliament against the signing of this millers. pret Women of ‘te whole world arc’ deeply ‘snxious at the thought that the ‘two: explasive cenéres OY the last war might once ddgaiii set Europe and Asia aflame. They are Sherefore” Gatling: fox ihe solution. by negoliations «tu the: -Cicrman: and -fapanese Problems. The women af Germany dre fighting: actively for. the unification and: independence S& thee countrys they are: opposing: thé Bonn: and Pavis treaties: whieh are contrary S00 U8 aspiration ‘of ‘the peoples for: peace: anid: national: INndependwtice.: -Despie the peohUsition ot the seferendum agains! ‘the Bonn treaties; the women of West Germany VE beer amoliy the Gest: collectors of the ‘13: million: slenatimes collected. Mothers’ commit are being. orparised: against ‘the -reemitmment of lads into the === [PDF page 49] === ‘At: the: border: of the P. ‘The women of the German Democratic Republic are working enthusiastica y for economic development of their country and for the welfare of their peop i Throughout the whale of Germany, the women want to see the speedy. onelu of A just peace treaiy with a unified, peaceful; democratic and sovereign. Germany. The women of the countries bordering on Germany also oppose the ratificatio the Bonn | and Paris treaties and the remilitarisation OE West Germany. A peace “solution of the German PEPE isiin the basic interest of the & people of Barop of the whole world. 3 ‘In France there is developing a broad movement oe ‘protest at the policy 3 encourages remilitarisation of West Germany and the revival of the forces: of former enemies of the French people: Phe French women’ launched an appeal’ united struggle against the Bonn and Paris treaties on? March: 8th assuxing security and independence of France and unification: and 2 peace treaty Germany: | - In. Holand, the Dutch Women’s: movement. emphasized” the. danger “which: E BeGneieRuon “of an army in West Germany constitutes for. their country, at]. mieefings held in celebration of March 8th this: year: = Poland; which’ is rebuilding its: destroyed ‘cities: with <4 a that arouses “admiration of the whole world; supporis the struggle of the German people tor ‘unity ‘ot their: country. Friendship meetings of Polish and German women at the © Weisse: frontier Pave « Sealed ‘their common: determitiation to preserve peace. === [PDF page 50] === mn Japati, the worrien ‘are: fighting: actively against a further ‘transformation of their Santry: into. wir aggressive bases. their: fecling fs redlected: in letters: from: women ssrembers of parliament ‘to’ John Foster’ Dullés ake went to Japait in: Peeruary Lo5b: eWie ant to Gevelop:dapan and: mate ‘it/a truly. democratic. nation wotthy of cone: dence Wee do aot: want if tobe a country -undex -miktary:control:’: ‘The. Tokyo Mothers’. Assdeiation ‘is collecting signatures against conscription: “Ia: Apet this: year og xgomon’s:Orednisations came together.to torn the Fedoraiion of. Paparesé: Women’s ‘Organisattons, whieh fights for the peace und Independence of their country. Pemocrati¢e reforms in North Korea had brought equal rights, to ‘fac women -atler ine Rberation tram Japanese tyrdnny: ‘The¥ ‘and: contrinuted: mitch. 10 lhe Belding: of spe@ucdite-in their country: But: ta -oful construction Was. rudely interrupted -by. miined Uitervention With. their whole: people, the. women of Korea ‘hove cn: ig Agen the Uves of thetrichildren, tite. lite of their country. 2 8oe threeyears,.that country..which used to. be known as: “that Janid® af.caim sOrM Ag” nas experienced the most: lerrible. ordeals. fournalists what witnessed the eginNINgs Ofthe war ut onte pointed out that the objective of ihe war was fot only. qo conouer armies but “vo bring about the physical destruction of a peaple”’. fncthe moving: letter: thatthe Korean: Union.of Bemacra Women, with: its 2 million membership, wrote to the WUUD.F, on Januury 5th 1851, it could. be: seen Mab thesoinicntions’ ci the eventy had, alas, become realilies' “F¥6m thelr tivst attack on (he North, the age ons regarded as objeciives, not military objectives, bul peace- Su foWng and: | Ville: Theiy -bulfets: from the start were pecially: aimed at old people swoemen ‘and children.” SRolograph it the covet ‘of the. POR OY. HG. TAternattenal Bomen's Conmission | ito. ie PRATIENLG “Atrocities ‘in|. Korea. is Report was pabusaert ct Jabeladas. and thousands ‘ct Ee ODIUS -wrope Farts === [PDF page 51] === In response to the appeal in this letter from the Korean women, the W.I.D.F. in ¢ spring of 1951 invited women of different political opinions and creeds, who testimony ¢ould not be disputed to go to Korea to investigate the crimes commit Representatives from 17 countries responded to this initiative and set up the fi: commission which established verification of the crimes committed. Many of them a with us here—Mesdames Kathe Fleron and Ida Bachman of Denmark, Monica Felt of Great Britain, Lilli Wachter of Germany, Candelaria Rodriguez of Cuba, Abas: Fodil of Algeria, Bai Lang of China, Maria Ovsiannikova of the USSR, The report they made when they returned constituted a terrible accusation. Th: report was sent to all the U.N. bodies and all delegations, to every government in ¢ world and to thousands of personalities and organisations. It was printed in 24 guages and circulated in hundreds of thousands of copies. Because they were maki: known the truth and, because they were everywhere arousing protests against the} war, several members of the Commission were threatened with prosecution as for} example Mrs. Rodd of Canada and Monica Felton of Great Britain, or summoned. before the courts, like Candelaria Rodriguez of Cuba, or imprisoned like Lilli Wachti of West Germany. The work of this Commission enabled hundreds of thousands of people to reali the barbarity of the methods being -used in Korea and to realise that the war was 4 The world wide horror was to increase still further when President Kuo Mo informed Frederic Joliot-Curie, President of the World Council of Peace, that sine@ the beginning of 1952 bacteriological warfare was.waged by the American army Korea and in North China. The news appeared to be so monstrous that people refused to believe it. But repeated evidence, given by the International Lawyers Commission (April 1952), by Yves Farge (May 1952), and finally by the Scientific Commission of Investigation which included Dr. Andreen, President of the W.I.D.F.’s organisation in Sweden,’ makes it possible any longer to doubt the truth, confessed, in addition, by ° the: captured flyers. Causing epidemics in a country ravaged by war is a way of destroying the pop: lation of whole ‘regions, and it is the vilest and most cunning method of all. T women of the whole world have unde! stood the anxiety of the Korean and Chinese mothers at the peril which, at an: moment, the smallest insect may bring to their families who have already suffered so cruelly by bombing raids and especially i the terrible napalm raids. “To cause epidemics in a country destroyed b, ‘war is a means of annihilating the population 0: whole regions and it is the most odious mean: of all.” === [PDF page 52] === soutien: Ot Rote POaE ERG COST GE EAE: G34: WasievoUs “Saerilieds, invincible: sirugele alone with thelr whole pédple; onal racuendence. They ace net-ontly: defending their: carn: right to: life and oer ado the right. of their own vehildvent to “hesuN and: Galtures thee aie! alsa defending the u es ot the: wamert and cece of allicoumtries. Wher the: woinen af j rin serea, ai the:sametime defend thei hopes, the hives of: their « OWN cndeen, @HG. Wark peace. cA especially. powertu_ struggle: hag: bee: candaci TOO THe: -CounL él OF RAS e America, In Argentine ‘teos of thousands: of: peonie have -demonstiated: under: the ans; Suet the Korea people duckie: their -qum 4 toc: {heniselves's “We: do: not Want pufisops to: be semt to Korea’: In Cuba me é B-bott _ commini i ges have heen set up-to cppuse {he eoxiding Gf troops at inst the sending of. ‘Koved. For having: cary rd during. tH. ef said: Chie algicr sons: shall mpver co to: Korea’, Elva Branca, holdes Gf the: Stalin: Pe PYizec Was ser: io. ptisen fdr: 2 as. The people's opoosition -fias: beer ‘so: pawertut abate soldier from: Latin iA ica wita ‘the exepption: of Colorblild, NAY héeit séni: 16 Bigs. Ths snoveniant: 6: 3.he! niethe against the. sending of their sons: io Kares: has develobed inccertals, other. countries,. fox example te) Lurkes. Women and mathe: agsem Bled itt the: purt of Srasroa at the departare of one ef ihe ships, sHowting! us ack nue worst!”: in abrsatcPistaly ana the Usted. States women ace Sighting for he! retaen of ‘they hsbands nnd: sons and in’ Great Britain tho movement to end Aho wwar it: Korea. nas SOR ORB OV BMipal ly DutiGnad: character. Very many: organisecions,: including: the Wane: Conpperaiive ‘Guild, Rave: several limes: passed rssalutions- demanding | an Bamedziate: ceneefire.:: The Navonal “Assembly of Women: ix condueting x Vigorous continaoug! canipaign $e ehdihe the. wat if “Korea. (is Chatiman, Mes. Monica: Felton, ‘sinec her ‘refucn Sonaores has: courageously mars knows to Relish: people the Uriah: about this Saxcand Whe alrocitiics whieh are being ‘commitied S880: Botabhs and Hiseet === [PDF page 53] === xcheson's ‘visit. A doles 1s been io: Barliar to demand: their return; a large delegation ational Assembly. went te: the: Ta y var: that he was. elected: Pri hy ae movement: = : ae “addition: ‘to the aiready existing and «de “Women. for Peace and: “Minute WOnIG for Fens parts of ‘the country avhto: ‘collected 80,000: signatures: for eadine. the’ wea Save our-Sons—which was started in Wlindis by the: parent 3 trated the ade unio! Workers: Local 1010 ofthe €. 1-0) passed ‘a’ resolution saying; “Our: 1953 shall seq’ an end. to the war in Korea so that all mothe as See ueaty: ane per === [PDF page 54] === Corps Hits the: opening: of Beare: nego ations vith the tic: Republic Gt Viet-Names ion ot Trovch “Women ‘and: the ‘wornen. ‘of: the General Confederadon ol eee the Hoekexs whe: Tetuse: fo. doad armaments: They: have: oreanised against the pues Have Bech ‘anbuel Dy. the: ddekers” wi 5 wb. have conti bally: refused: to: load’ weapons and war ma ope 3 ‘Army: th he still ¢ OCU vito. the army, the Reh: agai === [PDF page 55] === rs’ grow. Te: ral Eee erss the weluable produe ‘and national liberation: We want to imple bE the Chin Si = ee who played is today. cocoaging the women of other count eoywhere Tor national: independenc Br === [PDF page 56] === = One of the many ‘preparat Serious“ economic: probierig (4 oO Iie: wars: being === [PDF page 57] === In Iran, the movement of the women for the independence of their country growing in strength and size; it is developing under the following slogans: “Iran mu not.be included in the military bloc’—*No military bases on our territory’’—“T} budget must be used for health and education, and not for armament-.”’ On March 8th this year in Lebanon, it was decided at women’s meetings to ask t government to reject the plan for a “Middle East Pact”, to refuse the “aid” of tl 4-point Truman programme and to reject any other plan whatever which would: involve foreign occupation of the country. ie 3 In Syria, in Iraq, where the women’s democratic organisations have been bann the women organise many meetings protesting against foreign interference in the lit of their country. In Transjordan, demonstrations of women have taken place under the sloga: “Long live peace in the world’-—“Down with the 4 Points’—“Down with the Mutual: Defence Plan.”. Women were in the forefront of the fight in Egypt during the Suez Canal incident: They support the opposition of their whole people to the inclusion of Egypt in aggre; sive pacts. Bs The women of Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and other countries of Africa are playing: a more and more important part in the fight of their peoples for national indepe dence, In Tunisia, an Investigating Commission of the Union of Women of Tunisia sen a shocking report to the U.N.O. on the atrocities committed by French troops Cap Bon—pillage, rape, murder and the slaughter of babies.. The women of Kenya sent a petition to the Queen of England, telling her how the: are forced to sleep in the bush with their children for fear of the police who treat them with brutality, “Our children”, they wrote, “are starving as the result of the confiscation of the cattle, sheep, goats and other property in the name of ‘collective: punishment’. The government of Kenya has closed our independent schools.” The: demanded a Commission of Investigation on “the very grave and unjust situation: which prevails in Kenya.” s In South Africa, the women are taking part in the growing movement agains’ racial laws; many women have been sent to prison, but that does not stop thei oppression and: the involving: of Egypt imto, aggressive pacts. 56 === [PDF page 58] === at policy instead ‘Of settling fle the voice: of the: peoples. They ectings, refuse visas. take awa i fronts of a train » Elisa Branco... who! are solutions::-: === [PDF page 59] === The Soviet women are devoting themselves to win peaceful victories, in utilising all their capacities and energies for creative work, In their fight for national independence and peace, the women of the whole worl have been supported by the example and the friendship of Soviet women who them? selves are making a great contribution to the cause of peace. country. I myself went to the Soviet Union for the first time in 1946; among the wome: who greeted me, there were many who had lost one of their dear ones, and all of the had only one thought—to work from then on to consolidate the peace which they had! won so dearly, often in the actual fighting itself. This was the whole country’s ambi tion as demonstrated, for example, in a symbolic picture which stays in my memor:! showing a Red Army soldier presenting his flag to a worker, as. if to give him the tas’ of carrying it to victory in his turn, to a great victory for peace. ‘In 1950 I saw the prodigious changes which had already taken place. I speciall welcomed the building of the tremendous university in Moscow, which dominates thé whole city just as Soviet science itself dominates the work of the entire country. It is. indeed, in order day by day to bring peaceful victories that the Soviet wome! work in all spheres alongside the men, increasing the production in the factories, gathering in rich harvests, working on and sometimes directing great construction projects, making scientific discoveries, writing books, creating works of art, and: educating their children in the spirit of respect for other-peoples. They firmly believes in the possibility of the co-existence of different regimes and the co-operation of? peoples, and in that spirit they enthusiastically participate in all international actions! taken to secure a lasting peace. In the words of Olga Lepinchinskaya, the great scientist whose recent. discoveries: open up the possibility of prolonging human life: “We Soviet scientists aspire to lengthen the span of human life, we are for peace, for peace pacts, for Socialism, for: 58: === [PDF page 60] === ahd: prepared: to: thake. ae Tardest 6 sactie. tute: here. thie heroic ee af: millions and miltions:af Chin ir country fox emancipation. T salute them for the new selping - to: pu id In their: country, so long under for ign. Occupalion and: Wwerty. The Se wt the cotitey: 8 dudusets sation: an the egritian: === [PDF page 61] === These three children became the symbol-of the International Conference in Defence of Childre}: held in Vienna, April 1952, which united 558 delegates from 64 countries. 60 === [PDF page 62] === , instead of preparing for © war, homes, ° factories; schools, nurseries, clinics and hospitals are being built. In entering into production, the. women king for the wélfare of their peoples. “In. building up your. country you peace’that is the slogan of the Committee of Czechoslovakian Women in. “ f the country. In Hungary, in the houges.and streets where all the.women. accomplished a definite task for. their country,. these houses and streets are “Peace houses” and “Peace streets”, en of. Poland, Rumania, Bulgaria, Albania, the German Democratic i¢ and. the Mongolian People’s Republic, in tackling’ these tasks, are overeiudiees which are a heritage of the past: The Defence of Children m Who\are coming together to save peace are motivated by the supreme: desire ‘ard the future of their children. And it is not only protection from war that ren yequire..At all times, women have surrounded thoir helpless little ones derness, for in order to. make them healthy men and women, ‘they must be for. and guarded from illness, This is the first concern of mothers: Later, their tion. must be supervised, they must be taught in such a way that their. natural es May be developed to the full.. They must be equipped to enter the sphere thich best suits their abilities. jome countries the development of the child is left in the hands of the family, fand the doctor. More and greater efforts are continually being made to he: fruitful cooperation between school and. family, by organizing meetings of Ysand parents and by close cooperation between the »school and doctor. unately, as we'have seen, war preparations are at present disrupting the ‘of many countries; the allocations necessary. for education and health are inadequate, Similary the parents’. wages are too low and living accommodtoo: small'for the children to be. properly housed and fed. Even by making great ices mofhers are unable to’secure the necessities for their children. light of this situation, the. W.1I.D.F.. at its Council in, 1949- decided: that it take all the necessary steps to transform the anxiety of women and mothers oordinated and clear.action which would:force governments to face up to their lities with regard to the problems of children and which demands increased. ae the protection of children by means of the maximum reduction of military itures, © “all women and mothers’ to take part in. these activities, bs showing them heir children’s happiness lies first and foremost in their own hands;‘to win for all who are concerned with children’s problems, to make all humanity alive problems of children and to the future of the. peoples; everywhere) to rally re dangers. whith threaten the right to life, health and education of the fthe world; these were the aims which the women of the W.LD.F. set them-' deciding to celebrate June 1st every year-as International Children’s Day. ghty demonstrations on International Children’s Day in 1950 showed the deep Children of honest men in’ all countries. “We won more members: and. coed with more people than ever before”; was the report of the great majority of ational. organisations. ‘twas, in fact, the first time that famous personalities in’ the fields of medicine, n, the sciences, the. arts. and the different churches: left the circle of their 8p a activities to ‘support the activity of “the big organisations standing for proof children, 951, the celebration of International Children’s Day was an even greater success” 1950. Warm support was given to the idea of an International Conference in nee of Children: which, would. enable men and women from all countries * to ge Experiences and discuss the possibilities of improving conditions for children. this way that an invitation signed by the various personalities from ies. was forwarded-to all parts of the world: ny countries very full investigations were made into the living, health and conditions of children. Very varied conferences were’ held on problems 0 children,. and local activity..was undertaken in order to. obtain certain, 61 === [PDF page 63] === improvements for the children—the building of nurseries or classrooms, grants holiday camps, etc. All this preparatory work contributed to the great success of the Internati Children’s Conference, held in Vienna in April 1952, which assembled 558 deleg; from 64 countries. To describe this conference to you. I cannot do better than read part of the Appe: which was adopted unanimously. “Tens of millions of children, the most preci wealth of humanity, are to-day a prey to hunger, ignorance, fear and death.” ~ “Thousands of parents in Japan and Syria are forced by poverty, to sell t children; in countries such as India and Egypt, exceptionally rich in cotton, child: have-no clothes to wear; in many countries, in spite of legislation, children are. demned from their earliest years to earn their poor livelihood by working. luxurious carpets made in Iran for the rich people of the world are woven by | little hands of thousands of starving children. Further, throughout Africa, in Latin America, in a large part of Asia, countries immense natural wealth, millions and millions of children are without sufficient bre; shelter or care; more than half of them die before two or three years of age with becoming aware of what it means to be alive. The others will live in ignorance, ff 1952, one half of mankind is unable to read or. write. To these sufferings must be added the growing suffering of many children in Eur and America.” These unjust sufferings undergone by so many children are always before us. Ani at the same time one thinks of what the lives of young people could be like, if 1) governments devoted all their attention to these things to which youth has a right, is done for example in the Sovict Union, The Conference posed the problem of children in its widest aspect and in co! nection with all the great human questions dependent upon it. The Conference, which united men and women often very far apart in their politi and religious ideas, unanimously declared that our great duty towards children is assure them of the right to life, to health and to education, which depends upon th need to maintain world peace. The effectiveness of an undertaking can be judged by the scope of its result, Upon returning from Vienna, the delegates to the Children’s Conference gave ma reports of it to national conferences, which decided ‘to undertake actions and cam paigns corresponding to the children’s.most urgent needs. We would like to quot some examples which prove what excellent work can be achieved when people of goo! will unite to act in common. In France the “National Movement in Defence Children” concerned itself with the serious problem causéd by the inadequacy educational grants. It is demanding the opening of more ‘classes from the Publ Authorities and is conducting’a week of activity in defence of holiday camps. ‘Thi Union of French Women which plays a very active part in the children’s moveme is joined with various other organisations, at the same time undertaking a gr campaign for an increase in family allowances. This demand is’ also being’ made ii Canada. The question of holiday camps has also come up in Norway. The Union of Italiar Women also gives much attention to it. Last year 16 regional conferences were hel on this -subject. In Italy; at the beginning of this year, a Permanent Council i Defence of Children called a conference on education, There are 85,000 classes to few, yet 100,000 teachers are out of work. The Conference demanded that a health: and democratic education should be assured to all children. In Denmark, the probl of education was the theme of the second national children’s: conference, In Irai a large number of mothers’ committees support the activities of the national children: zommittee. by fighting for schools, hospitals, and medical assistance for women an children. In a great number of countries, in Great Britain, Western Germany, Austral: Indonesia, to mention a few, the campaigns against trashy literature and bad fil received a great response, uniting the most varied personalities. 62 === [PDF page 64] === Pa e: decided The chil Fen atfaio Stadium. === [PDF page 65] === Between Congresses, the Council and Executive Committee are the leading bodies of W.LD.F, This photograph shows a large public gathering during the Berlin Council se: in February 1951. § In Great Britain, for instance, a very broad movement has grown throughout country against the importation of millions of American-type comics which tend pervert the minds of the children, Parents, teachers and many social workers have united to demand that the impor tion of these comics should cease. In London a conference was recently held by t! National Committee for the Defence of Children to protest against bad literature which Naomi Mitchison, the wellknown novelist, spoke as well as teachers and jo nalists.; In Manchester a representative committee recently collected many hundred signatu! protesting against the bad influence of comics and at the extensive sale of war-li toys. Many local councillors and members of Parliament have given their support. International Children’s Day, adopted at the Conference in Vienna, enables us‘ support the just claims of children every year. It was prepared with great enthusia: in many countries in 1953. 3 Role of the W.1. D.F. At the beginning of this Congress we have seen the activities which women. ha’ undertaken to win and defend their rights. We have recalled just now what they ha done in defence of peace and of children, Throughout these different activities have seen emerging the role played by the W.1.D.F. r As expressed in the pledge taken by those who attended its Foundation Congre: their aims are actually “to defend women’s economic, political, civil and social righ’ so that the essential conditions fer the harmonious and happy development of ot children and of future generations may be created, so that fascism in. all. its for can be annihilated forever, so that true democracy may be established throughout t whole world; io fight unceasingly to ensure a lasting peace in the world, as the guarantee of the happiness of our homes and the full development of our children” Similary, its aims are to “strengthen friendship and unity between the women 9: the whole world.” 64 === [PDF page 66] === ob bs Be ard Laat‘ orn the POTELY BC %. Tumor peak 85: === [PDF page 67] === The W.I.D.F. brings together women’s organisations, women’s sections of tri union and co-operative organisations, cultural and other associations defen women’s interests. These organisations themselves bring together women of div political opinions, philosophical or religious ideas, from different social regime During the 8 years of its existence it has grown continuously, the number of countrigs - in which it has national organisations has risen from 40 to 65. Each year new women} organisations join its ranks because our aims correspond with the deepest interest of all women, a The authority of the W.1I.D.F. springs from its activity and from its faithfulness { the aims it has outlined. The W.I.D.F. represents a very great strength through its very existence, by the of women throughout the whole world to celebrate International Women’s Day. Th number of women who mect together on March 8th in answer to our appeal grows: with each year and each year there is an increase in the number of countries whi¢ celebrate International Womens’ Day. On March 8th the women are rallied arour for their children. It gives each woman the feeling of having an invincible streng! to realise that she is together with thousands of other women and that on the sami day, under the same sky, millions of women are meeting, with common problem: struggles and joys. 4 Since its foundation the W.I.D.F. as well as its member organisations have fough persistently for the winning and defence of women’s rights in all countries. Toda: Ya we pledge ourselves to take every step possible to enable us to unite all organisations and to bring together millions of women for the achievement of the demands pre. sented in the first report made to this Congress, on the winning and defence of} women’s rights as mothers, workers and citizens. The W.I.D.F. has always supported the principles inscribed in the Charter of the: United Nations. It contributes to the work of the Commission on the Status of Women) in its capacity as a non-governmental organisation. It has made suggestions to various; commissions connected with the Economic and Social Council and has protested to. the responsible bodies in numerous cases of non-application of the principles of the U.N.O. It is regrettable that the difficulties created for the W.I.D.F. whenever the U.N. O. holds its session in New York have prevented it from participating as effec! ively as it might have done in various sessions. $ In 1946 the W.I. D. F. initiated a campaign of aid to child victims of war. Since the: many other activities in defence of children have been conducted, on a national ag well as on an international level, for example the campaign of aid to Korean childre: At meetings of its ‘leading bodies, it has called on the national organisations to: intensify their actions for children. As we have seen, it was the initiator of Inter=: national Children’s Day and gave most active support to the International Conferen: in Defence of Children, i The W.I.D.F. came into being immediately after the last world war, arising out the determination of women to unite their efforts irrespective of national boundaries and throughout the world, to preserve their homes and children from the horrors a new war. Since then it has taken many steps to support all proposals for peace, disarmament and understanding between the peoples. In 1948, the Manifesto of the second International Women’s Congress appealed to women of all countries saying: “A great historical responsibility to our children, t our peoples and to humanity is laid upon us. If we women, and we constitute one half of humanity, organise ourselves into a strong unit against the instigators of a° new war, there will be no war.” The W.1I.D.¥F. was one of the initiators of the first World Congress of the Partisat of Peace. Our national organisations in all countries have helped to develop the pea movement. They belong to the national and local peace committees and often a responsible for starting them up. 66 === [PDF page 68] === MOR: puDea won “OF the: WALD Women Ot: the Ww wines and. pampsicts published bY: Women’s: Of ganizations in: Wifitrent: vountries, - helps: 16. Unite -wornen for: the: detence oF: ii HMghts, thely: children, and for peace, = === [PDF page 69] === The W.1.D.F. adopted the. Stockholm Appeal, which called for the prohibit: the use of the atom bomb. With all its strength it supported the Appeal for a PB Pact between the 5 Great Powers, which. states the responsibility-of the govern: and the task of the peoples in regard to their governments, You will recall that since the beginning of the war against the Korean peop! W.1,D.F, has constantly appealed fo women to act to demand the end ‘of thi The W.1.D.F. was the first to send.a Commission’ of Investigation, to. Korea, in spring of 1951, and. since’ then. with -all its national organisations, it has conduct campaign for the banning of bacteriological-weapons and’ for a cease-fire in Kor The W.1.D.F.,. which in 1949 called the Conference of Women of the Countries, with its national organisations, has given its constant support to all ae for the development of international understanding. For example, in the cow the last, year, it took part in the Conference for Peaceful Solution of the Ger: Problem and in’ the Peace Conference of the Asiatic and Pacific Countries, In preparation for the Congress of the Peoples for Peace, the Executive Comn of the W.1.'D, F, launched an: appeal to the women of the whole world, which translated into more than 50 languages and circulated in hundreds, of. thousand: copies. ' Due to the accumulation of patient work since the First Peace’ Congress, muc which was done by women, the Congress in Vienna was able to: be,in the real se a Congress of the Peoples—a.Congress ‘where men and women of widely diffe: views, were united by their sole desire to find a solution which would prevent fo: peoples the catastrophe of war, The strengthening © of friendship and solidarity between’ all women,. whic W.I:D.F. has always regarded. as one of its tasks, has been carried out in. the « of meetings and visits organised in more than 35 countries, on all continents. It. is clear that the meetings between German women and the women of neighbouring countries have helped towards ‘an understanding of the German pro! which can help to bring about the peaceful solution of this problem; ‘ In the same. way, the visits of many delegations to the Soviet Union, ‘ Poland Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania and the People’s Republi China, and the visits of women from those countries to other countries, when visas were. granted them, have enabled. women living. under different ‘politie: regimes to get to» know. one another better. and to appreciate one» anot It is’ unity which is the necessary condition for defending women’s rights, saving children and establishing peace, and the possibilities for unity. were never so great they are now. We could quote many examples from every country where the’ broa agreement has been achieved on one or another question vital to women. ‘ ae The National Conference of Working Women of Finland, for example, which ‘ held recently, brought together 600 delegates. of various political opinions, only 70: whom were members of our national organisation. At the Congress of Italian Wot convened by. the Union of Italian Women, ‘women ‘personalities and representati of other women’s organisations participated. The different Jocal or national conferent of working women, of peasant; women, of the wives of unemployed men, of mot of conscripts, and the conferences and committees in defence of women’s rights, the dignity of the women’s press, and in defence of children are examples of abroad and very valuable. unity. On an international level, a number. of organisations*such as the Women’s. operative Guilds, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and International Alliance of Women have adopted resolutions at their congresses favour of. disarmament, against weapons of mass destruction, demanding: that governments ratify the Geneva Convention forbidding germ warfare, for an armi in’ Korea, for-a meeting of the’ 5 Great Powers, for the development of East-Weé trade, and.so on, as well as resolutions on, the rights of women, Such: resolut: reflect the aspirations of all women, and ‘it is certain that if unity were achieved carry them-out, the causes of the defence of peace, of children and of the right: women would win. decisive victories.: \ On several oceasions we have invited other organisations to co-operate on one’ another special aspect of our activity. 68 === [PDF page 70] === delegation of German women in Soviet Union. Meetings and visits ‘ganised in more than 35 countries om all continents strengthen friendhip’ and solidarity between — the ‘women. ‘oday, from the platform of this Congress convened by the W.I.D.F., in which taking part delegations representing very different trends of opinion, and repretatives of organisations which do not belong to the W.I.D.F., we propose to define basis for common activities which would assure the strengthening and expansion the world women’s movement. ‘he first report and the discussion which followed it have already given us an tunity to work out together the programme of activity for the winning of equal $, and for the creation of conditions which make it possible to enjoy these rights all countries. ‘or the defence of children, we propose the adoption of the general decisions included i@ Appeal issued by the International Conference which was held in Vienna and hich we have already referred in this report: ‘Let us devote all our strength and unite our efforts to ensure for the children of world the right to life, to health, and to moral and intellectual development. Let us obtain from the governments the guarantee of these rights, let us ensure laws be passed everywhere protecting children, and that existing laws be applied. t us demand that an important part of budgets be set aside for social and Ultural needs, for the protection of mothers and children, instead of being devoted armaments. et us denounce and condemn publicly the stimulation of racism, violence and rin certain children’s publications and cinema and radio programmes. ‘Let us also denounce all instruction which tends to encourage war propaganda.” order to put these resolutions into effect, let us undertake to build National ren’s Committees in our countries and to strengthen those which exist. 69 === [PDF page 71] === The skntcin ations s Standing < irom: Le ‘Lala: Flarovska; Kahn,:: German. Candelaria: Roaris four pale «03 Lui Chibt yang, naliman ‘Tunisia, The Conpress of the Peoples, where delegates from 85 mountnies, “gpoke the: 3 ‘of more ihan one Ralf ef humanity, asked ‘the goverments of the United States; Union of Socialist Soviet Republi the: People’s Republic | of o ine;: ‘Great: Brit and France to conclude a Peace Pe: RES: “The ‘Congress of the Peoples elected @ Commission to earry out This Commission, which met last March 16th ‘and 17th, seni Cong 8 of the Peoples to the 5° Great Powers and: at the cee ‘other governments of the move in repard ‘the fact that the San Franriseo Charter gave ihe’ Great Femers | é Dil tor: the! preservation of peace: The governments of Ching and: the Soviet Union have alreaay replied fovoura ta: President Jobot Cune The governments of the United ‘Slates, Great Brifan Prance: have: not given any: direct answer to the proposal af the Cony SS or. Peoples: “Cammission. Stops: have been: taken “recestly: aimed ne cclliing hited international quest Leaders of the Soviet: Government have niade Statements. expressing the opin. that: there are ao unsettled or disputed questions whieh can be settled: by. negat of Chiog and’ the! People’s Republic Mod on the resumption: of negotiations === [PDF page 72] === Sowia’ in’ June | 1981. : men “and women ‘anderstand that the time: tae tome: e. irit of negotiation: === [PDF page 73] === National independence is the right of all peoples; by defending the independence; their own country, and in refusing to serve as the instrument of war policy, the peoy defend peace and must be supported by all other peoples. One of the fundamen tasks of women is to fight for the national independence of their countries, for right of every people to self-determination, to live according to its own laws, an struggle to ensure that the governments defend the national sovereignty of t countries and respect the national independence of other peoples. Peace can be strengthened by establishing friendly co-operation among the peop in the economic and cultural spheres. We women must express’ ourselves in favo of co-operation and friendship between all peoples, whatever the regime und which they live. You see, dear friends, how necessary unity is for the carrying out of the g tasks which this Congress places upon us, and in which the women of the world deeply interested. Through unity we have already achieved some successes, which we Have h about in this Congress; and it is in unity that we must make new gains. Let us prove through our work that we are worthy of the rights we want to enj to the full, and let us unite to win them in all countries. Let us, in unity, defend the sacred rights of all the children in the world. oa And finally, let us unite in ever greater numbers and with ever more resolutidjg to take part in the establishment of a just peace. f LONG LIVE THE UNITY AND FRIENDSHIP OF THE WOMEN OF THE WHOLE WORLD! A view of the Copenhagen Congress from the top of the tribune: Many women from Swedél Norway and Denmark, who took an important part in the Congress, are sitting in the rows of seats above. i === [PDF page 74] === Al Micw' of the: Platform, The delegates speak... =. Extracts from. the speeches + === [PDF page 75] === “The holding: of 1% aly Dekmark: More a: great: problem, teLion ot these & Out of the’ mi for induced abor Dui me the past years a umber of reforms has seen the te Subsidised: building of homes for large failies: -Rent Subsidies for large famlics: Various Kinds of tax and rate Saale school Peek. centres sete AIL of which are: alowed darge establishes ‘and subsidies to cover part of the running expenses, a Free health control for children vom birth until they leave school, An arrangem for the replacing of housewives when the: wife is I, as well as when the childr a mother who w: outside her home are ill cic, In addition: fo such general measures for the benetit: of families with ‘chile Special measuves & ken tb support pregnant women and women with infant.The Housing: Subsidising Legislation has not been ‘able to xelieve the pr desperate lack of suitable, cheap housing facilities. for families with many child and for unmarficd mothers with one child idy xegulations for: | t ishinent of a sufficient: number. of such. ins tutions, and: the demand being covered: Also ee 1 oe ‘might in many ways: constitute oe 1 === [PDF page 76] === . Karen HELMSTEDT — of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Lhe organised peace. movement in Denmark dates back to 1882. So you will see hat in our country there are important pacifist traditions. <I have been a member for many years of the Women’s International League for eace and Freedom. I am also a member of W.1.D.F. *-In 1949 the old peace organisations, together with other organisations, took part in great demonstration in front of the Parliament building against Denmark’s affiliation he Atlantic Treaty. We know that the strategic position of our country is deadly dangerous, and the danger has not diminished since in 1949—against the will of many people—we joined Atlantic Treaty. Therefore the members of the Women’s International Democratic ‘ederation are-active in every way trying to work as much as possible for peace. Our.organisation has collected thousands of signatures to the various peace ‘petitions, and even if our enemies think that they have been of no avail, there is no loubt that they have resulted in many positive discussions and have drawn many eople into active peace work. When recently the service time of the conscripts was extended to 18 months, this led forth a widespread spontancous reaction. In many parts of the country the “conscripts resisted this extension. Hundreds of conscripts were arrested and severely ‘punished. Numerous petitions, letters and protests from our women and from many ‘Others poured in with demands for the release of the conscripts. Deputations of “women lobbicd the M.P.s. If we want to obtain results, we must make still greater efforts to achieve the unity ‘and co-operation of all those who want to defend the interests of women, children and peace. We want to co-operate with women not affiliated to the W.I.D.F. or belonging to other organisations, who have a common interest. Thousands of women, members of our section of the W,I.D.F. and non-members, “took part in the preparation of this Congress. For months thousands of active hands and warm hearts have been preparing to welcome the Congress to our town. Mrs. Anine Rud, Librarian for Children’s Books, said among others “that in her country huge sums are devoted to armaments, which creates a very bad influence on the living Standards of the people. This has been proved especially by the fact that more and more mothers commit suicide and drag their children to death with them. In most cases, it is the economic difficulties and unbear- “able housing conditions which drive them to this desperate deed. Danish omen have not won economic ‘equality. In industry, they get only ‘two thirds of men’s wages. Very few Women are admitted to higher positions. Only 3 %o of the Danish students _.come from working class families. A Shoe factory. 75 === [PDF page 77] === tran — Mrs. Menir ASFIA — journalist A ceoraing to Iranian law woman is subordin; fo man and owes him obedience. She canny choose a profession or work freely in it, if she hag: not her husband’s approval. To travel or leave the: place where she lives is not possible without th husband’s permission. As witnesses before a court, two women m give evidence, where the testimony of one man’ sufficient, As to inheritance, she only inherits half of what her brother receives. She is not giv the right to divorce under the law, but the ma has the right to repudiate his wife no matte when, and immediately if he so wishes, withot showing cause. The discarded woman must leavé her home without being able to claim “a at all and must give up her children. Th inhuman law is ‘the most unhappy thing for thi Iranian mothers to undergo. The father can ev prevent the divorced mother from seeing h children. os The family tries to marry off an Iranian g! The Iranian peasant-woman is depri- after she reaches the age of 10 or 11 so that the ved of the elementary conveniences. She has to walk a long way to fetch ‘ ‘i water from the only well of the village can often see children of 10 or 11 and also littl and even sometimes for severalvillages. girls of 8 who are married, Most of these childr are unable to bear this and die. Iranian women, to help the needs of their families, want to work. But as ow markets are invaded by American products and national industry is endangered, thi army of women without work is growing, and because of this they are being exploited: in a most inhuman fashion.: Women who work in the carpet weaving factories, although they work 12 hours a day, earn one to ten rials. It is impossible to know how they live on 1 rial, that is: to say 200 grammes of bread, and the women who do this forced labour.considet themselves privileged. In Iran the cost of living, especially of primary necessities, is increasing daily. A kilo of meat costs 50 rials, that is to say two days’ wages for a skilled worker, Sugar. costs 25 rials or one day’s wage. A woman has to pay nearly a third of her wage: every month for rent. . The law does not protect women against exploitation. For the slightest reason, 0} if they make the smallest complaint, they are immediately dismissed. Many starving women are waiting outside the door to replace them. Recently, in Ispahan, in a textile factory, dozens of women. were hired who were forced to live in the factory: _ itself. When one of them lost her baby she had to bury it in the factory, as all exi was forbidden. The situation for the peasants is even harder. A peasant woman works throughou! the year but she must give the greatest part of the harvest to the proprietor, pay: taxes, and is barely able to get rye bread for her family, There are places wher women are yoked to the plough and to the machines which draw water from the wells. Nearly 95 oe of the women of Iran are unable to read. According to official statistics in Iran, there are 40,545 districts, and only 344, 0: eight villages in a thousand, have health centres of any kind, sometimes consistin; only of a midwife. In Teheran there is one doctor for every 1,700 persons, but in other parts of Iran there is only one doctor for 85,000 inhabitants. The average length of lifé in Iran is 35 years, and infant mortality is terrifying: Even in Teheran mother: 16 === [PDF page 78] === Bumdreds: far hiek of care. fhe: fuck that only: 3 Ss-cf oor national: revenue: is Oued 16 Public “health. ig -eriotigh: Thuatration. 3 fhe Jarge: dh Sof. Abadan, the -aik:c calics: shanty ‘towns, art ckndwit through sarthe: world. The Jranian morhers. live in: holes: dn“ the - grounds trying: to: prescrys ie lives-of their children, warning then: with - thelr: breath. ‘Phere are many. s sages Up ie odogs, in oder to Keep warns ThiGigh the AOS THES eYeday, the Jranian women have ‘taken -stock cof-the. ituatian: th vas live hoppy. ‘Phey have visen: and demand their tights: That -is why. at our National Con geass nearly: 1.000: de es have. stated theiv demands. | We swartt. to. be. cor dered as traman: beings ‘and:to: have ‘the right: to: our: childrer: “We demand work: equak wouk with equal: pay. We want our national: revcnue 10.-b¢ ogeveted in stich & way as. to. serve. the interests of our people-and not-the protias of the Wal makers: We want the price of primary goods: and: rents to be reduecd within: our. Means. We want ‘hospitals, maternity: hospitals. We aré cullering oq much ag moth dram the aiisery: anid. death of our:chifdren. : Wis SAL 0: ‘have the right. te eiementary, eduealion, We acunt sto: take: part cin the pobtical life of oie countey: so-as to. muintain amd consolidate peace, which assures 4 Dappy dite for ois! children: We. want our national independence, aga the: Melt 10 wiatds forward to: progr and happiness: Mes, FRdiaile SADIGIE — Teaches, fetim the Iranian Women's Greaiisarion Jarge part of our national income goes on the war budget+-that is tos poration oF arms from America, In 1952 in the montis of November aint Decomines y Ane eight Americun: warships. delivered 6,738 tuns of armaments ‘te:Iran. sneltiithe fantitob oiliwhich brought aur people foo cross purpas United States, who: had great interests. in. the shaves: of rhe: Anglo-American: Gil: Company; has Ahwabs and: oh all: oddéagiohs supported “Beilin: dé: UNO: wil ai ake: Tptematianal Court ‘of: fhe: Hagves On the oxcuse (of soscalled: caida: which: hus: been wiveniiis like al war agreement, the Trumar Point-4: insists that: the Tranian ‘gover eaeat has no freédinn of pxehtinge With the -derceralie tountits,: and: hus 6a oge Hatidhal: cconainy. Shoole ana offen AE any stole Neectra fae Swe MANE LG Dare. te tae pots Q Meares “peace, he REBATES! "it Pye oo fox E Shiiciien: Wwe POU patois _Aidepencdeiee ana PERL eae On Mata 16-> pres BS ad hapols === [PDF page 79] === Throughout our administration. the American advisers have forced us to put at disposition the most secret documents, and with the money which is given American advisers annually we could. build schools for 45,000. children. These ‘adyi receive their instructions direct:from America. +». As to health, Americans go into the villages, give talks on cleanliness and. way to bring up children, suggesting that they be given orange juice, while peasants are forced to live in stables with their animals, and have: never heard fruit. and vegetables. On the pretext of building dams. and houses they build 4 dromes. Only last year the construction of 6 great aerodromes was begun. , +. Poverty is too ‘great for the children to attend schools. They. must Children of 4 weave carpets; they are maltreated and beaten in the workshops; li boys of 8 and 10 are mutilated and sold under contract. In the north white sla is the custom. Little girls from 5 to 10 are sold and taken off to brothels. Today,.the Iranian women are determined to create a life of happiness. for’ ¢) children; they have risen and take part in the great struggle for independence a) a life of happiness.: In the great: demonstration for the nationalisation of the oil industry, and» solidarity. with the workers on strike, the Iranian women have shown imm courage. In spite of bullets and the tanks which ran. over the demonstrators,: Iranian mothers fought back. It was. thrilling-to see the poorly clad mothers, wh _under a volley of bullets, cried ‘out: “Women, they are killing our sons, let us pro them.” And when they saw the closely linked ranks of women marching forw: determined and magnificent, a great shout rose from the. demonstrators “Long: the mothers”, It was touching to see the young women sell their modest jewellery, t wedding-rings, and. éven their domestic utensils in order to help the oil -work during an attempt to break the strike by hunger.: »./A large number of Iranian’ women have adopted the slogans for peace, today, in Iran, a great fight is being started by the Iranian women to reduce. mili service from 2°yeans.to 1..... Numbers of women have been thrown into prison, bea’ and tortured for months on end and not-allowed to get in touch with their fam: Women have been raped and young girls separated from their families, But in’s of all this. oppression, women returning from prison and exile are more determ: than ever to continue the struggle. ‘ Mothers’ Committees have been set: up in the districts and villages, In. the committees mothers discuss questions of local’ interest, problems dealing with th children, drinkable water; the price of food, schools, etc..,. Women collect signature: organise delegations, or demonstrate in‘ order to obtain schools, drinkable water, or clean baths,.International Children’s Day has been taken. up by the mothers.: ++, We Iranian ‘women. will fight for our independence and. the freedom * of people, We will never permit our people to take part in the Middle East Pact, whi riches and use them for the well-being of our children’ and the economic restorati: of our country. " We demand the end of the war in Korea. We demand that not only the her people of Korea, but also’ the people of the colonial and ‘subject countries, includ: Iran,:be free to decide their own future and to. choose the system: and governm: which suits them’ best. es |;:: - We demand a peace pact between the Five Great’ Powers so that the peace ‘of world maybe assured. ++: We give heartfelt thanks to our gréat-Federation which unites the struggles all women. and by its actions and guidince has succeeded in building up an. imme! force—an army of mothers and women. all over the -worid, who will triumph over e Warmakers. The Federation has. followed the struggle of Iranian’ -women ‘witht! greatest attention and has always raised its powerful voice in our-defence.. 78: === [PDF page 80] === Bands dos uot only === [PDF page 81] === at the starvation level. Women are not allowed to form free*trade unions for the 1 defence: of their right to-a living wage. They have no’ right to strike, no security, and no unemployment benefits. To this must be added the pressure 0: , employment. In. Istanbul there are’ 100,000. unemployed, two thirds. of whom are wome: market has been flooded with American goods, leading to the closing down, of factories.: In a country where 60 °/o of the budget is spent on war preparations, while th only one creche and two kindergartens for a population of 21 million ‘(according official figures), while there is only one doctor for 7,000 people, and out of 8 children born every year 400,000. do not live, while -80°/o of the workers are tul cular, can we say that working women are enjoying full rights of participation i life of their country, that their rights and well-being are protected? Within the last few years a new worry has been added to the ‘sufferings o! peasant women. Military service and war -have been iaking thousands of tillers ay from their land, bringing catastrophe to hundreds of families. There are no. less 4 600,000 men under arms in Turkey, Under American orders 25,000 soldiers have sent to Korea, Most of these are peasants. In the absence of their fathers, boys o! till the soil along with the women. Throughout the country, peasant women ‘sing th “orean Song’, a song composed’ by. an unknown soldier expressing the sufferin; thousands of Turkish mothers. In many parts of the country, peasant women food and shelter to conscripts for Korea, who hide in the woods so as not to go. Within the last year a broad propaganda campaign has been launched’ agains’ rights of women. At the local Congresses: of the Democratic Party, whichis the pa in power, it was suggested that polygamy should be restored, that women. ‘should deprived of their right to inheritance, that they should wear the veil, and. that won employees should. be discharged from their jobs. Americans have come to our coun to. make speeches. on education and on birth control. These are the measures. off against the growing pressure of unemployment. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Economy, from December, 1952; March, 1953, that is to say in three months time, the prices of food increased 9.5 Since. 1938, the general level. of prices has increased by 400 °/o. In search ‘of bread, hundreds of women ‘are driven to the houses’ of prostituti officially recognized, by the government. There are 600 such houses in Turkey, 200" Istanbul, In 1950, the President of the Turkish Peace Society, Dehice Boran, and other wi were sentenced to 1 year and 9 months. imprisonment. Since then many) Wo} among them Dr. Séevim Tari, Sevinch Tanik, Mclahat Turksal and others, have: imprisoned | with many other ‘peace fighters. because they, told the people 700. million Turkish’ pounds had been spent. for the construction of atomic bases, strategic. roads and: ports, while 300,000 people died every year from under-nourishme Recently women prisoners in Instanbul went on a hunger strike against the go i ment decision to send them to torture chambers at the end of 16 months. detenti without trial, Their mothers and families’ launched an’ appeal.. However, the terror will only strengthen our unity, our unshakable’ will. to 4 all the more energetically for'a policy of peace, for our national independence, for end of the war in Korea, for a Five Power Pact. 80 === [PDF page 82] === Mts: Polly LUCIEN: — Bressmaker, Women’s Auxiliary af the Oilfield i ‘Workers Union Ned e: " cought with me very.warm greetings from my organisation, the Women’s ‘of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union ‘in Trinidad, Words cannot: express having been invited to this, your magnificent Congress. women of ‘Trinidad, wish to join. with you to advocate. Peace. Love and conditions for women and. children all over the world. tinued existence of colonial rule is thé root cause of the present economic, sotial and cultural plight. of our people. This has meant for us a drain on ofal wealth, our natural resources; especially oil, sugar and. asphalt. It. has Ss permanent Unemployment and a sky-high: cost’ of living. The women. of 4a have looked on. frorn time to time and have decided to do something about ouditions. ¥ Women’s. Auxiliaty was established on March 2nd 1952, Our membership to 45 participating members and a large following -of sympathisers. going ta receive all, regardless of class, nationality, religious beliefs, political le-or profession.; ly. we have begun fighting our struggle. We have,taken part. in May Day ions,. the wage négotiation struggle, labour ‘disputes, County ~ Council ‘all of! which ended successfully. at od ng in Trinidad’ need much improvement. We -need. better. child health care. erOf pre-natal. clinics existing in the colony are only. 7, for a population over half a million, gard to. housing; the medical. and sanitary report of tbe director of: medical es forthe year 1949 tecords that active steps were taken fo check a new and ised: development, viz. the growth. of-a shanty town: in the vicinity of the Spround: of the capital. This settlement, consisted “of shacks. made out of ig cases and crates. Of the 44 shacks counted, 38 were occupied permanently by ndusiry barracks fooms 19X10, accommodating as many as 6, relics: of till exist. Many: of the rooms are windowléss.’ No. fentals aré: payable, but nt of strikes, striking agricultural labourers can be evicted ‘with 24 hours id at\eléction time, certain candidates are forbidden by estate managers to quarters and speak to the constituents. eorntintied success toward the liberation of women all over the world: the delegate from Trinidad (eH) and, the deicgate from Jamaica (right). 81 === [PDF page 83] === Rumania — Mrs, Liuba KISHINEVSKI — Deputy, Secretary of the Central Counci} of Rumanian Trade Unions he everyday life of the women of our country shows how large and effecti a ’ contribution women can make in solving widely different problems. In our Peopl Democratic State—which has not only given complete equality of rights to women but has also ensured the material conditions without which these rights could not. enjoyed—women share in all the social and economic activities. On the left, thi head. of the weaving factor: a young woman: worker, The women, promo: ted to ‘leadin, posts give everyday new Proof of thei. capacity to oF ganise and 0! their spirit 0 initiative. === [PDF page 84] === a-question of a mere proclamation of equal rights for men and women. text of: the Constitution of ‘the Rumanian People’s Republic BFOVINES, for gon, the map of our eounity. Women ‘are taking an active part in carrying ork, They know they are making their contribution. towards the progress society, the raising of the: standard of iving of the whole population and ore AEGe 250,000. working women are taking part in the movement of patriotic ation. Orders and medals have been given to thousands of. women, and. that is Sion’ of the-esteem in which they are held by the people of our country. it women, too, contribtite greatly in. the ensuring of rich. harvests. At the ie they, lend their aid to. medical institutions and institutions for the proof children, They take part in actions intended ‘to raise the cultural level and dard: of: living. in the villages. ‘more. than 2,000: women working in higher education and more than 300 work as. scientific assistants in the research ‘institutes of the Academy of For the first time in our country, the Academy of Sciences counts women its members, Women form 62.4 %o of the eee staff in the elementary, ‘ontinual ews in the. civic consciousness of women is to be seen most dleatly. in the ‘fact that in the towns and the villages of’ our jcountry hundreds of ands of Women are playing an ever more active part’ in solving problems of werest.. The confidence which our free people and our State of People’s racy has in the capability and’¢reative energy of women is shown particularly “fact that 66 women have been elected as deputies to the National Assembly, than 27,000 women are councillors in the People’s Councils in the regions, owns and: villages of our country. erly official propaganda in our country supported theories intended to keep it of civic life, to keep them in poverty and ignorance. Today our women are combining ‘professional work with civic and family commitments. ws. passed. by the government.of the People’s Democratic. Republic of athe: law regulating labour-contracts, the law providing for-social security, he protection of health, and the Labour Code—contain special clauses omen, and. according particular.attention to mothers and children. The itees women a paid leave of 35 days before confinement and. 45 days after. és-a grant for buying the layette and another grant paid during the nursing ds, nine months). Mothers have at their service creches and kindergartens can leave their little ones during working hours. There they receive food 1 -attention they need, as well as a healthy education. villages—where formerly: 67.7 °/o of women had no assistance whatever during to—there are now country maternity homes. The State provides a grant for ‘amilies. All these measures are most effective in helping to strengthen familyid improving continuously the living conditions of mothers and: children. CIOCAN — Chief Editor of the newspaper “The Peasant Women” all of the W.1.D.F. with regard to convocation’ of the Women’s World Conreceived with great enthusiasrn by the women. of our country: it found to.every home, so that every woman, every mother, knew about it. tral Committee of the Roumanian Democratic Women’s Union decided to ww. method of organising its activities, so that every woman’ may take part 83. === [PDF page 85] === We-ate: of the Mwomich of dilfe: muke it possible instructive: exchan - At-our National Con: People's: “Republic === [PDF page 86] === the! age ad bb without PE RANDES VOUNTE! WRT VO ay dG hard: work 2 ose gay techoin the (problems:of women: aud se Women and: the: ciation tor Peace, were banned -w sy cconercte: reason BiVen i jab ye: MIS Hn GesUre. “PRE AP Wis “banned in 1947): fhe second oPortagcese awomen: plas a Moxt tmipartant part in dhe: weomomic: and: sociah: Hle: of, Whete spuniey, iculiure. Didusivy, corners: educiting aid the nrofc: OM Oe “GE: Ween is continiiclly on ihe “merodsé, and represents enormsus: value MU poten: Ii iheir righty are alricst completely denied they: Tore are: the: generat ndione iocsybich Portuguese woren live. work and! siriaele: sare singin women whe ere literals. and no thei Jivises: and -widois ‘ahd: divorcees: in thet RNY GS BEL E miles. Fhe only née a owemen whn ebri veld (Bre Shosu AVAS: iY. son dtctessi: 26 elds: <Wecause mere than helt of: the population is Milerste, “Bhe Bog tubtiege: woman worktci always. cars less. (nan a mon ¢ Hough the hour ivity may be: the: samc sho cthe factories, dino the “constraciion sl repate ar He aNE (he: pyofessions, tit-genetal: the wwimman’s: wages vary: betwee tHe man carr === [PDF page 87] === ndependence, and for peace betwe Despite this, women of Portugal. _ === [PDF page 88] === ZERLAND — Mrs. Jacqueline ZURBRUGG — President of the Women’s: Popular Movement in Geneva " country is fond of boasting that it is the oldest democracy in the world. But up jow in our country women have been refused economic and political equality. fomen get on an average 60 %/o of the wage of a man. Very-recently our parliament d to ratify the Convention of the International Labour Organisation. on equality ages.: fomen have no political rights either in the Confederation or-in the 22 “cantons” stricts. Many organisations, feminist, and for. women, exist in our country, and years they have. been fighting for the recognition. of political rights for women: . poll among women has led to the putting of this question to the electorate for. fifth time in Geneva, due to a favourable decision in Parliament. other cantons similar campaigns are being prepared, in Basle, Berne and Zurich. ‘cantons like Geneva, our young Federation of Swiss Women for Peace and gress, founded in September 1952 under. the auspices and with the support of our D,F., isin the forefront of the struggle. The fact that women are taking part in the electoral campaign has changed its jaracter, for it is due to them that economic and social demands are linked with litical demands, the fight against over-arming, the crushing military budgets, the ih cost of living, and the shortage of houses. us the political interest of women in our country has been awakened. ; Elise CHAILLET — Housewife, March 8th Movement of the Vaud Canton isis these first 10 months of activity of the Federation of. Swiss women for ce and Progress; 4 new sections have been founded as well as two newspapers, one ‘rench and one in German. ee quarters of our country is a rural area..'The small peasants, exploited, crushed debts, eke out a bare existence. The: peasant-women wear themselves out at work. my village, we have some industry, but as we are in a rural area our wages low. If ever anyone in the family falls ill, thus bringing extra expenditure, poverty ears, because Health Insurance exists on a very limited scale, especially in Frenchking Switzerland. More and more women take. part. in production. Now there 00,000, but their wages are very low. Some employers have dared to propose ly wages of 80. cents to 1.15 francs. ‘ the countryside for a day of laundry work a women is paid 6 francs, which is iculous. wage, when one thinks of the work done in one day. In some towns, ularly Geneva and Lausanne, wage increases have been obtained thanks ‘to the kk of our Federation. The wages of a woman-cleaner have gone up from 1 to 2 es per hour and those of laundresses from.12 to 15 francs per day.: The housing shortage and the population increase have given rise to a great ve of financial speculation on ithe part of the building contractors and the. archi-.. Tenants associations have been formed in close cooperation with groups of ederation. They: are halting these rent increases and are demanding the nance of rent control.. ‘ Our Federation is also active in Basle, Zurich, Berne, Neuchatl, Tessin, and rhere, in the great movement for support of the old people. ‘old people still receive a ridiculously inadequate pension of 62,50 francs in the S, and 40 francs in the country. Yet the funds of the Old Age Pension’ service é risen to almost two thousand million Swiss francs. A-great demonstration of old ‘ople, coming in coaches from all parts of the country, is to be: held any day now ' Berne, the seat of the National Parliament. Tt is our desire that our small ‘land, the cradle’ of the Red Cross of Dunant, offer its territory to the Great Powers. for a Peace Conference and we have ady put this idea forward to our Government during our demonstrations on Interonal Women’s Day. 87 === [PDF page 89] === chug been’ und ee Byery ‘local org ictivities: around: this main iss: in ho way a centra parlidmelis—evan: 24 cap Petition with: thousands: of sign: trations: have === [PDF page 90] === S$ a. population. of less than one-alt million people: Its people are composed ily of Negroes and East Indians. The Negroes were brought fo British Guiana: as for the sugar plantations: many years ago, and Indians were. later brought.as ured Jabour, Our past is rich-in the tradition. of the fight. against oppression. ly as 1948, there was a struggle by. the sugar workers resulting in. a-strike % months and -the shooting of five. wotkers by the: police. Soon after, the igation which I represent, the People’s. Progressive. Party, began in earnest to ise the workers and peasants.of British Guiana, edueating them politically as to. ature of the struggle, andthe need -to fight for national independence. “it was discovered that, the government was dumping milk. down the city the women protested around. the city under the banner of the P,P. P. and the + of Government Employees Unions. blems ‘of the wvomen of British Guiana are the problems of. all women. in ial countries—poverty brought.on by low wages, unemployment,’ or. indate prices for the products of their labour (for: example: rice). In «the sugar. lustry women Work. for amazingly low wages. In. the fields, where women toil long in the rain arid sun, ‘waist-deep in water, they eatn from $°3.99 to $ 4.43 per ‘ ficial 1951. figures). ‘To. give an idea of what. that means. in terms of. our costs the government about $ 1.26 per day to maintain a prisoner in jail, is not a very high standard. Girls between 14 and 18: years of age earn about per week while women sugar factory workers (unskilled) earn about. $ 4.90 per ‘Women city workers in the shirt, tobacco’ and match factories earn from $6 to r week. Restaurant workers earn $ 4.80 per week with meals, and store. clerks it $ 6 per week. Domestic workers slave for approximately $12 per month with for 70 to’ 80 hours per week. Women labourers employed ‘hy: the Government in blic Works Department é¢arn $1.32 per day in the country, and $-1.54 in the city; ed to the male workers at $ 1.76.and. $ 2.09 respectively.: Other women ‘job Work like breaking bricks with a small hammer, are paid i2 cents per ually averaging 40 to 60 cents per day for this’ extremély exhausting labour. of these shockingly low wages, women. cry out for employment of any kind, any price, because of the terrible need for money to help support their large ind the need’ to supplement the inadequate wages received by the meh. folk. wverty faces the majority of people in: British Guiana, roportion. ofthe ‘population are ricé farmers who, in order ‘to eke owt an ust use ‘the labour of their wives ane children in the rice fields. fomen’s Political and Economical Organisation, which was very active several 80, planked for universal adult suffrage. and no doubt its effort contributed to evement of, the franchise: This. year the women were a decisive factor in ing about the P. P..P. victory and they rallied splendidly to our call. The 3 women dates ‘all won. by: convincing majorities, and are the first women. to sit in any body of British’. Guiana. I had. the good fortune to be elected Deputy: i the House. This will no doubt add impetus to the new women’s movemént was launched ‘recently, the Women’s: Progressive Organisation, 89° === [PDF page 91] === home: in the Republic;: ysants on: their own sar joo, obtained & house,: 9: “iS: wortianl | techn ictant © ilvay | which: ‘shows ‘th - We peasant women: “Life In ‘spite of this it was not alway: easy fo put into full pi ant women, Apart from the wark in the fields we had to fulfill a ‘duties, look after the children and care for the cattle; thus we Baa to be BP ‘Z fa from saxly jn the morning till late at night. i one turning point came when we in: the German Democratic Republic start citural eboperatives. Through the cooperative work, and the increased tse oF big machines, we me women are free from the heay kinds of manual labour.: “Tn our case it was the women’ who formed’ the agricultural cooperative, Sine owe have been ‘able to get all the peasants of our village to. join: the Cooperativ. 16 members we: till an agriculiural arex of 1,500: hectares Although our Coape 4s Mot more than 10 months old, we can already. point to. great successes | common: wank, Tn honour of the Women's World Congress our modern iound y was. 0} delivers us our washing well laundered and finished. ‘To relieve the: peasant Wo! / of the problem of looking after the children, we have erected three nurseries and: “ereche. Another creche: will be opened in’ the near future. We have also my ro id medical ‘service ‘in our village and ‘have: set up ‘twwo® sick: rooms: “Twice a week 3 good. dactor. comes up from the nearest town and i sultation. ‘The medical’ services and the medicants are free of charge. 3 With the help | of voluntary labour we have built a beautiful cooperally s ourselves. This: aves the wi lometies wa! alk to ‘the town, === [PDF page 92] === ae. peasant worlan is responsible for the“ aninials- and: she Tooks Afr TAO pigs: Thanks (a the tremendous help give ‘by ‘our government, the CHildven ‘ean ‘studs. ae be WoYkees and peasants University. without“ having: to: pay: Sor cit, and: canvet pdication in accoréance with their wishes and: capabilities, “To-day ihousands of syoung peasant children ‘dre studying in the iniversities. We know What medns to be! tree andato nave @qual Vdhie: and to: till our ‘soil for peace. That isowhy we put our trust: in cur government and in:our President Withe lr Pieck.: “Me also know very: well taal we shall gain sul gredler achiovomedts, that we shall “lve da pteatat wealth when peace in the. world sis: sécured and. when: we owork.:to= gether with our ‘sisters: and brothers of Westerh -Germany, ino a uniied “Germany, awards achappy future for. all mankind, Mra Lily WACHPER, + President: of: ‘the Eremucraiic Union: 8 Gervan Wouies, West Germany:: Dn De dkatt law ‘peblishcad by the Adenauer Goyernment concerning women's: rights metsthe: most vidlent opposition of the wermen: and. wamen's: organisations drclading Ue Hessian Worten’s’ Organisation, the German. Bréneh ‘of the international: women’s Ottanisation Si. Joun's:Alliance. the ‘Catholic: wornen’s organisation in Frankfurt, ihe eMeasetinion, the: Demactatic Union of German - Women, the: Housewives’ Union in Mahover cake “Assaciation. of Women. Lawyers, the: Bvangelical Womer’s: Union: and Mai others,: o@hel Association of Women Lawyers stated ‘in a‘ public: document that this: dealt: W Awascariticcomstititianal Becsuse, contrary to. ihe coristitution, ie does not eontain equal Highs: for. women: Constitution; and: the equality. of, rights ‘for men,-and women ‘should: have -bean established since “April: Fst, 1953) The | Constifution: states: “Men and: women ienjoy equal rehts;-Nohody ean chioy special privileges or be discriminated against because AS sexy | Buiwho: Constitution of he “Adenaubr “Government: is ‘not even: raspéeted: by. the Goveruniont. iigelf, becuse. it thetmpatible with its erimimal: war: planis,: History, Particularly. the ivery. reeent past, bas: taught: us- thal: whenever. a: government: is oBleparing lor: war dumncratie vights -are curtailed. and: the: -oppression: of - women _Slowse For ‘the “German. women however, ‘the. Constitution ‘is binding.: Therefore. the Somen workers demand equal pay tor. equal work: : The workers and employees of the Army Weber in: Labi: Seuth-Baden,-oblained the. aeplication Of this principle by Simply. threatening that they ‘would -so on. strike: Te is io. Mificantthat: the maie: workers actively. supported this demand. AWeother- proof of the determined struggle: of women: for their rights: is ‘the great /feathe Workers trike of Grorait And’ Neithora,: whicce’ 1-000: workers, (70-6: of Caen = Omen “avont von. seth Following.-the® example: of. Raymond: Diery, they: threw: Hemeel ves before ‘the! ‘cars: to‘ prevent ‘the ‘employers ‘frong: iransporting ready: gnade XOdS OUL-OT the | stbikebetnd factories: ‘THE police terxGr whicd “then set ih eat a ont Midaws preventing the equailiy.af rights for women ave abolished according to the: === [PDF page 93] === peace-loving ‘and “possible === [PDF page 94] === ey conTmurt happiness -ahd- a sunny: far us) ahd our children Bre ‘only possible ha ainilen “and: peach Getminy,: we Wk the opening ot ne long between the: 3. gceat powers: The prepurktions fox: the. World: Congress of: Women - have:atrenythened am deeled Gur forces. di @ lid “tishis: of wosien? Liéiy Tove for children-and “thelr He pebly Wervibe and Anyictioss We vedere: Rule io’ myobib Many avomien "in: fae: teh Yer unity nnd: peace who were in now connecterk we aeduiation- of Germans. SD Aie the avomicn's | povebont: Toy ‘peaed in: the. west Of our: country: “active COF aperaterl in thee preparatory: work! for C s! The newly ‘founded: Come auinal Interest Groups: for the Righ as te: Certiaa: Society for, VSfonce ol CHAxén,. sent -delognics. sttesis and’ observers | té “Gur Conptess, An Bethne it Avas. possible cto: bring together women a? different social: strata: from: both West and East. These: meetings: and discussions, which were. conducted: in: < Sipndship aid: mdidal aindeéersianding. will help “us. Ri: cur: Hight againel slander.: eo the German Democratic Republic the madi part of: aur. work: in preparation dor “the Wotld Congress: of: Wwarhen was ‘the strengthening. of: eur: action: for the ‘re- Umideation of. rman Nuunereks groups of our Women’s organisation, womieri from Qodusitial -enterpr rs welt-as° guoups ‘pf housewives, took -the ‘initiative: in-setting up correspondence ‘circles where lettérs and reporis were writen and! sent ‘to Westcro Cenmeny: ih order to lostablish ‘contacis With cur Woesi Gerrvan’ sishars: ‘Women. support. with all their eneth the efforts. of our. government, Ther: carry ovul their task. for the: neconstraclion (of: our country, wilh great cubinsias a, DeeTUse they Row: that ‘the best why of serving vhe ealise Of ve-uniting our fal herbed ‘is: io: Midisole.-the: vtdsperity. of our Republic.: AMG UE Ne. gtOu SOMES ig Ad. imam. ITments with Roe eenvenfiuers, === [PDF page 95] === This was to.be seen in the. Women’s Conference. in Berlin. on May 20th, in. discussions and speeches which showed..the love and pride our. women fe creating a new way of life. It was also shown ‘in ‘the attitude of the women dur} the 3,523 meetings and public demonstrations carried through in-preparation fo: Congress, which were attended by 75,000 women. Above all, this was demonstrated by the pledge of women workers to ine: prodtiction, by the pledge of peasant women ‘to deliver their harvest. before and the pledge to. improve the qualifications of women in all’. professions industries,: ..'Through: more than 800.messages. of approval and greeting, and in resoluti with. about 25,000. signatures, they expressed. their firm. determination, to advantage of the results of this Congress,.and:to base their future work 0: decisions and.advice, in order to fulfil our pledges to the. peace loving peoples. GREAT BRITAIN —. Mrs, Joyce ALEXANDER, Engineering worker, Nation Assembly of Women, London:. = Ts striking. thing about Britain today is the fighting spirit amongst. wom Thousands of women. are beginning to see the connection between high prices, housing and cuts in the social services and our fantastic rearmament programme £1,766 millions, Weare being forced by the employers’ and Government’s attacks hard-won rights into.the Position of fighting ‘back, In the factory where I weenie! women, took part in “the first political strike in r years. Ii was a strike against redundancy in which 400 women ‘took part and w. - resulted in the reinstatement of those who had: been dismissed. My Union, the A.E. U, is starting a mew campaign for equal pay for equal w We have reached the position in engineering where women are increasingly being put into men’s jobs, but at women’s rates. This not only. constitutes.a danger to men’ 1 In our delegation we have several industrial workers, one of them, Mrs, Watm of Bradford, isa shop steward and member of the E. T.U..She has recruited so mai women: to this union that she has been nominated for the T. U. C. gold medal by het factory. They also face this position of women doing the same. jobs as the men: lower. rates, and also the speeding-up of jobs making women produce more for same wages. Women civil servants in their hundreds recently lobbied M.P.s with regard to equa pay, and the movement among women: teachers is very strong indeed. The main target ofthe Government’s attacks has been the children and. this | won the unity of mothers in action.in defence of their little ones, In. Willesden several hundred women decided that they: would not pay excess charges for day nurseries and that they would keep open their. day nurseries. A: a fight lasting 13. weeks, during which time -the women were ‘threatened with action and even with imprisonment for non-payment, the result is‘ that. the nurse! are still open and at prices the mothers can afford. All over England, Scotland~and Wales similar fights are taking place. The’ m striking thing about these fights is the great unity which has been achieved betweet the. Trade Union branches, labour and. co-operative. parties, and’ the «mothers children. In Willesden 25 Trade Union branches sent delegates to the. Mothers’ C mittee, Large. sums of money’ were sent to them and innumerable resolutions ‘ » protest sent ‘to authorities concerned, In Kent the local Trades Council was a towe: ‘ot strength to the women, and up in the north the weavers and ‘Site textile wor! donated. money,.-gave ‘advice, and technical assistance, 94! === [PDF page 96] === 4 protests are. sweeping tho ccountry: about-the cuts: in -ecucation and alsocand women are beginning to:get indo ‘action: on these-issuck: Mothers invcur' country are very concerned: about: the: corruption of pur-childres by HeMeAn caries ahd {iims.. The. movement: denianding. ‘the banning of this: trash vis (odtacwomen: are on: the.moye, women of all -parties: and all reliwmons, dcspite _preguidicc abe: intolerance!) Amongst: our d@legstivn. Weé-ard “proud ‘te namberir this connection {a¥o. pioricers ‘of! our: Labour movement,: Alderman: Mir Green: of Rother fain And Mrs. Mathieson af Leeds, foundation: member of ihe -Breish Labour Party, whose work for Iniernational peace and friendship. is inspiring: SOG National “Assembly cf Weraen! unites women. af al’ opinions lo tight ‘tor: the Santis of worich and children: 5 This Aceembly; which is growing and. working everywhere: in aur country already fag -85G: branches and: was able on March th. 1953, te orghrise io big aesemblies, pepe in CHagGGw and one in London which were atlended by 2.220 defeaates repre ing thousands of women in Great Britain: Nextsyoar we owilt/do even beller, and the next year after. vBlil we adkiove our Sia@s—ptace and a world ‘fit fay waren ‘and children to Hve ir, MS Rose: BALIWIN; Housewife L come from Chiswitk, England; T ani tbe mother o? & cunseript boy and. he: has Hist Patiened trom: Kores.: Por weeks E:losi ali inierest sin: lifes wondering what twas: happentigg..to.. him. one day: ac knoek: came at, the door; wag a metnber: bf ihe, Women's Assembly. She said: *Coroe with us, youard nol the only haothier” OW Vine: 25th i fast) Summer ‘the National. Assenibly: ‘of: Women: ‘organised: a. ‘large’ SepulAHOn ot. women from iall over ihe: British. Isles anc: marched: with ‘banners: ta the: House: of Commons demanding “Cense fire in Borca and send. aur sare Some” Bate of thd delegation: fram: Great “Britain af the Congress === [PDF page 97] === One ‘on sur Helegntes comes ftom East: Anplie a Merican atom bomib base. It is also an area which overnment would not: spend money on i$ea defences;:] pounds for concrete and Hiibe FECES SAY for Houses io Mulla Amer can: iff and assistan ‘fo them by the Soviet “People and: Soviet Tones. no by the generous | ‘They. can see ae themselves whe stands { for Reser and oe: === [PDF page 98] === s now, that this anniversary might be turned into a great celebration of the of the Armistice in Korea. If this is the case we will know that the ending war in Korea has been due to the-efforts of ordinary people like us, — the fight of the Korean and the Chinese volunteers, the efforts of the women and and the strength of the World Peace Movement.: Hilda BURTON, Ward Orderly, National Assembly of Women y husband has been a prisoner of war in Korea ‘for two and a half years..I have ived many letters which are always cheerful. and praising the good’ treatment py the Chinese. Volunteers. y of us in the Congress are. fighting for peace and we will carry on the fight’ my husband and the prisoners’ who belong to us all-are back in their own ve here’a letter from the wife of a. returned prisoner of war which I would to read to you: r Friends,. 3 vife of a returned prisoner of war in Korea, I thought I would send a message ‘the meeting. Firstly, I want to say how well. all the boys Jooked on arrival in and. All the talk about atrocities in the camps is nonsense. I appeal to you all ake it known that the boys are being well treated. ¢ sy all want io return home that is why we ‘want something done as regards peace talks, Let all the prisoners of war of both sides return to the countries ‘are from, then if-they want to stay in the’ country where they were prisoners, Mrs: G. Pollard of Hornsey, London.” ica: WHATELY, journalist, Women’s organisation 6 Point Group yw the British Government-has forced on'the native people of Southern Rhodesia, em Rhodesia and Nyasaland, a Federation in which the legislature will, be unrepresentative of the bulk of the population. In other words, 6 million ‘leans inhabiting these areas have been placed under the control of 200,000. white settlers, who have the sole right to decide what political advancement in the Federal bly. would ever be granted to, Africans. No wonder that Africans have shown nqualified objection to this Federation, yet the British House of Commons has refused to give consideration to their complaints and has forced the Federation upon South Africa nine thousand men and women have broken unjust laws, and ved sentences of 6 months imprisonment in the disgusting, overcrowded jails of inion, for the “crime” of entering a railway station in their own country by the entrance marked “Europeans. only”, instead of by the side entrance with the ©. These men and’ women are prepared to break unjust laws and to suffer in own bodies the consequences of their act. Kenya, 3,000. European farmers own nearly 17,000 square miles of the best Jand, 5,500,000 Africans have 50,000 square miles of the “next best”. écent trade union legislation has made trade unions virtually illegal. e cannot continue to ignore the needs of 220 millions of their people, To supply ir needs would largely contribute to the wiping out of unemployment where sts. Before that can be done the standard of living of Africans must be raised, e must raise the standard of living of all the peoples of the world. 97 === [PDF page 99] === JAMAICA — Mrs. Daphne CAMPRELL, People’s Educational Organisation, © Movement 5 "Pre population of Jamaica is about 96 °%o of.Negro descent. Our Negro ances were brought from Africa by force to work as slaves.for the white plantation owné from Britain. }; Under slavery our women were put to work, and to bear children who would for the slave owners. Their status was that of cattle, No family organisation encouraged to develop, and where family relations did.develop, they were freque: disrupted.at the whim of the slave owner who could dispose of either the ma: the woman as he wished. With or without family relations the female slave required to produce children who belonged to her owner and increased his suppl: labour. 1 The slaves struggled valiantly against slavery and in this struggle, women. play, their part with distinction, many women paying with their lives for complicit the many slave rebellions, When emancipation came in 1838, the status of women in relation to men suff a further relative deterioration, Before emancipation the feeding and clothing of the child had been the responsibility of the slave owner. With emancipation this respo) ibility fell on the parents, but because of the deliberate irresponsibility which sla created among large numbers of the males, a large part of this burden fell exclusiv, { upon. the mothers. S A further cause of the worsening of the relative position of women ‘was; that slaves being uneducated and untrained (and the economy in any event being 1 developed), the only form of employment open to the vast majority was unskille labour. Since the men enjoyed physical superiority they obtained preference’ for jobs unless the women offered their labour more cheaply 4han men. Thus wom labourers, who'in many cases had to shoulder the burden of supporting their offspri unaided, were further exploited by receiving smaller wages, 4. ee These historical origins have left their mark on Jamaican society down to today. The Census of 1942 disclosed that 31,2°/o of all the households in Jamaica (includin, " persons living. alone) were headed by women. The percentage of households’ wii children headed by women was 31.5 °/o. These figures disclose the tremendous burd borne by the women. 4 In December 1952 (when the last census was taken) the figures were as. follow: The percentage of male wage earnes falling in the lowest paid bracket ¢ 8/- per week) was 16.8%», For female wage. earners it was 48.4%. Putting th lowest paid. brackets together (so as to get.the numbers earning under 10/- aw we find that 40.6 %/o of the men fell in this group as against. 72.7"/o of the. women. - For labouring work in the cane fields not only is the work cheaper for w when paid by the day, but the task rate for the same work when done by wome: less than the task rate paid to men.; In the lowest paid work, that of domestic servants, women outnumber men near) nine times, However it would be true to say that our women have more and more been. forcii themselves into work formerly the preserves of men. Their greatest achievement have ‘been in the teaching profession. Today“there are women who. are winning sé in the legislative and in the local government bodies, t Visitors from abroad are often impressed’ in Jamaica by the fact that women ‘fo such a substantial part of the audience at political meetings, and in. the branches 0 political parties in which many women play a leading part. It is clear therefore thal the urge for equal status is present, and the demand is being made. ‘ ae The position of woman:as the child-bearer must be accorded proper recognition by: the enactment of social security measures. i The right of women to equal pay for equal work must be guaranteed by law (whi will also eliminate the use of cheap female labour to keep down the standard living). atk The emancipation of women. depends on general improvement in the standard living of the whole, community, in achieving. which women must ‘play. full p; With. men,:: 98 === [PDF page 100] === CHINA — Mrs, Li Teh CHUAN, Minister of Health, Vice-President of the All-China Women’s Democratic Federation W omen in old semi-colonial and semi-feudal China had absolutely no political or economic rights and no right to education. We were under double oppression and enslavement. Together with the whole people, we had engaged in a long and bitter struggle. We succeeded finally in driving out the foreign aggressors and in. uprooting completely the domestic feudal forces. We won our national independence and established a people’s state power. Now we Chinese women are masters of our own country and enjoy equal rights with men. We are the active builders of a free and happy China. During the past three years, the People’s Government has passed various laws and decrees which protect women’s rights and children’s welfare and has moreover taken many concrete measures to guarantee the implementation of these laws and decrees. In the Central People’s Government alone, there are more than sixty women holding the position of vice-chairman, minister and vice-minister, council member, department head and bureau director. Two women are now vice-presidents of branches of the People’s Supreme Court, and many others work as presidents and judges in docal people’s courts. In North China alone, there are a total of 144 women presidents -or vice-presidents of people’s courts at provincial, regional or county. levels, and 51 women county magistrates and vice-magistrates. The fact that women are “stration shows clearly that the State has full confid- “ence and high esteem: for women. Now, 20 to 50 per “cent of the administrative Workers of the basic state Organisations are women, (irom Chang Yun’s speech) ‘or all our crops, the proction has increased from ‘ar to year... towns and villages are being built.“ === [PDF page 101] === The. path. of life lies open before us. All, avenues of work and the profession: open to women: In the. textile industry,-for instance, over.60 per cent of the wor are women. In ‘addition, women are also joining in many departments: of hea industry. where they never worked before, Even more women are working in cult educational, health and commercial institutions and cooperatives. Many. women hi been promoted to leading posts such as factory managers, workshop superintende: school principals, hospital ‘superintendents and cooperative directors, because of thi outstanding work. The system of equal pay for equal work has been fully established. in all 5) organs; schools, state enterprises, cooperatives and state farms. After the land refo: women in the countryside obtained the same share of land as the meh. The bre masses of peasant women have joined:in production, In mutual-aid teams and z cultural producers’ cooperatives they have gained equal pay for equal work with They are learning to master agricultural technique -and administrative. work wi great enthusiasm, Many of them have been elected ‘as directors of cooperat; leaders of ‘Mutual-aid teams or bumper-crop models, Honoured and awared by Central People’s Government,; ‘In the past, the overwhelming majority of wornen ‘were illiterate. But today, wo Students in the institutes of higher education alone comprise about 23% of the number. For the adult women, there are various kinds of spare-time schools, win classes, literacy classes, and training classes to raise their cultural and technical 1 The care shown by the State: tewards women, mothers.and children is: fu indicated by the following fact. The Labour Insurance Regulations have been put effect, Medical health and’ child-care institutions have been set up and their servi are being improved. The Labour Insurance Regulations state that women wor! are entitled to eight weeks of maternity leave with pay, as. well as free pre-natal ai post-natal care, Throughout the country 30,000 maternity centres, health centres fi “women and children, and maternity hospitals have been newly set. up. Two hundr and seventy thousand midwives have taken refresher courses. ‘ ; Mrs..Chang YU, Vice-President and General Seeretary of the All-China Women’ Democratic Federation: Ts women of China ardently love peace, The more so because we have endured the sufferings of long years of aggressive war waged against us. The aggressive wi of the Japanese militarists alone, took over ten million Chinese lives. Our sufferi were endless, Together with our menfolk, we have launched and. carried out indomi able struggles,’ to win and to defend peace. We finally defeated the foreign invade: and secured our national independence and a peaceful ‘life for our country. We lo; to heal our wounds of war. in peace. We want to ensure.a happy life to all our people. And, above all, we want a happy future for all our children. ‘ Within the short period of three years, our industrial and agricultural produc: has not only.-been completely restored but, in general, has surpassed the hight records in our history. Factories and machines have been repaired. New. factories and: technical equipment have been installed. fi Railway lines are being extended every, day. In 1952 alone, 472 kilometres of rail. way lines were built and 602 kilometres. were restored. The material and. cultural life of the people has improved remarkably, On: thi basis of these achievements, we have launched our first five-year-plan’ of nations construction, starting with this year, 1953. 100 === [PDF page 102] === edhe ural areas: where there were mever ary creches, recenily: more tian W4o209 seasonal cre\fics (y mpened.”” (LI Teh Chuan} “Zhe number of wornen: in industrial construction is increasing year ‘by. year, They sin the patriotic production emulation - movement with great onthusiasm: ‘Chey display EHigh dogrce of: créati power and initiative, and consliiutie: arm -inportant: force HOU. Tidtistrial construction, ‘Take for instance the textile Mdistry: where 66 percent Methecavorkers are women; In 1952, the output of cotton yarn: wes (51,1 percent -and Het cot: cloth 64,8 percent highcr: than the ourput -of: any: previous year: ‘This achiove- HE would have been impossible without the efforts of the: womer workers ‘in’ the MUNG industry. The: young: wonidn spinner Ho Chien-Asiu ‘is ‘da! odldtanding example Of oar Chinese women | work! She ereaied ‘a: new: method: ‘ot fhie-varn spinning, Which has beon popularised throughout the country. Ag a result, both: the quality and fe Guantity of textile production has been taised, the cost’ of production lowered, and Auge: sum. of money Saved: for the nation. Avlaree number: of women ‘hive worked -on the water ‘conservation: schemes.’ Pherd Te 300,000 women working on ihe Huai River Project and: the Yangise River. Deten- On Basin “alone. Vast numbots of peasant women bave: joined in aaricullival procuction, playing: ad Mportant role in’ jis rehabilitation and development: it is due tothe ‘efforts of ‘the All-China’ Democratic Women’s: Federation ‘which leads the svomen's movement of the whole country. in ‘actively mobilizing.‘ organizing Ad educating the masses of women, ‘thnt i¢ is. possible for ivomen: in China 4o-piay eh an important: role: The) women’s: organisation | has ‘become: “a. 'strong: Soree: Sm! solidating people's. democracy, in: building ‘our ‘country, and in: defending national WWity and: peace; It Has. ‘becom: the “school: for womer ‘to: cducate themselves, id Se thei cultiiral level. and to acquitc tecimeal skills, JOE === [PDF page 103] === The rapid development of the Chinese women’s movement and national peace construction are inseparable from the people’s democratic system of China, They also inseparable from the consistent peace policy of our government. We Chinese women have responded enthusiastically to all the calls ‘of the WI. and the World Peace Council and implemented all their resolutions, Three. hun and. forty million Chinese people signed the: Appeal for a 5-Power Peace Pact half of them are women, In November.1951 in response to the call of the Phaparatory: Committee of International Conference’ for the Defence of Children, we organised an All-Ch: Committee for the Defence of Children. This Committee has played an importane, in promoting ‘the care and education of children throughout the country, We. Chinese women have deep respect and feel great.concern for our Korean: si in their struggles. Women of all walks of life in China have contributed. all” might, by donating their earnings and their. most precious. possessions in. suppo! the Korean people and Korean women. We have taken care of 20,000 Korean child who lost their parents, Children’s homes and schools have been established for th and we: have invited teachers from their own country to be with ‘them. The Chinese. People’s. Government and its people have consistently taken a s' for the peaceful settlement of the Korean question, and have made. every possi effort towards this direction, Since the beginning of the armistice negotiations July 1951, the Korean-Chinese side has with the greatest patience consistently several just and reasonable proposals. In March this year, the Korean Chinese si in order to perpetuate its consistent stand for the peaceful settlement of the Korean question and to meet the aspiration for peace of the people of the world, took furt! steps with a view to solving the only remaining problem of the repatriation P.O.W.’s so that an armistice might be reached, The negotiations have been resun on this basis..The Korean Chinese side has made real concessions as. regards procedure, time, and methods’ for the repatriation of P.O.W.’s. Two. reasonable posals for the just settlement of this problem have been advanced, The United. Stai of America at one time presented the so-called counter—proposal which is con’ dictory to the draft armistice agreed upon. by both. sides. Owing to the ‘resol opposition of the people of the world and the great pressure of opinion,’ and a because of. the persistent efforts of the Korean-Chinese side, the negotiations are al to take a normal course, The delegation. of both sides of the Korean armisti ie negotiations reached pgreement on the question of the repatriation of P.O.W.’s: Far East. We demand that the problems in Vietnam and Malaya be settled peacefully thr 1 negotiation and that. the right to national independence of the peoples concerned respected unconditionally, We Chinese women resolutely oppose the’ revival of Japanese militarism: build a unified; peaceful, democratic and free country. We demand the reduction of armaments. ° We are fully convinced that. countries with ‘different social systems can co-ex! in peace, We stand for the’, davdlepniset of friendly relations between nations. We opp¢ all’ policies of blockade and -embargo. We ‘ask for ‘the rapid’ resumption strengthening of the cultural’ and material ties between nations. We demand immediate. negotiations between USA, the Soviet Union, China, Gi Britain and France and, the conclusion of a Five-Power Peace. Pact; 102 | === [PDF page 104] === “GREECE — Mrs. Helle ALEXIOU, wriier eR or several months, especially after the devaluation of the drachas, not a day has passed that does not seé more working women sacked from their jobs. Women textile workers are laid off by the thousands, which makes still more difficult the living conditions of women who, even when they are working, receive only 60°%o of a man’s wage for the same work. The women tobacco workers have been conducting a fierce struggle, alongside the “men, against the consequences of a reactionary law which permits the tobacco_ “manufacturers to dismiss skilled working men and women and replace them with unskilled workers, or with little girls, to whom they pay very low wages. For instance in the Bodossaki-Athanassaki factory in Athens, 250 children are working at present. ...The laws on protection of work, and at the same time the measures planned for the protection of mothers and children, have been abolished. In general, the women in our villages give birth like the beasts in the stable. The percentage of iterates increases from day to day. During the Congress of Teachers it was stated that the percentage of our illiterates had increased to 45%, of whom %/s are women, ~~....In May of last year for the first time women were given formal recognition of the right to vote, but 4 months later, they were excluded from participating. This year, in’ January, when elections were held in Salonica, they were allowed to vote, but ‘when the results showed that the women had voted for the candidate for peace, and “that the anti-government candidate in Salonica had obtained the majority vote, the government of Athens at the elections on 29th March, again forbade the women to vote. ... Nowhere in our institutions of higher education will you see a woman teaching. Nowhere in the Ministries, the pay-offices, the banks, will you find a “woman occupying the position of director or secretary. There is not much point in speaking of institutions of higher learning, because “-ever since the foundation of the Greek state 120 years ago, women who have been able to reach the rank of a secondary school principal “May be counted on the fingers of one hand. If women present. themselves for the examinations which are advertised for the post of inspector of schools they, are sent back. Women are excluded by law from. the position of judge and public Prosecutor, Again, in the “Sphere of civil law and jurisprudence, women’s tights are very much re- “Stricted. There are many €ases, for example, where the signature of a married Woman ist not valid unless The situation of children is tragic throughout Greece. But accompanied by that of her still more tragic is the situation of the 380,000 orphans and husband. children of imprisoned or deported patriots who remain with > only the protection of their mothers. 103 === [PDF page 105] === Mrs: Roula KOUKOULOU, Democratic Organisation of Greek Women Pip Ts. all. corners of the.country. cries of distress are heard, In the village Taxiarchis in Chalcedon, 15 people lost their sight at one and the same time thro: hunger, and many others are in danger of suffering the same fate. In the village: f Milators in Crete, they have neither bread nor oil. Our young girls are faded befo they flower. Babies die off like sparrows—380 out of a thousand within a mont! their birth. ..Unemployment is terrible; one unemployed for every worker. 80°/) of 4 population live in sheds and hovels. There are 700,000 cases of tuberculosis. *.,.The sums of money devoted to military expenditure is five times greater this current year than the so-called American “aid” which is given for war preparati Between January and 20th May, 1953, 49 parties of war makers, American,. Bri Yugoslav and Turkish generals and marshals, have come to Greece,.. The women of Greece are bravely taking their place in the struggle of people.. Recently the Minister of Labour, Gonis,: went to Cavalla. When the’ convo: 20 cars which brought the Minister drew near, the people shouted at him, “We a hungry! We want work.” Twenty-seven people were arrested, but the indignatic and protest of the people were so great. that the authorities. were obliged to. rel them shortly afterwards. ‘ In Athens, on the 4th of March, some days after the signing of the Balkan war p: a great demonstration took place against Papagos and against the imperialists, Proud and unconquerable the Greece of Beloyannis is fighting against the makers. Her fight is hard and.it is conducted in the utmost secrecy, 110: soldiers tortured recently in Makronissos because.they refused to go to Korea, The mili courts continue to pass sentence. on patriots, but nothing can hold back the tide our fight. Women textile workers are on strike alongside their companions, Wo) peasants come down into the towns in crowds with their husbands to protest, | of Social. Insurance. Our imprisoned active workers like Elli Yoannidou and Cottou, proudly defended our national freedom and peace before the fascist coi Hundreds and thousands of women.and men have signed petitions demanding pard¢ for the imprisoned fighters. This was a real referendum from the people. Ordina people sign and send fervent messages for peace to the Greek Peace Committee. Thi promise to fight with all their strength for the realisation of the resolution of Congress of the Peoples to make peace triumph. Mrs, Koukoulou:then read’ a moving letter’ from Greece sent to the Congress the wives and mothers of political prisoners. We the mothers, wives and sisters of the political prisoners have: heard with utmost interest and deep emotion the appeal of your Congress. ‘ Thousands of Greek patriots. are dying a slow death in the concentration: camp sick and deprived of the barest necessities. Their situation is becoming ‘worse fro} day to day. We have not been allowed to see our relatives or to bring them a p' of bread. They have been sent to prisons far from their homes, where we canno! to visit them nor help them, for we ourselves possess:nothing at all any more. means their inevitable liquidation. Let your voices be heard so that the sick are sent to hospital, so that the prison are, transferred to prisons’ situated near their families and homes, for a gen amnesty, for the restoration of our destroyed homes, for bringing smiles back to. faces of our little ones’ now full of bitterness, so that the dove of peace may ‘also over our country. Athens, June 3rd X -. Maria Mouratidou Athina’ Stergiou Evanghelia Nousselimen Chujssi Dambassi Elmis: Tsankarak: Maria Potaminnou * Questassia Klouti Eftymia Fapeli Trini Vlastou Tassia Glezon Antonia Hadziyanni 104 === [PDF page 106] === Mrs, Sigrid Nirup GUNDERUD — Union of Norwegian Women rwegian Feminist. Society was formed in 1884 and was followed by. a series nén’s organisations, whose. struggles achieved certain rights—at least in ich are confirmed by U.N.O.’s declaration of Human Rights. ed local suffrage in’ 1901 and universal suffrage in 1913, being one of the ies in the world to proclaim these rights. It took.20 years before a women eat-in Parliament (Storting), and today, 50 years after, there are only 7. of means 5%/p of the assembly.:There are a good few on local ‘boards—but ris far from* satisfactory. The same can~ be said of governmental governmental and local service there is the sdme pay for the same work, but um very. seldom have the opportunity to advance to the higher | positions, iste Jabour and private functionaries are concerned. women’s pay is about 60 °/n owhal ‘4he@ men. receive. st outrageous example of discrimination’ isin the bookbinding profession ‘at present 1,500 women, and 600 men are engaged..'The women are simply ved of the chance to learn ‘certain operations in order to keep them away from man’s probation. There are examples of women getting kr. 2,50 an hour while Y get kr. 8! The journeymen. stand. solidly with the women, but. the’ book- 4xy. to. prevent the case -coming within the. apprentices act: Women have ivagainst this outrageous discrimination and have sent a resolution to the (mental authorities. Oacfew years ago a widow’s pension was only 50°%/) of her husband’s. Women i demanded’ 100 %/o, then 75°%o; they obtained 60 /o. ‘heshusband of a governmental woman official received no pension; in spite of the that’ his wife had been forced to pay 10%/@ of her income, doubt. there. are ‘a series of social. institutions, but not enough to cover the ecially: for the married women who Wish to: work outside theit home. ig insufficiént and crowded conditions result in nervous break-downs. egian pedaple have pronounced themselves repeatedly against the Atlanti¢: Pact. Here is a group of women taking part in a demonstration in Oslo. 105 === [PDF page 107] === 2 SUp (il: wow on facil Mies, Birgit SCHIGTS, Women's International League ior Peace and Freedom ren: 3 i 3 | here is sadly little left for the people themselves when the war nmiachine: hi “its picking. One often gets the dispirited feeling that military chiefs do not: international conflicts can be solved in any way except by war, and they frame ‘policies accordingly. bee Beeeee nests _ ++ We must realize that in our western world there has been maintained War offices of most countries since the last war, a steady. and purposeful cam: for the introduction of conscription of women in peacetime. This will involve Thing. quite new and untried and will greatly interfere with women's rhythin 6 and their whole: existence i:: eS EOS EEE SUES ce Women will: be: indispensable in ‘a: new modern war, ‘This official military: which is built onthe experiences of the World War, gives clear expression to the that developments have brought women toa new milestone ia’ their history. - have a political platform from which they can dictate their terms, and so wi | decisive influence in the question of “war or peace’.:: +. Tt will be a long and difficult task to unite women, Tt is mecessary: io take very: wide information: campaign in all peace and. women's organizations, both various countries and on the highest international: plane,: pe Loe === [PDF page 108] === LUCKOCK, president of the Congress of Canadian Women Member of the Canadian ‘Daughters’ League re proud that nine Canadian women representing several organizations from alks of life and national backgrounds, have. been ‘able to participate in this World Congress of Women. , we live in the shadow of a powerful neighbor, the United States of America, ‘jn many other. countries of the world today that shadow reaches across our jnereasing proportions. Investment of American capital. in Canada has in- 50 %o since 1946. More and more we feel the effects of United-States domi- Moreover, we are continually subjected to American. views and opinions the medium of the radio, television, movies, and disgusting comics, to the full. © treatment in the press. J jan women rallied to the ban the bomb, the Stockholm Appeal,.and the Five ‘Peace Pact petitions, rather than support the federal government’s defense nt, Well over half the. signatures gathered. on these petitions were gathered ‘women of Canada. are asking for a Bill of Rights for women. Our seven rights include: the right velihood, the right to motherhood, the right to security, the right to health, tight to equality, the right to irfdividual development, and the right to PEACE. ‘aim is to arouse the women of Canada around these rights, to urge them to heir liberty and the future of their children, the security of their homes—to maintain peace: and co-operate with ‘all’ who. strive for similar, objectives. piration grows out of the love we bear our children and the children of the orl and is strengthened by the contribution: of men and women. who preceded S: who had as we have,-a great pride and love of our beautiful country. and its becoming increasingly. difficult to hold peace meetings in our country. Only onth, our dear friend: Dr. Monica Felton of Britain, was refused entry into ada where she was scheduled to speak. to many Canadian Peace Assemblies. would not speak of our work for peace without mentioning Mrs. Nora Rodd. nsider it a signal honor for Canada that she was chosen chairman of ‘the Interonal, ‘Women’s Commission which went to Korea, Immediately upon her return nada she travelled. across our vast-country: arousing Canadian people to a ciousness of the terrible atrocities being committed against the Korean people. ave continually demanded “Stop the War in Korea”. ‘ day the war budget is costing the Canadian people more than two billion dollars t—4,000 every minute for warfare, but there is less and less for people’s. While we are being taxed to. the limit, we are short of houses, hospitals, ‘playgrounds. and highways. Prices are ‘up, causing increasing hardships to lian families. A declining standard of living carries with it a warning about the health of Canadian citizens and children. ause of high prices, high rents and taxes, more and. more mothers: are forced ik to supplement the family income. Women workers are used by employers we wages and increase their profits. ly and. in theory, in.many respects Canadian women have a position of ity with men, We have the right to vote, to be elected to office, the right to the right to- education, the right to own property, However, in practice these tunction very poorly. Although Canadian women can have the right to be ted to public office, in 35 years—since women obtained the right to vote—only omen have been elected to the Federal Government, with never more than two a total of 250 at.any one time. 107 === [PDF page 109] === Canadian children have compulsory education up. to age of 16. However higher educational institutions we see that less than 5%o of students studyii specialized professions, are women, Of a total of 14,325 physicians and surgeon: 660 are women. In all professions women have proven themselves equally as cay as men, but professional women frequently say “to hold a job, you have to twice as well as a man and receive half the pay”. The right of married. women to work is restricted, insofar as publicly finance care centres’ and nurseries are virtually non-existent. The few remaining ce hopelessly: inadequate in face of the need, are located principally in Toronto, only a vigorous fight on the part of the parents succeeded in keeping these There is no legal provision for maternity leave for married women. 3 About one in every five Canadians belong to that group which feeds the nation. farmers. Farm women have always been more than homemakers—they have he major source of unpaid labour on the farms. Farm women often live in isolate: an lonely circumstances, and have little or no social or cultural life. ny I, as the official representative of the W.I.D.F. at the United Nations, was from ‘entering the United States. We are very proud: that Canada was: chos represent the W.I,D.F. at the United Nations, and greatly angered. at the presumpti of the United States to dictate who will or will not attend the United Nations, contravention. ofits legal agreement. We can record a victory for the women of: world in the fact that although long delayed, and limited to a, few days, I granted entry last December to attend United Nations ‘sessions, due to the w protests of women from all lands, CANADA — Mrs, Blanche GELINAS, President of the French section of the Con; of Canadian Women in Quebec; Pre great majority of French Canadians live in the province of Quebec, an im: area (17 times that of France) in which live some 4 million people. The life of our countryside is now more modernised than it was 40 years ago our country was principally agricultural, but the life of. our. women on the 1: nd) even’ harder. The number of women. in the Clothing and Tobacco industries, is greater than number. of men. In the Leather industry it is almost equal. In the very large industry more than half the workers are women. During the war years, when there was a great influx of women and young” into the vast munitions factories, it was noticed that they were prompt’in ‘joi their trade unions,-and in many cases in taking up a militant attitude within union, ji Nevertheless the position of women workers is still definitely inferior compa: that of the men—even when they are doing the same work. And this ‘is provided’ by. government decree in many cases, For instance, in the province of Quebec are in-existence 17 decrees (regulating wages in industry), which lay down 160 wage rates for women than those the men receive for the same work,:in at least The women of French Canada receive lower wages than their fellow women in eure province of Ontario where the level of industrialisation is al the same, 108 === [PDF page 110] === another ‘totton-spinners’ strike ag rrikers: held out for: 10: months. ; went: to: relieve: the: picket: he === [PDF page 111] === BRAZIL — Mrs. Odith SALDANHA, Women’s Federation from: the Sta Grande do Sul I the name of the Brazilian delegation, representing. women weavers, printers, women metal workers, women artists, housewives, journalists, civil and’ social ‘workers, we greet with emotion’ this World Congress. of Wome marks a new'stage in the organised women’s movement. The states of the North East, which are in the vicinity of two great wa suffer periodically from terrible droughts which decimate entire population: million tormented souls live in this misery, In Rio de Janeiro, the so-called wonder-city, it is not Possible to hide the h who climb into the hills where 500,000 people are living in’ hovels: made of tin, where there are not even any water facilities. It is, alleged in official circles that we have the most perfect labour “legisl: the ‘world. The women worker who misses work or arrives late loses the enti and loses the right to receive the latest wage increase. This is in accordane the so-called 100 %o attendance law. Many concerns only engage. women employe who sign.a contract pledging to.remain single, This is in order to avoid the ‘par of maternity benefits.;: If we consider that the rent for a hole in the hillside costs about. 600. cruz kilo of meat 25 cruzeiros, of ricé 15, of beans 8 cruzeiros, we may calculate working class family lives in Brazil, In the metal industry where the number of women workers “is increasing tinually, women’ work without masks to protect them. against’ inhaling’ acids out gloves to protect them against the terrible burns caused by metal objec’ _ drawn with the bare hand to be plunged into great tins for cooling off. Sixteen million women are to be found among our rural, population. In Riodo Sul, 96,000 women work in rice plantations. They pass the entire day in the and receive/15 cruzeiros a day.: In this state a consumers’ strike mobilised almost the entire population: In | Maria, the women took part in demonstrations against the high prices of goods succeeded in getting the price of meat reduced from 10 to 5.50 cruzeiros: In ¢ places. together with the trade unions the population demanded and won a red in the level of prices. In. the federal district the weavers struck for. 51 days. At present in Rio de Janeiro, women civil servants organised in ‘committees the direction of thé. women’s department of the Public und Civil -Cervants Uni struggling-for a wage increase and for setting. up nurseries for their children s . of the public employees in'the country are women. The majority earn 1,400 cruzei The great workers’ movement in Sao Paulo last. Aprils opened a new page history of the Brazilian People’s struggle und particularly in the Brazilian: wi “women expressed theier solidarity with the strikers. Three women’s sections organised in the trade unions) groups formed. to collect money, to act as pickets, to operate two large canteens. which were opened to feed the strikers, The’ worker: unity was not shaken by threats, nor corruption, nor betrayal. The workers 1 victorious and. won'a raise of 32%o in their wages. They did not return. to work the strikers who had been arrested were released. Such was the result of the str of the workers of Sao Paulo of whom 50°%s were women. Amongst others wii here, are four delegates elected in the Strikers’ Assembly, one of whom was wou by the: police, the young weaver, Inez Augusta. ib: 110 === [PDF page 112] === rs. Elisa BRANCO, Dressmaker, Women’s Federation of the State of Sao Paulo Tn Brazil 700,000 children die each year, of whom 350,000 die before the age of years. They die from malnutrition, lack of vitamins, and intestinal disorders used on a large scale by the lack of nourishment from the mothers’ breast. In the leral district there is only one hospital for children maintained by the government a population of 2,413,152 inhabitants, in which the figures for the female element Yeaches the figure of 885,842....8,000 mothers die every year as a consequence of childbirth. ,..Tuberculosis is prevalent in the Federal District and Brazil has the highest rate in the world for this disease....There is only one hospital for Civil Servants in the mole of Brazil. Nevertheless the civil servants in all the states are forced to make ntributions from their salaries for medical and social assistance which is practically n-existent. The government alleges that is has no money to support them and to crease wages and salaries. The civil servants know, however, that war expenditure ches 6,339,378 cruzeiros, without counting the expenditures of the mixed foreign mmissions, and now, with the Military Pact, the expense of American officials, while the budget of the Ministry of Education and Public Health hardly reaches 497,474 cruzeiros. It is the first time that women civil servants have united and organised themselves for the defence of their rights. .The Brazilian Women’s Federation displays activity in educating and assisting ‘ildren. Thanks to the Federation, schools, children’s clubs and social centres have n created in several states. In Espiritu Santo, there is a medical consultation centre for mothers and children. «More and more military bases are being built. The historic fortress of Recife the houses of the popular district of Caju, in our capital, have been destroyed “order to built naval bases. In Minais Gerais, an atom town has been built under average wage Worker varies 700 and 800 Stuzeiros. If we conler the fact that Tent for a shack 0, cruzeiros per th, that a kilo Meat costs 25 cru- 15 cruzeiros, an imagine how Orker’s family in lountry lives.’ . Odite Saldanha) lil === [PDF page 113] === the control of the American authorities. The mixed Brazil-U.S. Commission w: headquarters are at the Ministry of War, has technical commissions in all ministries: which control the whole administrative, political and economic life of our country; ... Bearing in mind the sufferings endured by the Korean mothers, the Brazi women will redouble their efforts to prevent the ratification of the Brazilmilitary agreement. This pact forces our country to supply conscripts for the so-cal “Defence of the Western hemisphere” and the “free world”. ... Women have sent thousands of telegrams to their deputies and senators, aj to the President of the Republic, during the discussion of this Pact at the Loy House and at the Senate. Ii has been estimated that one and a half million of thi messages reached the legislators.: ...Hundreds of municipal councils including the capital, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Pernambuco, where there is the greatest concentration of people, have vote protest-motions against the ratification of this Pact. Town governors of the interio deputies, senators, and prominent personalitics of the capital and other Brazili; towns have declared themselves against ratification. 3 ... Resolutions against it were adopted at all the women’s assemblies held preparation for the World Congress of Women. 11 neighbourhood conferences we} held in Fortalezza, the capital of the state of Ceara, 10,000 signatures collected | women in Rio Grande do Sul were handed over to the Federal House. 30 wome from Sao Paulo brought 10,000 more signatures to the House and took part in + big protest meeting in Rio de Janeiro which united the delegates from the vario states. Throughout the country, women have taken action against this pact und the most varied forms and involved in joint action women from the most diver; strata and opinions, i All these facts show the will for peace of the Brazilian women. They are convinced! that the possibility of avoiding war by means of agreement between the great powerg increases from day to day. The wives of the railwi workers in Cruzeiro have dé monstrated against the delay: paying the workers their wagt This picture shows one these demonstrations. 112 === [PDF page 114] === niative: of men reading, the:1 rograrne I rid; you have been very oe cal: One! cannc 1 ity: for individuals and refuse: it: to: great: & eCeSS: ‘of your appeal which has had sith a the? 7p esence at: this Ponsrers of: Jaree AS === [PDF page 115] === It required the emancipatory winds of the‘last century’ and the national re of 1919 for the Egyptian woman, so long withdrawn and veiled, to realize at la: true personality. Patriotism, ‘stronger than prejudice; made the women of Egyp' an active part in the nationalist movement. They set-up committees, made 5; wrote protests -and did not hesitate to'go out in. the ‘streets. Braving the bayonets, they: took. part in ‘the memorable demonstration of March 1923, whi +been sung and extolled by all our poets. The heroine of this historic day was Charaouy who is unanimously respected by her compatriots. Over 20 years a veritable revolution has taken place in the way of lif middle. class. Qur girls, formerly kept in ignorance and married at an early a their parents to a husband whom they had never seen, can now finish their si thanks to. the law fixing 16.as the minimum. age for marriage. The university its doors to them in 1928, And-each year an ever increasing number of women duate from the different faculties to enter the liberal professions, governmen’ and commercial undertakings, Today, with the exception of the magistrature: diplomatic. corps, women. are eligible for every public office, Some of ‘them distinguished: themselves. as journalists, aviators.and actresses. The num) "women in commerce and industry grows’ progressively as new classes (of enjoy.compulsory education. Perhaps the recent conservative. opposition to. the recognition of women’s righ vote is a last attempt to halt the movement for political social freedom ‘so m feared by reactionaries, Our parliament, which is composed solely of men whi jealous of their prerogatives and who have no wish to give up their privilege: ’.,ignored our social and women’s claims up to the present. They are aimed at impro of the living conditions of. our people in ensuring women, children, and women, security, protection and welfare,: More than ever before the granting of political rights to women has now. a necessity, Subject to the same obligations as men, they should possess rights, principally that of being able to have some say in the financial, economi foreign policies of their government in legislative: assemblies. At. this critical ‘time when the danger of war is oppressing distressed Egyptian women, conscious of their responsibility to their children, have dec press firmly for their political rights, They do this with the same streng' determination: with which they will fight for the safety of the children whom have brought: into the world and to procure for them the happiness to which are entitled. ‘i Upheld by the thoughts and sympathy of all the unhappy mothers of Ki Vietnam, Kenya, Tunisia, whose children, victims of barbarous aggression, have killed, we pledge ourselves to fight for the victorious fulfilment of the. resolu taken at the People’s. Congress with regard to the right of the people to decide own future, the immediate cessation of present hostilities and the signing of a Pact between the Five Great Powers.; 114 === [PDF page 116] === nar With ebiid Taypitan pease BUVET Nis. Santiak RACKED -- dember. of the: National Council of Peace Partisans: W. Beyvotian women have united around the appeal al -the: Goneress as we did! ut Me time GY ‘tte | forbhation of (ie Committee of People’s: Resistance. Our delegation.is Somposed: Gf. meniboys sof different: women’s organisations, with different: pullcieul Jeehings but we yi feel that the Congress is ours and we undertake to do- our: best POMARY HH KnowWwA ‘on out returi, and to fight for the application of the: resolutions whith we have. passed heve logether do Egypt we haw We struggic for the. cvacuatton: of ‘the Suez Canal. for our Mdpendence. Phis ig aiso our slrugele for’ peace, We do nel. want bur country to he A Daye ol ageression: for the coming wart: We “du not want this pact uf ugercssion, Maleh cis called’ the “pact. of colleckive secuwily.. Medilierrancan: Pact, or. pact: for the ReMeed “Of the Middle: East: EDP us. war preparations (mcan a erisis inithe festile industry, aad uriemployment for out: women Workers whose working conditions: wero in’ any: case very ‘bad. Their Wakesmare lower ‘than: ‘those ‘of men, and: they: da‘ noi: shave: ‘any: sacial. securily Servieos ov family. allewanecs; - Their: rhdternity ‘leave ‘is often denied tliém,- and equentle LRGY -Sariceal their céndition; being! alraki.of losing their jobs. Taday ‘there So Serious. unemployment: ¢: in. the: industrial: centres: of Choabra, El Ehcimi OM Mahalia BE Hobra, : Por Ms-Avar- preparations ‘mean ‘that hospitals reraain closed: Toe lack of money. with which {Opay their: staff, We have ‘an urgent. ‘necd of hospitals ‘eince there are only: a of thenr for acpopulation of 20 milion. We:fuve an urgent need ‘for schaolse64 a of AVOIRen: are- Miterale, We ‘need. dispensarics, ‘maternity: homes, and ércehes. The infant mortatity rate’ is: one: of the ‘highest in’ the world, Msis‘in the country Ade ousticulanty ‘thal bis rate reaches its greatest height, since the peasant women are ened medical “assiiance. “Chey live with their fantilies wader: conditions of indeserib: SDL poverty) ubsanitary ‘housing, Ic of water dnd‘ electricity. Phe most: dangerous sees" in--Heypt ave: drachorna, -bilharaia: (an: inteslinal disenvé) Vand: enchylosioma Seas af the: bens). L: === [PDF page 117] === EGYPT — Mrs. Mehassein MOHAMMADI presents the message from the Eye peasant women I bring you the greetings of many of my peasafit sisters on whose behalf J ‘speaking. Since my marriage I have been living in town. I come from Beheira, province in the Egyptian country where men and women live and.work in the saj manner as their ancestors did ages ago. We live isolated. We do not read the n papers, and we know nothing of life but our work in the field by the side of ¢ husbands, our small huts of mud, and our children who are obliged to work it the very moment they are able to walk. We cannot offer them any sort of happint One day we heard of other women who were fighting together to better their ¢c ditions of life and the conditions of women all over the world, and.a new hope wr born in our hearts. We wanted to know them, and we wanted them. to hear. voices. That is why one of us decided to come to the Women's Congress, I ha never left my country before, and I was afraid. I took the aeroplane. and J \ha come, bringing you the message of my sisters. We all have faith in your cause and in a better future for our children. Thank yo In front of Parliament women demand their political rights, legal recognition, and a péace politys 116 === [PDF page 118] === xploitation: for ihe ‘African: of colonialists jen (hvough 3 Bie tmoverne at to yore ates ough: === [PDF page 119] === the: prevention: of tubercuiosis, “healin: for: Sobial needs, fae: delegation a What: can: we bullets, had: thi badis: had:die whe became: colonial strug: agaist repre leaders; She : Only Buropean worncn. ages African women have the firm hope and the ti solonialism, because they will be inspired and supporied their si e _ countries represented here in Copenhaxen. They will work foray: gainst cok nd agbinst the sending of their sons and brothers to Indo-China and Madaka “engage in war and repression. They will struggle so that one day peace WIL ¢ whole World, so that they can rear and educate: their chil dignity, and to respect all liberties. — Beene: PEERS EE SEEEES EOE ook ing t port of a councilor of the MRP. (a Christian De: French Party), because of lack of meat the African peaple of the Equa “eaich: rats, It as the women who do it, and it re ults in a disease called. live in unhealthy huts: In the great cities ey are distinctly « 5 r white: people. This bad condition of living is the source of nu sepidémics. "Phe medical ‘sittiation is as follows: In Ivory. Covst. Togo, and G ‘anfant mortality is 33s in the Grst two years of life; malaria 860,000. cases pe: leprosy, 180,000; iuherculosis, 25,000; syphilis, 250,000. Eeetes BEERE ASS rw b, Schools, and rMghts as: human ‘be 5, in order ¢ conditions, Tt is from you, the women of all: countries ‘p === [PDF page 120] === PAG — = Rosa WEIS — from the Union of Luxemburg Women rking people of our éaunteg are now waging.a ara and. bitter struggle to heir wages which are-particularly low. jt the government ptomised. to increase Women’s wages ‘ip to 90 */s of the, ages. They did not keep this promise. They limited ‘this increase to “specific” work in factories. The. great majority of working women officially have only t-to 80 %o of men’s wages when doing the same work, and in many factories even less..The conditions of young. female workers, female apprentices and workers ete. are particularly bad. Wages of 2,000 franes a.month and even: less, the average, although even according to official statements. the minimum cost, of ave: to work for-12 hours and more-a day for 2,300 francs a month, regards social services, the position is no better. The workers” social benefits juite inadequate, whereas the insurance contributions they have to pay are’ high. a fifth of their wages is deducted for taxes and health.insurance contributions, ‘ker must always pay part of his medical treatment: rganisation. is leading the struggle for improvement of working and living ions for women workérs, This is done by meetings, petitions to the- responsible orities, distribution of leaflets, and demonstrations. organisation intervened on every occasion for the improvement of education: n-teachers’ salaries. are lower than those of the men teachers and they are ing to raise the pension age for female teachers to sixty instead of 55 years now. In case of marriage they are penalised by a separate tax, as are also Sections of married working women. Equality of women in’ our country exists * only. re leading a steady fight balbst the increasé in-rents which has been given mentum by the housing of the Schumann-Plan-Authorities and which. the ment: now wants to legalise with the aid of a new Rent Law. Monthly rents of to as francs for an average flat are more and more becoming the rule, Young e oh rent. UXEMBURG — Mrs, Marie DOUVEN — Housewife lers of our country have included Luxemburg in the. bloc. policy of certain wers who are preparing war. Military service, which up to now was unknown ttal Luxemburg, has been introduced. The conscription period was. very soon from 6 months to one year, plus 6 months reserve. service. An aerodrome has built for the use of the American airforce which has so far cost something like ion, «A terrific sum, if you take into consideration the. fact that our population 300,000. ig the last war one third of our country was destroyed, over 30,000 inhabitants ixemburg were deported; moved; or dragged off. Thousands died. sy “Weapon and for a Five Power Pact, the women of the Union of Luxemburg 4 en took an active part and obtained thousands. of signatures in the factories, ig from door to door, particularly; and in the marketplaces, ete: re were 3.women among the 7 delegates from Luxemburg who went. to the in Vienna, eparation for the World Congress of Women we organised a campaign. of ition, distributed the appeals of the W.I.D.F., and organised a national 200 francs. For. example, in. the State-controlled railways there are women ~ Signatures.were collected against the military. law, for the banning of. the © === [PDF page 121] === Mins, erdig JERLEY -—~ om: behalf ef the: Women’s Internatignal Co-opprative © to: this conierence: of women fron allm shes: OF fhie: International Casepetati ve. (weme: T. isa: gréat: honour of the aworkd: the ‘gree! Gand Oi ‘orpanisation is noapolitieal: and bas ‘Memsers ih some Be countries. Gi obsect, natuvally, cis to: spread: knowlextge: ‘of: the ‘co-operative principles ‘anet edi Wormer in: the: cé-operative idea’: But cin “all uur. branches ‘we: take! up the one # problenis: codce: Ring wwanten and: children, whieh “are ptésent eveltywherd: ih then for me to: cons and: host Measure: af We welcome: the: offorts tf other organisations ‘l6: securc for wamen and: dnd 3 al botlor: standiig--ih¢ | offerts: 10° give ies sweatin equal rihts: sscch 7 tei, 86: evonarmic: politicalt fortis: to give the children: the best possibilities hé@alihy wind ahd: bodv--to give thom care dad -cducailon, prefection and satel Last: pod net: least, war oshure she hopes of wumen ‘and: mothers: that ways! means: may: be found: to secure’a veal and lasting -peace: 4 Work Thee do 6 ahve ‘hose sealers “We hope and wish hat this conaites have: Success ‘and: gUdd! results. OYPRES AL gre Gane: ata 2s B Md: Wateeks fol, to: === [PDF page 122] === — Mrs. Andriana CHRISTOFOROU — Dressmaker, Democratic Organisation ~ of Cypriot Women -: Jot of Cypriot women is tragic. ‘Their labour power is considered a cheap odity and therefore the principle of equal pay for equal work’ is disregarded. yvorking conditions of women are miserable. Women. farm labourers are beset hy bles of hard everyday life and are heavily in debt. All that is in store for ‘omen farm labourers of Cyprus is a life of hard daily toil without comforts. verage wage of a working woman’ barely buys a loaf of bread, an oke of and 100 grams: of meat. health services are neglected. There ig no real care for the protection of erhood, nor for the protection of the child. The expectant’ mother is obliged to ‘kk until the day of the child’s birth, often under’ the most adverse conditions, i pent any proper care, mentary education in Cyprus is not compulsory. There is not even a single creche ildren, with the result that-they are left unattended in the streets when the er goes. to’ work. 2. housing shortage is acute..For instance, in a town with a population of about 0,000, 2,284 people live in caves and 1,013 children live in places where the sunlight penetrates, Tuberculosis and other serious diseases are widespread. Ya of the women aged 15 to 63 aré wholly illiterate. The women of Cyprus have, * yet been enfranchised. Colonial legislation in this case, as in others, puts r sn on the same footing as convicts and idiots. Corruption and traffic in women uses great hardship to women, especially those of the poorer strata. Although ostitution is regarded as illegal, the number. of women driven by- social conditions ) selling their honour for a living is very great. rus, four-fifths of whose population are Greeks; has been under British occum for 75 years, The women, with the rest of the people, fight to rid themselves of onial yoke and secure the national independence of ‘their country and its with Greece, their mother country. We watch the struggle being made by our ‘S in Greece for national liberation and democracy in Greece and Cyprus. Strategical importance of Cyprus, which assumes ‘extraordinary ‘significance days, leads the foreign ruler to turn our country into a war base for use against tional liberation movements of neighbouring countries and to suit the plans e warmongers. The women of Cyprus hate war and oppose the above mentioned $s of the British authorities by continual struggle in order that they may frustrate arlike designs of the imperialists. The women of Cyprus took part in a great ‘war demonstration to protest against the visit of units of the American. fleet to Qf Cyprus. Many of them were arrested and fined by the court. - F ei dures of women comprised 50°%/o of those collected.in.Cyprus to» the ckholm Appeal, the Appeal for a Five Power Peace Pact and the Appeal of the rus Peace Committce. against the transformation of Cyprus into a war base: } women ‘of Cyprus unite our voices with all the women of the world against the Korea and other countries, and ask the interested governments to continue egotiations. for an armistice and for a treaty of friendship between the Five Powers. 121 === [PDF page 123] === US Ss: SR, —. My La KOUKHARENKO = Doctor of Economic Science W omen’s conditions in particular have been radically changed under the ‘regime, in a way unprecedented in history. Soviet women enjoy all rights with men, These rights are not only proclaimed, they are. also guaranteed.b the constitution and by the creation of the necessary conditions for their ap! -In our country, the right work is guaranteed to every man and wom employment hag been Hquidated in our country for a long time, and socialist; production ensures to all Soviet citizens jobs in accordance with their qualiti and abilities. ...The perfecting of technical. processes, the mechanisation of producti general improvement in the: working. conditions, have facilitated the, work fields and opened the way to new professions for women, In the Soviet Un can’ see women working at. automatic lathes, managing hydroelectric. ‘static working as technicians in workshops, or as engineers. The Soviet women are of. factories. and collective farms: They drive engines, tractors and combines. make Scientific discoveries, geological expeditions, archeological research, an plans for gigantic buildings. Many Soviet women work in the field of literatu: art. They create works of high artistic value which reveal all the depth of the Soviet people and their noble ideals,. provided to qualify. women and enable them to reach high positions. Educati accessible’ and compulsory, first of all because iit is free. and then because ‘c from the various. nationalities are taught in their mother language. Nearly half o} students: in the higher institutions are women, ’,,.'The Soviet State and pedple demonstrate their regard for mothers. Anim} network of pre-natal consultation centres, hospitals, polyclinics and restin; have been created to take care of the mother’s health. There is a whole. syst protection. for mother and child. All mothers get free medical ecare- in mat homes, The working conditions of pregnant women are carefully looked afte: .. Canteens with. low prices, laundries, clothing workshops, semi-manufi products, all help’ the work of housewives, and enable them to look’ after homes and children as well.as take Part in the life of their. country. .++ Women in our country represent a great creative force. They are building with men, a new life;.a new society whose basic law is the maximum satisfacti the material and cultural needs of the people.. ‘ As-a result of the price reduction policy, the prices of the main consume! have decreased by half in the course of the last five years. In.the post-war years alone buildings providing 150 million square m habitable surface have been built in cities and workers’ communities..Almost houses have been built in the countryside, The. Soviet women know that together with all the people they are builata radiant life and that through their work and -participation in the ‘economi their country they are contributing to the raising of the material and cultura’ of the Soviet people. This is the basis of a new conception of work and bring: éreat. moral satisfaction. P === [PDF page 124] === .S.R. — Mrs. Nina POPOVA — President of the Soviet Women’s Anti-Fascist Committee * oviet women, like all Soviet people, hold that all controversial international ‘oblems can be settled by means of negotiation between the countries concerned, means of a peaceful settlement. The spirit of negotiation and peaceful settlement m and must triumph over the spirit of force and dictation. Voicing the will of our entire people, the Government of the U.S.S.R., in reply to 1¢ Address of the Congress of the Peoples for Peace, proclaimed “its sincere readiness 0. cooperate with the governments. of other states in attaining the lofty aims of conlidating universal peace and international security”. The history of the Soviet Union and its foreign policy completely refute the lie that the U.S.S.R. allegedly es Not want peace and peaceful cooperation between countries with different social id economic systems. The representatives of the most diverse public circles, political views, and religious convictions, who visit the U.S.S.R., see for themselves that no one in our country $ war, and that the Soviet state supports peace and sincere international cooperation; that it is for peaceful competition between the different social and economic systems. They see for themselves that tremendous peaceful construction has en launched in our country for the good of the people and to meet man’s material id cultural requirements. And this is utterly incompatible with an arms drive, with aggressive aims and schemes. World public opinion received with approval the recent statements of the leaders the Soviet government on the possibility of achieving by peaceful means, a settlement of all controversial issues. At the same time life daily furnishes fresh con- ‘firmation of the advantages of a policy of negotiation over a policy of force. Throughout these past weeks world-wide attention has been focussed on the orean village of Panmunjom. That, as you know, is the scene of the peace talks tiated after a long interval by the governments of the Korean People’s Democratic ‘public and the Chinese People’s Republic. The proposals of these governments, ipported by the Soviet Union and other peace-loving states, were received with enormous satisfaction in all, even the most remote, corners of the globe. Talks on basis of these proposals have already led to a speedy and favourable solution of ¢. problem of exchanging sick and wounded prisoners of war. he post-war years alone. buildings providing 150 million square meters of habitable surface We been built in cities and workers’ communities Almost four million houses have been built in the countryside.” (Mrs. Khoukarenko, U.S.S.R.) ‘alingrad, completely destroyed, a new city is being built. Here is Peace Street with its flats. The construction of the city is carried out enthusiastically, Alexandra Tcherkassova, ether with other women, organised the first gang for clearing the ground and reconstruction. 123 === [PDF page 125] === The question on the agenda now is’ that’ of an: armistice, of ‘a complete sto: war which has been in progress for about three, years and which’ brings. so: sufferings to. the.people, not only of Korea, but of other countries as well. Ui ately, the American military delegation at Panmunjom continues ‘the policy crastination of the settlement. of the Korean ‘problem, and this policy is arov criticism in all.countries. Such prominent. statesmen and public’ leaders “as Minister Nebru:.of* India, former. Prime Minister Attlee of Britain, and infiue organs of the press in the United -States and: countries of Western Europe, urged that this policy be. abandoned. Itis our duty, the sacred duty, of the women of all countries and nations t that all the obstacles to. a. favourable outcome of the talks ‘at Pena oO removed. Many other present-day interhational problems «also await a just sola applies, for one,.to the German problem. Itapplies to the Japanese, the Ai and other disputed issues in “international relations. All. of them can de a provided the parties. give up. the so-called policy of force; provided they sincere respect for the national interests and sovereignty of all nations, big any The Soviet.people have always adhered to the view that every nation has thi to.a free and independent existence. The nations are entitled to decide thei: themselves, and.no.one can deprive them of this’ right, force another wa z another system; another culture, upon them. In our country there is complete ex and friendly cooperation among the peoples. This is borne out most’ strikingly life of the peoples of the Caucasus, Central Asia and other border regions of our country, who were formerly oppressed by tsarism. Today these national ‘rey have become. flourishing. countries, with a highly. developed: industry: and agri and a rich national culture. Needless. to say, the resumption of normal trade and economic. relations undoubtedly contribute to easing the tension in present-day: world. affairs. It this‘ reason that many. public leaders and organisations in different countries and more. frequently. advocate the. establishment of normal economic "relatio: peaceful competition between countries with different social systems, the trium; the ‘spirit of co-operation. Finally, the strengthening of peace and friendly international: co-operati certainly promoted by. the expansion of cultural and ‘social intercourse, In th year alone bundreds. of the most.diverse delegations form more than. fifty. ¢ have been to the Soviet Union,.The number of delegations visiting our cou creases with every year: The U.S.S.R. is visited by. people of. the mo political opinions, They include liberals and_ progressives, social-democrats. a: servatives, radicals and republicans, and many others. Influenced by. 1 nid: oe ee influence of facts and their unhampered intercourse with the Soviet people, card such prejudices and ‘tell the truth about-our country when back home. countries. The Soviet. public is ‘willing to make every effort to extend further these: ti is, the mutual exchange-of delegations of social organisations, ‘represen’ eulture and art, exhibitions, literature and: so’ forth. 124 ':; ASR GeSE Ro suet === [PDF page 126] === are Ope: erable: rnothers: to: Bo to: Work:! Alaees; Packs. sanatoria, echideal aiid: bidligical: Cenities: ark wo: Extent 1074 development: of ebitiren, and: baer their: eee fi the ‘enfltiren: novle aspirations. and..odi in: ‘and: deep’ love: of their: countrys on The eraoeer City: ins AxtcK, === [PDF page 127] === AUSTRALIA — Mrs. Florence DAVIS — Secretary of the Cafe, Hotel and Re: Workers Union of New South Wales I am very happy to bring warm. greetings to this magnificent Congress thousands of women workers who ate members of the Union of which I hav secretary for the past 13 years. The Australian workers are at present engaged in both offensive and def struggles in regard to economic conditions. Both are of utmost importance to workers, We were in the unique position of having won increased wages for wi drawn into war industries, by the decisions of a. Women’s Employment Board under National Security Regulations, in spite-of bitter opposition from the em} Women joined. in the struggle for equal pay and in some jobs initiated i carriage cleaners stopping work to enforce this demand, Because of° the U, insistence on equal-.rates.for. women in the transport industry, tram conduct milk carters, bread carters and, in the postal industry, mail Sorters, “in the industry, meat workers were ‘paid the same rate as men. The decision.of the Women’s Employment: Board gave women worker: industries ‘amounts from 80 to 90%%o of the male’ rate. This continued ‘fo 8 years, but at the expiry of the regulations, employers. smartly cut the ‘ra 75 %o. Although this type of production had fallen, and only. a few hundred ‘wo! were still employed, they were very quick to stop work and demand a continuan 90°/o, The women in three industrial cities waged strikes for. as‘long as 13 week: In the Postal Department, women comprised 68 °/o of mail sorters andr equal pay, Recently many were dismissed, being replaced by males newly * The Department’s policy was to cut across equal pay. intending ‘to re-engagi capable experienced women at a later date on a lower rate, The dismissed employees held meetings. and struggled against, the decision, 4 women, however, set up an Equal Pay Committee and have-sent along a delegz this conference to represent them. Until the war, women were, mainly employed in domestic, utility and light -m facturing, and their basic rate of pay for years had! been 45 %o of the male base with varying margins for skill. - To meet the demands of this section of women workers, and to overcome labour shortage, the government was forced again to legislate. It passed a Fe Minimum Rates Regulation, which raised the base rate to. 75°/o for women in industries—hospitals, textile, rubber, boots, clothing. This still left some’ thousan the old base rate of 540 increased to 75%o in the last 2 years only; after. mi activity on the part of the unions. Teachers have recently won 80 %o to 85/) and: continually campaigning for equal pay. Australian women, with the exception of the majority of aboriginal worhen, the right to vote at the age of 21, but do not exercise their right to be nominated to social and economic factors; only 5 women are now. serving in a Partiame 420 members. ‘ The aboriginal population numbering 70,000 has few political, social or econor xights. Only in restricted circumstances do they enjoy free citizenship. a In the territories of Nauru and New Guinea for which Australia holds trustees under the United Nations, the native Population has few yeni. Mortality rate high as 250 to 300 per thousand. Aborigine women are employed in the main.as poorly paid, hard- -working aie, on cattle and sheep’ stations. 126 === [PDF page 128] === don"t: Rnow t aut ‘gutter is kindergartens: ard 'spartsgrounds ‘art ago: ‘th Ar tivation Cou in mployers’ associations asking thal it in the -women's pen of: 150 === [PDF page 129] === AUSTRALE: — Mes, doves BGAN: — “Wnion of: Australian Women New South 9 ‘sidn.: Baby ‘Health Centres: are Tn Australia there has’ been: an coutbreak of scurvy, the: first-time since theiast de iving ‘tablets as-a: substitute for oranges: which mothers ate no! longer able: to afford. ‘Through ‘high prices ‘and ‘inadequate Meeies consumption: per: head: of butter, -meat,. potatoes; and: eggs; ‘is: falling. ite DECEE Jtnpossible for w idows, | old aged: and ‘invalid pensioners, as “well as mothéte: w hia ‘om inadicdudte child enclowment and: unemployed allowances: Our army of unenp) grows. Women ‘are ‘represeoted on committees with artists; doctors; lawyers, educati parents. ahd: citize’ clereymien, trade: unionists, and: other. professional “peapk eambat: the: pornicious culture ‘which cis meted lout tol sur children aiid: adits: farm: of ‘comics,. films: and: radio, to try’ and: develop: acrieh: Australian -ondiure ine place, and 6 eliltivatd ‘the ‘best possible Culture of: an: inlernationsl character, Wormer ‘are also: participating: in important: canferdnaces | and: maveridnts: ‘dalla such ‘orpanizations as ‘the “Peachers Federation: and ‘other trace vunions: ty |dofcr health, ‘cducation ‘and: housing: of our ‘children. Ohe: of tHe Most: Peden: and-vivid -exaniples. Of action” was ‘a: National we deputation (te. Canborra, whith ‘is the Federal seat: ot our. Government, ih Mand this year. Ht was. sponsored: by: ihe Union ef Australian Women. Oyer 860: aidm|en i6ek pari in the depuiation, representing: many ‘hune women ren. all over Ausitalia. Some travelled distances. of ‘up ‘te:2:500: mes te: part, Phe important: aspect: of this acxsion was that: handrods: of: ordinary: wot the! first time ‘took:astep: derward ta defend: ard improve: the: lives:of their ‘he and chiliiven, Keon: deor ‘to: door this deputation was discussed: It! was ‘decide a: woman trom: their lecality; from their. street, would: go: on their: behalf ty sas a‘ lovat “hospital, for better housing, for kindergartens ‘und: move: schools: ‘torin Sanitary is. for emplovment for. their huspands. for: decent: films: dnd -be their chil: ren,: and for: World ‘Peace. On ‘the: sume -duy hundreds of trade unioniats presented: their: demands Over: LAM -delevates! representing Vabious ‘sertions of thé Australian: people, for: homes ‘und their children, assembled: outside Parliament: Mouse:: Admit fs House was refused: a cordon: of police: - being: placed: om: fire: steps: politicans yefused. to meat the dclegaiions, buf upan ‘seeing. how many: were a few politicians under pressure came out ta meet those from their ave 4 The majority remdined: behind locked Aoors, The defence: -budg red as an oxcuse for the lack of amenitics Joy women and children. The majority of Ausiralian women are opposed to war, Becatse.of our coumige participation in the war in Korea, Australian bogs, in many eases against ‘the ef mother, sisters, and wives. cause suffering and anguish to ‘our. Koréan ahdldren.s < In Victoria. recently a member of the Union: of Ausivalian Women::ear 1,000 homes and’. recorded 4 96.5 vote for a cease fire in Korea. / One or peace worker. contacted: her own public opinion poll, which recorded 72.5425 in-davor ofa cease, fire. In cne: week she collected in’ the: Prime Ministe elécloraie 250 signed letters calling fara cease fire, Australian. worhen axe aware of ‘the danger. of Japanese rearmament. ‘The ¢ ofthe ANZUS. Pact which permits: the use of our Australian ‘sons on: any. baltiel qaust- be anade clear tc all. 328 === [PDF page 130] === : Bei CaeUL: = = Peasant woman, ms nit 10 € oe our country. in ihe Agaressive plans of: ‘great camp cof fighters for peace is atising--fighters who come from: (pite of hindrances and obstacles, 42%0 of the aduls 8 eople from: all: sections of {he population’ have signed: Israel contamed ® two ° paragraph Firstly for a Pact: ne and icondly against the armament of Germany. Ave constantly demanding from the:Israxli Government “voici in the United Nations to press for the ‘sotation of ite: gemiree ee rorld: by means. ‘of peaceful: negotiation, fhe terrible Nazi harvest in the second world wai ere brutally exterminated | by (he: Fascist: savage 3 were more than’a million children,: tends ‘to: spread discord: and instigate. hostile =: e an: perectient of: true eace between Israel Os turn: our seer ydadt reeting into-am cvery- ‘and the Arab States, for the: World,:::- 2 acl | hat ises in full practice: i which. ate called: in tz named Ma'abaroth, SOiy: Of Ue whole Israeli emocralic Ore === [PDF page 131] === We fight against any “kind: of nationalist. propaganda or discrimination. \ do’ ‘all-in’ -our* ability in order that the women of Isracl and of the neigh countries may live in. peace, without fearing that their dearest might. be torn: from their midst..: ISRAEL — Mrs. Ruth LUBICH — ‘General Secretary of the Democratic Wo Organisation of Isracl ee: I am very sorry to have to tell you that the whole of our. delegation cann present at,this Congress. The government of Israel has refused visas for 2 de ».. Many women, took part inthe mass demonstration. against the Amik Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dulles, because they know very, wel it would mean iif his plans. for an aggressive Mediterranean bloc should come Before the visit of Mr. Dulles, various representatives’ of Israel gave their -to the: provision of 200,000 Israeli troops in. case of war. At several Meetings passed resolutions protesting against sending. their sons to fight for Aj millionaires: é There are. many women in: the world who still do not believe in the str this struggle for’ peace, but even those women themselves feel the effect “preparations for war, in the. rising numbers. of unemployed, tens. of -thousa’ people having lost their jobs, and in the constant rise in the prices of food whi already: increased. by. several percent, Even bread, the main food of the peoph risen in price by 125%) within the last year. Women are understanding more more why. 40,000 children could not enter school last year, why 70 %o. of children do not have any schools, why the population is getting such very poor treatment, and why 250,000:new emigrants are having to live in appalling tents barracks under very bad hygienic conditions..They. realize how ridiculous a amounts which have been proposed.as. the budget for education, health ‘and. \ Services. Our: women. are fighting with all their strength against this situation is very hard for our women and children, especially. among the new emigrants the Arabian population. They are collecting signatures ‘and petitions, are send delegates, and‘are organising mass demonstrations in the streets. ‘They ‘are dem: work, food, and new schools for their. people. Women donot get equal pay for equal work. Only government officials, di and teachers réceive’ equal pay. In industry, women get:on the average 60.%% wages of their male. colleagues. The highest wage—68%o of the man’s—is p women in, the food industry.-There are industries, in which. women only. get ‘50: spite’ of the. fact: that many. of: them are the sole bread winners for the According ‘to: the ‘statistics of the Trade Unions, 22 %o of their women membi to: provide, ‘for their family, ‘The ‘situation of the Arabian working wom receive only: half of, the wages of. the: Jewish women, is worse still) . +The nurses; have had important strikes demanding higher ‘wages,’ restri nightwork to 6 hours, and various social amenities, 'The* teachers are also for higher wages.. Arabian women workers in‘the olive vil industry have beén. for higher wages ‘and. shorter working hours.» ::-in parliament,” a new ‘law: will be debated. within: the ‘next few day dangerous law’ which can. provide heavy punishment’ for anyone: who ‘figh the policy of the. government; for ‘national independence and Peace. “A protes ment. against. this draft bill’ was organised and y women took an ‘active it, realising that the fight against anti-democratic laws and the fight-for consol dernocracy is protecting the tights of women and children;: We are on the eve: of founding a> broader organisation. which. will women. of different: political opinions. We. resolved ‘to do this affer’a joint acti International Women's Day. to save Ethel and: Julius’ Rosenberg, and “after the ) up, ofa joint committee to-prepare for the World Women’sCongress, ‘The vo: appealed -{o ‘all ‘women’s organisations to participate unitedly at the’ Congress 130 === [PDF page 132] === ni these institution: under be care.:¢: sf aimosphi === [PDF page 133] === began to work on yd. bring up my: ‘ tthe s 3 of ny own children and I lived only for them. Whee, B co-op) L bh the. others, Idid not want to. listen to: him. Later tand that I should: not work only for: my own children, who were he sot and eae to school and: given felp Put that I === [PDF page 134] === cubes of the ‘co-operative. £ fereive: apy letters in whidi ‘pconie ee me them advice. I go to meetings: and help our women ‘in ther work. ever stop lemming and I teach others. Our ow: learted men ard Sovi eCOTNE | a. corresponding member?: of: the: Academy ot. Asricul ural:: === [PDF page 135] === SoAt cone if 117 -colones, which are: ees by “malnuirl ORE === [PDF page 136] === Have isa raicho™ Bl Bin thoge where nnd: OF peasants allies ALC UViN: a doffec: plantations Orme whe: work -in agriculture: is: even worse. In the ‘stigar: and -¢ Bare eye women, Who. earn only 27 cents a day for: six hours of work, The Govern: nl cmiploveds, nurses, | telegraphers; school teachers dind professars,: who constitule Tabotin Code. but: their freedom of thought is. very vestricted: ‘The only way: of epi. A job. is ‘to: he almost campictely ‘silent: on: all the national and international Hanis “Eeonomic reprisals brings hunger and death. to. thase: who atlempt fo: exerme thetecright of freetiomy of expression. The heusing problem js very serious, The. cost nt living is almost. out-of reach of tae opie Phioy ccannat ‘éal medi: eggs, bruit nor butler. According to offielal: statieiies the MosAl orice Inde hag riaen between 1916 and 1953 by O7 pottts: Taxes! have risel BO URBMons in 19a tu 95 millions in 1952. eke Party of ‘the people: is, cullawed. Women ot: this party: have: nd: right: 16 be Ndled "as deputies. ox aS municipal councillors: Under: these: condilions, the: Alliances aa Rican women has ditiwn! up a programme, and. -by: -meutis of tis “paper is Reine tosthe women olw éfeaggid: in ‘defence: -of the rights: of: the: womert, “and in Hence: of “Peace end: democracy. tome heart and in my thotghis I Jeol: the -prosence. of the hundreds of childven at <eudtyy. Shoe shine boys, street-vendors, the women who ‘wes thembelves: out:at WOK the “hundreds. of beggars Who! tramp: ‘through ‘the - streets of ‘the: eapital,: ihe rdsle Hovele where thousands of Costa Rican familice live, the shacks in whidy are Used: the Working pedple of the banana: zones: éling “the Vigorous power. of all thé wwamoncof the sworld,} shall return filled wilh seth and shepe in the future of a. humanity free from, war, from misery, from the Atlan of Women ‘and’ children: Lam -sure: that all-our united: efforts will. bring Re Tig Putin, He Gould majority of the women who work (outside the home, enjoy alk the rights of: === [PDF page 137] === BELGIUM — Mrs. Sudule BERGHMANS — Municipal Councillor O: 2,970,000: women aged from 15 to 65 years, 567,000 are wage-earners. We also count the women of the 320,000 peasant families who have not. only their ho work to do but who work in the fields as well, and the tens of thousands of keepers and business women who often help their husbands in their work. In spit this, women are considered as a working force which. may be employed or cismissed at the whim of the employer. In our country, the great principle equal pay for equa work is not applied. Yet Belgium voted at the.Geneva Convention on this. questio; There area large number of women in Textiles where they constitute 49.5 %o of labour force;, in ‘clothing 80.9%o, catering 50.4°/o, Tobacco 67.8%. Wages ‘are fixed according to’ value of work but ‘according to the workers’ sex and age, Dé cularly women and juveniles are regarded as a source of cheap. labour pressure on the workers in general. Thus, in large shops where women. do ide: work, the saleswomen earn salaries only 85 °/o of the. men’s, In general one could that women’s wages vary between 55 and 68 %0,of the men’s. In fact, the diffe: by men*owing to opposition to the admission of women into all grades of In addition women work in production without having passed through. tech) colleges, except in the essentially “women’s” section. tuates even further the difference between men and women’s wages. It is notic in Belgium. that men’s wages are lower in. those industries employing large num of women such as textiles, clothing, shoe making, food and tobacco, There is in Belgium a supplementary personal tax based on the joint incom husband ‘and. wife. This. tax is normally paid at the end of the financial year, government therefore decided to hold back 10% of the wages of married w with. this tax in view. Thus the government makes you pay in advance for which may not even be due, as the joint income at the end of the year may sufficient. to warrant payment, as a result of sickness or unemployment for exam But the government needs money for its war -policy. The inequality of wages results in the inequality of unemployment benefits. fits are in. proportion to the salaries of unskilled workers, and for women it in which the woman, housewife or. skilled worker, receives 18.59 frances less than single unskilled male worker. Unemployment which has spread in Belgium since 1946 has become peri and particularly affects the women, Today the unemployed ‘have ‘to accept work offered, no.matter what. the salary may be or. the distance from. their ho: The inequality of salaries also has its repercussions on sickness benefits, invali other pensions. In view of the fact that there are so few nurseries.and creches—7. the. whole country, which can only care for 6,901 children, the women are often ob. to pay up to 1,000 frances to a neighbour or relative for looking after the child. The government has been’ able, at the expense of the families, to effect econo) in. order to find. the funds necessary for its war expenditure. We have had a increase in bréad and dairy products; reduction in the premium for. nursing moth curtailment of subsidies for public buildings, homes, schools, play-grounds, hos and_sanatoriums, reduction in subsidies for holiday camps, and. repeated att on ‘social services which the workers won in 1945 after years of struggle. We no room in. our sanatoriums. In a town of 64,000 inhabitants, 85 ne primary tubercular lesions are. waiting for admission. 136 === [PDF page 138] === Paternal authority alone may decide on questions regarding the children. In case divorce, the law pushes this to the extreme of allowing the husband to keep =the children even when the divorce suit is brought against him. A court order is required before a child may be handed to its mother. There are a whole series of problems’ raised regarding the children when the husband and wife are separated. BELGIUM — Mrs. Marie GUISSE — Secretary of the Women’s Assembly for Peace and Welfare In the spring of 1949, the Belgian Parliament ratified the Atlantic Pact, and since then we have seen an acceleration of war preparations, the creation of a great ‘many air bases, barracks, a network of strategic highways, and extension of. the ‘term of military service, ‘This policy, and then the participation of the Belgian Government in the aggression ‘in Korea, resulted in‘ an enormous increase in the War Budget on the one hand, and on the other a continual reduction in the budget for social services. On the initiative of the Women’s Assembly for Peace a national petition demanding equality. of unemployment benefits for heads of families met with great success, ‘as did also a second petition against the measures of suppression, There were “numerous meetings of unemployed, and councils were organised to advise them on their rights. Delegations were sent to trade unions, Members of Parliament and the Ministry of Labour. Thanks to our efforts there was some betterment in several aSes, In 1951 the benefit for nursing mothers was abolished. Further delegations called m° members of Parliament and on the National Child Care Organisations. On the lemonstration of unemployed women in Brussels. “Since 1949, the government took the cision of excluding from the right to benefits, married women who had not worked 75 days uring the last 18 months. In many branches, unemployment having become permanent women “Were unable to obtain this much work. The energetic action of the women obliged the labour €Xchanges to become more flexible. Following this, the government confirmed its decision by faking a series of new rules making the conditions under which unemployment benefit could be paid even more difficult, Once more the women were the first to be affected. fom June 1950 to December 1952, 55,801 women lost their right to benefit.” (Sudule Berghmans) 137 === [PDF page 139] === initiative of the Women’s Assembly, a’ National Sponsoring Committee was set up International. Children’s Day and for the International Conference on Childr June 1951 where a Children’s Charter was adopted. ‘ Inquiries show. clearly how great the need is for healthy living accommodation Jow rents; 100,000. families are living in slums, and the incidence of disease is direc’ connected with housing conditions; 150,000 communities are still waiting for: drj king ‘water supply. Cinema clubs under the patronage of qualified teachers taken up the task of watching over the moral health of children and. adolescents. At each price increase the women’s organisation calls on women to protest ag; these measures... They organise meetings in market places and in the industrial ci in labour exchanges and in the poorer quarters of the towns... Thousands of s' tures have been gathered on various petitions, Delegations. have «been org: to interview members of local administrations, district officers and Ministers; Mi rous telegrams: of protest have been sent to the government. The rents were’ raised’ in 1952 and again in 1953, Many conferences among te! have been held for pooling information, as wellas permanent information «1 to give tenants full details of their rights, The Women’s Assembly has helped a number. of. families and has provided assistance for old people before: trib Committees have been set up to combat every new threatened rise in rent, Speed-up in production léads to innumerable accidenis at work especially in mines, and not a \day passes. without’ a miner being killed; After disasters wi plunged dozens of families into mourning, we circulated among’ the miners’ petitions. which expressed their - indignation. and their determination to see their ‘husbands’ right to life was respected, Miners’ wives and miners’. widow: gether went as a deputation to see the Minister of Economic Affairs. Some months ago, the terrible floods which ravaged. the coasts of Holland Great Britain claimed thousands of victims in. our country also. We immedia te organised ‘assistance forthe sufferers, Collections of money, ‘food, clothes and to; were, made all over. the country, Food and clothes were immediately distribut the: flood » victims in‘ the localities “most affected who were left without hel the official services, In the course of our ‘activities we have denounced the ‘and persons responsible for the hopeless. plight in which Belgian families find { selves, We. have pointed out that if we want to reach a better situation. we get rid of the existing government, which is nothing but an instrument of Ame policy, We have made our contribution to all the campaigns carried. on by | Partisans of Peace. At the end of last July; we had the inspiring experience of weeks of. str against the. extension ofthe period of military -sérvice, Along ‘with. soldiers workers, our women and mothers demanded the return of their husbands and; to their homes. At the beginning of August, the discontent reached ‘its highest poi the soldiers mutinied, jeaving their barracks and demonstrating in the Streets, w shouts of “Away with the 24 months” while the strike movement reached heights in different regions, After several days of struggle, the government ha revoke its decision to bring ina 24 months period of service, and it was reduce: 21 months. Post cards stating the same demands had been. sent in hundreds to Prime Minister. The government having had to give way to. popular feeling, took its reveng imprisoning soldiers who had been at the forefront of this magnificent movement of resistance; Thanks. to our petitions, and deputations they were’ freed, we succe in achieving this,: length as the time they spent in prison. The government stopped the payment army allowances and family allowances’ to their wives, who thus found themsely completely without resources. We are continuing to give them all our support, are continuing our activity aimed towards obtaining the reunion of these fathe with their wives and children as soon as possible. 138 === [PDF page 140] === [Photograph: close-up of a young child's face beside an adult's head] 139 === [PDF page 141] === ‘people, see === [PDF page 142] === Fareiveeléctied 6 posts af. icadi'shio; a “handful “are ‘on the ‘executive: boards: of nel WUGhs and not one wwaener is a national officer. the yeans-a' number. of. social / services: have: been: won. which helped the: an molber- and--home-meker: -However. these: services did: ol-exist in - all “OF ANG 'Coluntiy and where they did exist, they ‘have ‘hoon ‘curtailed “in the war iny dive. Por example, the Federal Chitd Care programme: to ‘provide: facilities ‘tarthe care of children of warking mothers, which: was: won. during Ware: War 2. is heen abatidoned,. Almost all.comiviunities: have dropped © or greatly. curtailed: ig child-care programmes..in spite af the inereasing. numbers. of ow orking: mothers: the result issthat many: working mothers: ave, obliged. to pay cisproportionate: sums f {hele meagre earnings for private care for their childres, Tod few women in. ihc United States realise: tha, our country, one. ah the: the most highly industrialized countries in: the world, makes no provision. for, malerniy. csurence benefits for mothers. ev, in popular: hitetature. and. the drama, and the WaLopal ‘afivertising, which affects ‘the thinkJog and shapes the -attitude of mithans of Americans, woman is relegened oxctusive te the role of horac-maker, ged Wey value Is ‘gauged by ker appeal to men. An ever more glaring coniradiction te between this myth and. the position of Negro. women, who are heid to «po rights which # white man must respect. Mrs. Rosa Incram is still Janguie ih jail, together with her two sons,. for having defended herseit against. an kby-a- White man. Athelr nelyhbourhoods women Are increasingly active in defence of their families abd Anbin.Gwh rights.. Women. in Parent-Teacher Assvcistions and community clubs areenaved: in manifald ‘activities to ‘promote -the health and: wellare. of: their codildven cc dthey card. working for more and. heiter sehcols.: Hospitals, tor health SeNaMHatiots of school children, and against the harmful effects: of:comic. books; On the radio, cihernia and. televis Wotten are’ busy on hundreds of iove) issucs--- such as. the splendid Gzht.to, keep. te tive milk programe ii ‘Philadelphia, to maintain the day eare pregramme in. New “AGS BGBinst putting dog. tads.on school children, and agains ne echools: AEs lakodr ‘struggles: of reconl years, women workers: have. shown:an unconguorable mmness' in the face: of rests and. violence. In: the historic: strike of: ‘miners: at {he Eompite: Zine: Cormpahy' in Bayaril, Néw Mexico, which fasted ‘alinast 2. ‘yeidre; WOeRors Win! a! Victory: largely: because their. wives; daughters: and sisters: tool eer he picketing: and: other strike aclivilics, when “the -men: were restrained: by Runttons: and -arr The formation o6f-the Nalicnal Cominittes ‘for “Kqial Peay MeNeadyiiartere cin Washing{on, including. mere than’ 16 ef the big. national ae anisations, if an out-growth of the pressure. of working: women. ant. the increasing Awareness of their special: prohiems. Re “of the most significunt resull(s of the: keen codcem of working: women: were The Na Hieahl--Trade Uriion ‘conferances an’ the: probleme’ ‘ot! workiirg womiert ‘culled By Uho United Bledtyicul Workers andthe Unitert Packing House: Workers: Union: in Motch 1948. AY these Conferences the Unions urged a campaign for -Government+ ANE child ‘care: centres in every intlustrial community. —~ ‘close to the plants Shere wornon work, and: endorsed. a far-reaching pfidramime thal would Provide pppdrtimities for training, up-grading ond eroapluymest. in all categories: Eliminate wage differentials: for Negrtes ‘and for all svonisn. Sond coverage. of social welfare legislition té- industrios ond occupations now mcladed: Tomate the leadership of white ahd Negra women at all levels:in: Union and other Baniva tions. NORE. Labor: Council, after a conferendée! ni Log: “Angeles: held under. ‘the HEN GG a nation-wide drive for: 100,006 such new jjobs,: and:-succeeded: in opening eas Previously: barred to Negro. women: “Jobs far Neto wormen’ in industity’ -- not inthe kitcheris of: the wealthy’: === [PDF page 143] === UNITED STATES — Mis. Lillian LEVINE —. President of the Brooklyn ©: of American Women for Peace One of the. most important aspects of a conference like this'is that it brings t ) people from all parts of the world so they can understand each other, The women of the U.S.A, love their children, their. homes, and peace; they in: friendship between peoples, and the right of-all countries to- govern then ‘i and to. control their own resources. We are told we must defend our homes against foreign invasion and bombs the action in Korea is a police action. against Soviet aggression. Every com: who could have told the true facts has been taken’ off the radio, and almo: newspaper is daily pouring out this Big Lie, in order to keep the American peo a state of.tension just this side of hysteria. This makes it possible to understai the peace movement has Ferat so slow in reaching and moving large groups o into’ action, Many of those who have seen through the Big Lie and warned the American against it, are in jail. As soon as an organisation begins to mobilise people in’ for. peace, it is put on the Attorney General’s or the McCarran Committee’: versive list. 152 organisations, among them the American Women for. Peaci been so listed by the Attorney General... and many millions of foreign-born face the loss of their citizenship, their jobs and deportation, if they speak out o action.. This has made it’ possible ‘to obscure all issues: And behind ‘the paper ¢i which cuts off any understanding and knowledge of the Soviet people, many people have been influenced to believe that co-existence is not possible, and tha is inevitable, It has also made it possible for many to believe that peace ‘is obtainable through armaments and force. While we have been spared the angui witnessing homes, factories, and institutions of learning destroyed on our sho: feel increasingly each day the consequences of war and war preparations. Whil ’ remain frozen, prices, rents and taxes are the highest in the history ‘of our cor Wherever she turns, the American mother finds it increasingly. difficult to p: her family with the necessities of life. Inevitably, ina war directed against colored. peoples, the Negro people it country are’ suffering from increased discrimination and- greater violence. democracy “has made possible the acceptance on the part of U.S. men and women the. systematic and wholesale destruction. of colored peoples at Hiroshima, Nage and in Korea. It would not have been possible to condition U.S, soldiers to Opera’ Killer and ‘Operation Smack unless they were first convinced that the colored There is ‘a growing movement among intellectuals, trade unionists, and people views and political beliefs against Mc Carthyism and McCarranism. All polls 0’ opinion’ have shown the overwhelming sentiment of our people for an immé cease-fire in Korea and for negotiations among the major powers for. a permai peace. “Surely’. our people say, “no difference between. nations can be so. great mutual annihilation is the only answer”, and 30,000 letters a day have been r: President Eisenhower calling for the truce in Korea. In Addition there has been an outpouring of letters to the newspapers, or visits to Congressmen, pamphlets published (even by individuals) and mailed all 142 === [PDF page 144] === nation). The overwhelming: majority of the orgonised and un: fy meal ber of: “national attention ave: been favourably === [PDF page 145] === SPAIN. = Mis. “inits BIBAS Pe feel: strong: and proud! of being 4 Bowe: reprosant: Lhe riillions: (Gf: 4g of or al countries. whwo': fight (with indonatt courage Under hard: conditions of fascist tee ‘Phrough thousands. and. thousands “of: ep and ‘collective and individual signatures have: ‘shuwn ‘their desire. ‘to cstrengther: thiks: which: unite all:the women -of: the in: the: common ‘struggle: for heir: rights: the protection ‘of their children ‘and ‘homes; ‘and for 2 peaceful world: Tn ihe: Republic; the Spanish: women had:achieved the rights of. citizens: sight to ‘vote ‘and’ ta“ be elecied, had. improved -their: conditions, ‘amd. as workers cand as: mothers: had ‘enthusiastically taken: part in the stragg! social and cculturul fe of: our: country.: The Spanish Women under: the Becurned France: ve gime, inheritance ot hi absolutely: no: rights, only: c ‘ipphnation, exploitation and. misery, & ifs Of aunee ci. Women's ‘Wages ‘Are much ‘inferior ic even thé medgre: pittances which ‘the mney FEC: the! sane! works 2. Unemplovment which. affects may miiions ‘off wa dn county and: town isa permanent threat ta all, and e&speddially: io: the: womed:s ini‘ thede erie “eoriditions accept the hardest tasks, ever in: the minds where: the Werle Kh pid and shovel, and where accidents are numerous for: lads of safogua In (hese ‘difficult conditions, failuve fo reach. the exhausting acorn of: production: cus Q: legs in wages, The: women; ‘Wives of - workers, housewives, middle lass. weimen: ruined: bY: Franco vésime, ean nut provide the barcst necessities for. thei families, bécause wi the: cost of ving im: 800 per’ cent, ‘according to ‘official. figures, Wages have: freaei In: Spanish ‘hornes there is nd bread, there is: no: meat, Git, sugar drome: Clothes. are seared and: so is footwear, ed Waren ‘struggle to pat an end to this situation. :The women of Rareelona in the days of the glorious fight of 1951 demonstrHi inithe streels and in the market-places. They went inte the bakeries and gave- Ww bread te their chikiren,who had never tasted it before... The womer brought: them: their filitant enthusiasm, all their. longings for liberty, ta that greak istrik Which. shook. the regime. We. accuse the France regime of the fact fhaf. io the prisons mon, wore children have been wasting away, mony of. them for fourteen years. The: regime. has not. pardoried these thousands of women imprisoned Lor their: love! o Republic and the ‘indepensderice of Spain, their undying affectioh far the w oman: has taught: them: 1a -be. faithful to the homeland and the people, Phe: women of Spain: have’ not been silenced by 14. years of Francoism: folowing the guidance. of their beloved Jeader,. Dolores [bartuti, through. thet struggles und sacrifices, they.organise the unity of the patriotic women and:the D 6 in.a-powerlul Anti-Vruneo National Front, capable of ending Francoism and: creatunt ihe eanditions for‘ the people to set-up a, democratic arid: republican: regime: to eh the: great: majority of Spaniards aspire. === [PDF page 146] === ‘AIN — Mrs. Amelia MARTIN — Union of Spanish Women e Spanish women, who love peace and fraternity between all peoples, are directly reatened by the present tension in the world. The fear of a new war which would fave devastating effects for mankind and the daily provocations of the’ warmongers @ a major concern for. us. No one among you is ignorant of the tragedy of Spain. This terrible war, launched Jainst a legally constituted government, took the character of a war of national beration against foreign invasion forces. All this caused the death and assassination of 2 million Spanish people. The Franco regime means war. It is a regime of fascist terror and oppression which ame to power with the help of world fascism. It thrives on international tension, ‘ause it would be stifled in a world at peace. That is why our women and all the ‘Spanish people, who love life and passionately desire peace, are struggling against ‘Franco. We must unite our efforts to put an end to the war in Korea; we must make the eoples understand that to achieve this is a pressing necessity and of major importance. must expose here the manoeuvres of the aggressors who are trying to extend var to the peaceful Asian peoples. The people who listen to their conscience cannot ‘doubt the good intentions, the desire to ensure peace, which the leaders of the great untry of socialism show every day. We must expose here the intentions and anoeuvres of the aggressors in our respective countries, and basing ourselves upon @ great force which we represent, agree to force the aggressive governments to put mend to their war policy. “* Nobody to-day can believe that when the government of the United States interferes ithe internal affairs of our peoples it does so with protective intentions. The United tes has no right to bring ruin and destruction to the peoples of the world by unching a criminal war. The fields and cities of our country are being prepared for r. Its strategic situation, the resources of its soil, the natural harbours offered by © children are subed to intense fascist cation. Tens of iph receive military Astruction in the amps of the Falange. “20 145 === [PDF page 147] === its coasts, everything is put at the service of war. Through the treason of ‘its er: government, plans are being prepared to annihilate our cultural treasures accuta 1 by hunger and disease. Despite these conditions they remain steadfast and do n give up their spirit. of struggle. The results of our peace campaigns are a wo. example of their courage. Constantly facing death from, Franco’s cruel repression, our women go. from to town, from village to village, down to where our courageous peasants live, one signature, one conscience to the protest against war. They. write us letters writ in ‘a very simple language in which they eagerly defend peace, condemn war, aj protest against the enslaving of Spain. One of these letters reads: “I'am a mother; Iam 76 years old; I have suffered and am still suffering fro effects of a terrible: war and enthusiastically join. the World Congress of Womel order ‘to obtain peace for Spain and the whole world... Fascism has forced live in a cave, I have suffered in Franco’s jails because one of my’ sons is liv: exile, I have had the deep sorrow of seeing my daughter become an invalid result of the criminal methods of the Phalange people. I shall struggle forever aga this cursed regime! I shall struggle for. peace, and for the independence and we of Spain.” Sorrow still heightens the spiritual riches and nobleness of heart of the §S; women who find new impetus and courage to carry on their struggle. The pov which prevails among our peoplé particularly affects the constitutions of our chil Without food, in rags, they contract serious diseases which will. make them i the rest of their lives, because of lack of medical care, Those who remain living condemned to suffer from the social injustice of Franco’s regime which deprives of material. and moral help and forces many of them onto the path of juv delinquency, Without food and clothes, they live in abandoned graveyards. Such is the sad picture which the Spanish delegation presents you:. the SOrrOW. a-people who are struggling to break the fettets which keep them in slavery. are fighting for their sovereignty and for a democratic regime which will open an of welfare and progress. We have received from women of different. races and nationalities many pr tokens of solidarity. We ask you to carry on’ this. solidarity action. And we p: you that we Spanish women. will not spare our efforts to reach the common objec! of the promen, of the world. === [PDF page 148] === INGOLIA — Mrs. Lemach NORCINE — Central Council of Mongelian Women AP he reply. of our government to the letter from the World Council’of Peace says, he government of the People’s Republic of Mongolia, faithful to the cause of peace ‘and co-operation between the peoples, and expressing its people’s will to peace, watmly greets and firmly supports the noble initiative of the Congress of the Recples x Peace for conclusion of a Peace Pact between the Five Great Powers.” “We want peace’, say the Mongolians. The women of Mongolia know that - voting all their energies and capacities to working for peace and by strengthening {heir democratic people’s state, they are serving the great cause of peace, Our people’s democracy provides women with every possibility for taking an increasingly active part in managing the state, 22°%/) of the deputies of the great People’s Assembly are women. A vast activity among Mongolian women is appearing »all spheres of life and work. 40,6/s of all industrial workers in our country are omen, Fresh shock workers and innovators in production are constantly swelling the ranks of high quality workers. 22,6 /o of the teachers and 71 °%o of the workers in public health are women. Our ‘ople’s government values very highly the successes of women in the field of labour. The title of “Shock worker of the Republic” has been conferred upon thousands of omen, hundreds of them have been decorated with orders and medals. Great thought is given to the’care of mothers and children. Their interests are a major concern of Our government. In our country children are given every care, even before birth. fomen medicine students in Mongolia. More than one third of the students in the University are women. Ulan Bator 147 === [PDF page 149] === CUBA _ Mrs, Candelaria RODRIGUEZ — Doctor. of. Law, Vice-Presid Eke Democratic Federation of Cuban Women Dis population census which took place this year informs us that 6,870,000 inhabitants. It also tells us that 77 °%/e of the population over 14 yea: is unemployed, and this right in the height of the season. The slack. peri 500,000 workers out of work. ' ., Cuban, families have to pay more than 25 °/s of the family income in’ this, for small rooms which in many cases do not take in families with children. in the middle of the capital there are districts. inhabited. by vagrants, wretches who. put a few rags on the ground and cover themselves with them. of these districts, a mother, on waking found the horrible sight of her: few old baby eaten up by rats. No creches, kindergartens or nurseries are available to. the Cuban moth organisation constantly fights for their establishment and is at present prepari a great Congress which will take place this year, against, hunger and want;:a democracy and. peace. It also plays: an active part in all: popular movements - betterment of family life: such as the campaign for the reduction ‘of ‘the Prices medicine, side by side with organisations such as ‘the National. College of Doctors which our organisation plays a decisive role. ...The new victories gained by the popular movement: which culminated. Constitution of 1940, abrogated now by the present Government, are in ‘practi and void. The principle of equal pay for equal work does not apply in conir work, The grading of work is manipulated in order to pay less wages to wom prevent them from gaining higher positions, In shops and private offices the: never employ Negro women who, in Cuba, suffer the double yoke of wom Negroes, mods maternity-benefit law exists in Cuba for working women who can of benefit by it, becayse the social services are inadequate. But women are awakening and for instance, the strike of the aloe fibre-woi who refused to’accept a 50 °/o reduction in’their. wages, was supported by the: who came out.into the streets’and held protest meetings; organised help: families, of the workers, and formed associations of families of fibre workers. Cuba,, a Republic which has existed for 51 years, is nevertheless: a + dependent upon the United States of America, which: has been taking over economy, keeping us in the position of a one-crop country. They prevent us. ir selling our principal products, sugar, aloe fibres, etc. to other countries who them, the sale of which would alleviete the economic crisis which has al commenced in our country. ‘More than 70 %o of our land is owned by the U.S., as also are the banks, ina companies, telephones, railways, electricity, gas, ete. Our own small industri. choked one after another by U.S: competition which dumps goods upon the Thus, a tanning factory which was the second largest in all America, has had t down, leaving hundreds of workers who were.employed there Prantically. on street. - The dictatorship has. created the consultative council where the reactionai classes of the country and the so-called labour leaders ‘are represented.... They | decreed a lowering of.wages in numerous. sectors, They are destroying wor' organisations and jailing leaders. They raided the headquarters of the Dem ‘Federation of Cuban Women, broke up the furniture, destroyed equipment, pi the piano, murals, and smashed up the bust of the hero of our revolution José Mar Women who fight for peace are being persecuted and jailed. 148 === [PDF page 150] === ee ce of the Catholic Women wr BT sending. of Cubans. ‘to th: t front, have ‘shown ‘the r alt thousands of women fron ‘all Tavels: Of: soviety. ‘have joined =: 7 Federation all over the country. More: than: 30; 000 Jetters;: telegrams, catrying: the signatures of 60,000 women’ of Various: poutical sligious: clits: and: occupations, were sent to the authorities. movement 334 commitices of mothers for ee were formed ins: up declatations signed by: all iheir members:and:invited: other:: “the strugple: for peace. We have also obtained: {he support of other organisations. such as. “Rosas Cruces’, SHijas dé: Acacia”, “Hijas: ‘de and spiritualist centres ele. The “chain letters” organ sed by these bodies, prayers far: pe ered ih Numerous spiritualist ce Heibulion to the catise of peace. the: geleuation of Rod guez,. who. on subjected. ‘Speakic radio ~which were bution: of:15.000 === [PDF page 151] === | Teachers, protection: ference === [PDF page 152] === ployed in industry: are: women; Tb chemical andush jes where 3 * at: peaple: empl herto considered a: eld or men any omen’ 8: iwages. avernied AG Me: ‘of men's wages, today they: i working wamich are demanding with increasanh Sa Only::28:9:0/9: of all working women are able ‘On. Furthermore, avomne actually, ae 1g in === [PDF page 153] === There.is still no maternity leave for Finnish working women, The agreem the International Labour Bureau of 1919 on Paid Maternity Leave has not ye ratified. The fact should be stated that in many workshops the men ‘have subporte women in their demand for equal wages and social security. The solidarity of th was aptly shown at the celebrations in connection with International. Women’ and the preparations for our present congress, In the “Book for the Rights of We of Finland”, which we handed over to the Congress, there are many pages’ by, men. ‘Last March, after’ many local preparatory meetings, a conference concerned { the social security of working women was held in the industrial city of Tamper which members invited from the various places of work attended. This confi clearly showed the growing activity.of Finnish women. For its preparation, ‘stai on the working and living conditions of women were gathered in the various of work. i Housing conditions’ are very bad. It is not surprising then that, tubere) ' gaining’ ground, particularly in the’ northern and eastern’ parts of thé co D Rheumatism, a widespread disease: in our country, results from bad housin, working conditions and also from ‘the general poor state of health of our pop Twice ‘as many women as men suffer from rheumatism. Thanks-to the influence ‘of the progressive and democratic fortes. the positi. the Finnish woman and mother has improved in many ways since the ‘war. We have a very great shortage of hospital beds and maternity homes, and the demand good. women’s hospital has created..a. real women’s movement. in the second town, of our country. Indignation against the government was great as “for® of economy” it withheld the funds already granted for the building. of the ho: We must underline that owing to partial.or complete unemployment. in town the country, especially amongst small peasants and agricultural labourers, ‘th standard. is so low that state support comprises “the main income of these fa: Many families had. to give the shopkeepers full authority to. draw their allowance for months in advance in order to be able to buy food: In addition to this there is a ‘danger that the rights already granted for the . tion of mother and child and for many other social-amenities will be lost,, reactionary influence in the life of our state is continuously increasing. In. our country the demand for co-operation. of women on a broad basis’ to. peace and progress is rising. This could be clearly seen during the PFeDATR ES the Congress, FINLAND — Mrs. Sylvi KILLIKKI KILPI— Deputy and for their demands. It is our. first task to unite all women in. the strugg] peace; That is a’clear, but at-the same time it is a difficult task. The maj women—I should even dare to say all: women.in all countries—are afraid of sincerely wish for peace. But on the road to peace, there is hesitation and prej These can. be removed only if. we are working on the'same broad basis as was during the preparations for this congress. The women members of the internat humanitarian and economic organisations, the women of all the women’s’ org: tions, of the labour movement, of the trade. unions, of the co-operative movem ' women of all spheres of activity must be gathered in a strong united fonts Sig future of the world and for their own Mehta. 152 === [PDF page 154] === emplished, - life ‘demands mt WO S178 | GF wanisations Was: AN: obvious practical question: Th 8: tury the semend: ee universal suffrage was a burning question: elas: Again, Byatt from oles damape i ie ady wor,’ ‘and 10 jimi the::range ot eis of women to the ae cuidie und: Binder (church, kitchen, “and: children), F-remeniber: very ihe thirties, wher I was chairman’ of ‘the Social Denioeralic: Women's ° f Finland, alk: of us were enthusiastic about the news that so-many ani sations chad: joined in’ supporting’: What we then called “People's eticipations: in the activities which were: later led by the ‘Women’s Tntergave Us new § ength and new courage : s have been: 5 areatly converhed by. the: flood: of ganaster Almas. 2 it film-shows thal: “oftend mor meer: ihe inter:; 5. ave besa. rade o na means: oF piscueing films of @ bine: ened ong of youth, We deem it important to win mothers é fight against this threat to coir, and against sworetioworkers supported: 5, Phe 60k:of ihe of === [PDF page 155] === Algeria — Mrs. Abassia FODIL — Union of Algerian Women I bring greetings of the Algerian longshoremen’s wives who are fighting untirin: at the side of their husbands for an end to the wars in Korea and Viet-Nam.: The acceleration of war preparations, the installation of military bases, and +4 armaments race,:are lowering the standard of living in our country and bringing unemployment and misery. Because of the poverty which dominates every home women try to get warts order to contribute a little to the welfare of their families. They are even mor exploited than the men, whether as housemaids at 4,000 francs per month, or @ workers in cork factories working under terribly unsanitary conditions. In the ‘7 factories women work in cellars without windows; they have to strain themselves to the utmost in order to earn a very small wage. Little girls of 10 are also exploi and become tubercular by the time they are 20, The women working in export-imp for 12 hours a day, earn 250 francs. In the bakeries they are paid by the day, order to make it easier to fire them. Mohammedan women are too often barred from many occupations.: They are con pelled to be ragpickers, to pick olives, or to. work in the sardine canneries. whether Mohammedans or European they usually work under conditions of insecurit and bad hygiene, and their rights are abused. In our countryside, the situation women is still more painful. There is no social security, no family. allowances. “In all towns in Algeria, there are children who live on such. jobs as carrying parcels, cleanin; shoes etc... Hardly any of them can read; there are not enough schools and no profession: training centres. Colonisation will provide for them, at best, some exhausting unskilled worl 154 === [PDF page 156] === ew Galid. Kar chor child. the Algort Jpiiess ia! prosparius Indepuncent: cou “wovlog: sawing of mett yoadher, Gettrands: he righ. hedivle labouring population of Algeria ts crushed by the ebidiial policy. af. ed misery, and we: are: tighting for arse: in the Wabes (of working wornen: in ewig and in: the countryside, for: loans 6: Yeilahs": for: easing: the economic ys aferattsmen vad peasanté, und. for equal social security for all. ides’ 1,546 doctors; 97L ‘of whom: are: in iyo ithe jor ‘theve are 2d Phe ntember of -hospital 256: cradics: for all Algeria, of the ‘vapulation 1,554 beds ° chikivon, Por caniigion Gisenses there are: 708 beds: for ven, ‘There are: 1,400 beds ‘for: the 400,000 tubercular: cases, ee words: there: are 285: i people: for F bed, ave in 1953 the appropriations for Hb Were decreated -25-Ve; For Jack of 4 ick penple steep on: mattresses: on SOWAT: 10-1950, out ef 114,320 recorded feaihs, $4 were children under 4 years The Algevian svorncn are fighting to: iniprove: fheir ‘condifidas and: for, pational pendence and peace: Licspite thé: d'ikculties, despite ‘the repression, ‘the: ir tiotides. ghe palas-they are fighting. On: Jnicrnational Women's: Day: wonien. of al, Hons Togurilless of race, demnnstrated: in ithe. streets -and carried “resolutions: to Prefecture: despite: covdons: of police; “They ‘deriianded (Nat: the autharitics satisty: aie demundgs, ne a population of 9 million,: Algeria: pro thie main. cenires; Oran, Algiers and: Constaatine: petars fur B14,000 inhabitents.: Mothe: 5: a Wortien ‘ig negligible, Think af Yeas tA Algeria: a Mohammedan worm ‘Aicha: Dali. Bey, was" brought: before onal Woman's Day, March 8th, dewianding ihe: right to Jife, freedom: and: happines Ott and: sentenced: ta a beasy fine’ for: having: published: sn article: on Soterh === [PDF page 157] === URUGUAY — Mrs, Grecia CAMPISTROUS — President of the Wome Uruguay: ‘ AO: small country established in 1930 in its first Constitution, the rights between all the inhabitants..Our greatest hero, Jose Gervasio Artigal at one time for independence from all foreign domination, for the ‘cultura’ ment of every citizen, and established: the division of the land among. peasants, Negro and Coloured, thus expressing the aspiration of the, young that the most unfortunate should become the most privileged. -- Now, we shall sce what is’ the case, There is'no equality of rights, In fi cial regulations allow. the bosses the right to pay women 20 %s less than’ me: the same work, ‘In textile and the printing trades united struggle’ has.’ equal pay for'.equal work, Half of our Republic is in‘ the hands of 3,000. “lands and most of the workersare agricultural workers (peons). There is ‘great. un ment in the countryside. There are 120,000 peasants without. land, who. liv edges of the great estates in 600 settlements, without any source’ of regular ment, In one of those communities, in Artigas, children have died of starv: women work as washerwomen. from dawn to. dark for starvation wages. +». Because.of the war policy which closes markets to us, and because’ | States buys our products at throw-away prices, we had the greater part oft of sugarcane wasted and rotting in our warehouses. Through this’ we ‘suffered. economie distress—poverty, unemployment; high prices, There~was.an ‘atti permanently freeze wages’ and make the burden of:this grave situation. i workers, Already a third of our- budget provides for war and repression; that hundred and fifty million pesos out of a total of 500 million while two: milli provided, for the Children’s Council, If, the Treaty with the United States, now discussion, is ratified much more money will be used. What is worse, and. x people will not accept, is the handing over. of. our’ sovereignty, and of our ch’ dren" be, like those sent to Korea and: Viet-Nam; transformed into murdeners, of peoples, +; The people of Uruguay are through their great struggles impeding: re: of these objectives and among them the Uruguayan women have taken the because they want schools, creches, maternity and unemployment benefits. Th the land to belong to the peasants; they want progress; they want to exe! rights; and they will not give their children for war. “URUGUAY — Mrs. Celia MIERES — Secretary. of the Women’s Union of Ur T he motherswho come to our organisation contemptuously denounce. the ii which the American films, crime magazines, and comic strips have on the: the children. The'teachers in the rural ‘schools have said to us: “Tell the Cai that in our schools, with broken-down walls; we have to teach the childre by. writing.phrascs on the blackboard. because the government will not supply, with books.” - In, 1951, coinciding with the inauguration. ae our Conference, ‘the’ news cam the focmer Uruguayan chancellor had agreed in’ Washington to.the sending Uruguayans -to. Korea. The women came out into the main street at the busi with posters. Many people joined in. We published an open letter to the pres: the name of the Uruguayan, mothers; we collected thousands of signatures agi sending of youth to Korea; we published the report of the Taseeeqtianal. Com: 156, === [PDF page 158] === ‘¢ many others, this mother is taking ~ in the demonstra- 4ions of the whole Uru- Wayan people against ilitary treaty with the W.L.D.F. which testified to the Yankee crimes in Korea; we held short meetings Market-places and outside factory gates. The minister was not able to keep his ord. The Uruguayan women have taken their place in the struggle of the people. ‘They fight alongside the trade unions for wages and laws providing special protection women; for maternity benefits which at present only exist for women state iployees or in industries. like the tobacco industry. Now we are putting the weight our work into co-ordinating all the energies of various trade-unions and organisans in order to win a special pension for women after 25 years of work regardless of e, and 20 years in unhealthy occupations. struggle in the neighbourhoods for new schools, creches and day nurseries. lose we have are crumbling, because instead of repairs, the Government has invested ions in war preparations, st year when the teachers, bank workers, public health employees, and transport rkers were making just wage demands, the government resorted to force in order to the trade unions, intimidate the people, and impose a war policy. They arrested d jailed the workers’ leaders. Our organization rallied the wives and children of the risoned. We went to the leading newspapers and forced them to break their silence help rally public opinion for the release and reinstatement of the trade union’ ders. We are carrying out the same work with the relatives of a hundred packinge workers suspended through ‘similar forceful methods. The most important ts of these actions is that the women who did not know how to struggle have ed that their family life is threatened if they don’t defend their rights. 157 === [PDF page 159] === Balaton Lake is not only a dise for children; it is also m for adult people. While forme) yachting was a sport reserved: rich people, today the wo can enjoy it. Hungary — Mrs. Katalin ELOD — Housewife I have 9 sons and 3 daughters. The youngest is four months old and the olde: * 17 years. We received from our State a family house with all conveniences in 0} the nicest, most healthful, sections of our capital in Csillaghegy, quite near to Danube, There is a great deal of construction work going on in our country and most of newly built flats are assigned to large families and to young couples. A quarte! a million new flats will be built during the second five year plan. You may be interested in knowing how such a large family makes ends meet in: country. My husband works in the Ministry. His regular income is 1,350 forint month. The family allowance which we receive for our children is just a little Je than my husband’s pay. My eldest daughter is a stenographer at the Teachers Tr ing College. She brings home 750 forints each month. In 1951 when my son Béla was born I received 3,600 forints. The State has. n overlooked us. Four months ago, when our smallest child, Istvan, was born, received 900 forints from the City Council, and 450 forints from the State Insu: Fund. My husband was given a sum equal to one month’s pay by the trade un and we received 2,000 forints from the Presidential Council. This makes a total 4,700 forints. If my son had been born after March lst, I would have been gi a layette worth 400 forints as granted by the new law for each new born. child, In each school there is‘a child day-care centre. Our State. provides board for children in the nurseries. While before liberation there were hardly 15.000 plac the nurseries in the country, in 1953 their capacity increased to 119.000° places. of my children attend the nurseries, while those of school age go to the child da: centre. Our government also helps us by charging only one forint a day for board. _this, my children receive breakfast, a nourishing and appetizing lunch, and an aft noon snack. My husband and the oldest daughter eat lunch where they “work, very reasonable price. This is how our State has relieved me of the major pa my household cares.? If you could only see my children. They are all sturdy, healthy, and I can tha our State for all this. Last year, four of my children spent their summer holidays f: 158 === [PDF page 160] === charge in one of the nicest resorts of our country near Lake Balaton, while for two paid. only a very small amount. Our children are not faced with unemployment, insecurity, misery. With the ception of my four smallest children, the rest of them are all attending school. One older sons is attending the secondary school of engineering. He wants to become lot. One is studying to become a geologist. Another wants to become a dentist. tile the other wants to be a locomotive engineer. I think that one could hardly find family of 12 children in the Western countries in which every child is studying. n't think I am boasting, but I am very proud that all my children will graduate rom schools. n’ 1938, there were only 11,000 university students, while at present they number 000, and 58 per cent come from working class and peasant families. At night when I tuck my little ones in, I always think that my children can sleep | peace because there are in the world many hundreds of thousands of mothers who Il not permit those who bank on war to carry out their horrible plans. GARY — Mrs, Elizabeth VASS — General Secretary of the Democratic Union of Hungarian Women -he Hungarian women know what it means to have completely equal rights. The men in our country have opportunities for development to-day which never existed The Hungarian delegation to Copenhagen on their way to the open air meeting. 159 === [PDF page 161] === In our factories,where 30.5 percent of the employees are women, the numbe: skilled women workers is constantly rising. At present 34,000 women arc lear various trades in the factories. Every day there are new and wonderful examples 4 high labour productivity, and the number of women stackanovites has reached 10,2 Hundreds of women are in charge of factories as managers and foremen. In delegation we have, for instance, a construction engineer who finished her univer: studies in 1949. To-day she is engaged in the construction of our first socialist tow Stalinwarosch. In charge of. the construction work of this great town is anothi woman—chief engineer Johanna Wolf. The Hungarian women are making full use of their right to education. Of 50,000 students in our Universities, 25 %/s are women. Numerous measures for the protection of mothers and children have been intr duced. Our Government wants all working women in town and country to enjoy tq the maximum the fruits of freedom, and strives to enable them to use all their strength and experience for the benefit of society and themselves, to learn and’ widen their knowledge, to educate their children without worry, and to lead a hap family life. Up to now, we have in our country 35,000 mothers of large families who have been honoured, The increase in the population was 47% higher in 19) than in 1938. Infantile mortality in 1952 was nearly half that of 1938. The proporti of births is particularly high among the working class where it increased by 50 /o, Our women take an active part in the administrative services. Among the 220, members of local councils, there are 60,000 women. A few weeks ago we had electiot to the State Assembly. On the basis of the new electoral law women from the age” 18 years are entitled to vote. At the last elections 298 representatives were elect among them 52 women. In the Parliament of the old regime there were only thr women, The education of their children, the happiness of their family, and peaceful creativé work are particularly close to the hearts of the Hungarian women. They know that only our present social order can guarantee them further progress and a still better life,. We assure our friends that we shall fight together with them for progress, peace. and the achievement of equal rights for women. This woman ar. chitect has drawn. the plans and struction work several districts. the town of, St# linwarosch. 160 === [PDF page 162] === employment has reached a high level. In the textile industry only a 32. hour is being worked. In the.cold storage industry which employed 14,000 workers nnel has been veduced to 6,000. Wages and salaries are 50 °% ‘below the actual f living which has risen since 1943 to July 1952 by 519 °/o because of government s. In August of last year sugar went up 100 °/o, bread 40%/o, milk 30%. The rt of meat which is sold to Britain for 3.20 pesos a kilo, while in Argentina an erior quality is sold for 6 and 8 pesos a kilo, in practice means the rationing of @ consumption, and the inability to import machinery ‘or machine parts. Under ‘s government taxation is increasing, and war expenditure is growing, as well as snditure on the repressive and bureaucratic state apparatus which claims 64°/) of national budget. Only 10% is spent on education and 3% for public health. “The land, which should be “a source of well being and not of rent”, is in the hands land-owning monopoly. One family alone in one Argentine province owns. 000 hectares. of land. long with a corporate state, there has also been established the Peronist Women's ‘Party to divert women from the struggle for the realisation of their demands. The ite of Peron stated her programme in the following way: “the establishment’ of men’s movement—that is to say—movement of renunciation, of great discipline, 4o educate the women in the principles of fidelity to Peron, blind confidence in mn and obedience to Peron.” This party to which all women civil servants are com~- to belong, which tries to exercise great pressure on the working women in the § to join it, is an instrument of, repression. is obvious that, our organisation is persecuted because the Government does not ‘public demands to be voiced. Our magazine has to be published illegally and eds of honest. mothers, of families, workers, and. intellectuals, have’ been immed and suffered. moral. and physical agonies, including rape..The* number of se who have been ‘arrested for defending: our right to peace and» happiness is mn, Among: our delegation is an employee of the State Telephones who together 1a group of companions who. claimed better conditions for the union, was savagely ortured by the police,: > are just a few figurés to describe ‘to you the life of the Argentine woman. In y, more than 36° of the workers are women.. There are thousands of.agri- ‘al workers who have to put up. with conditions of. inequality of a feudal type. maize harvesters. are old at 30 years of age. Their work constitutes a veritable. tor- With bags attached to their belts they gather 60 and 70 kilos. of maize, their feet yped in rags to.cover them from the cold, while they leave the babies under a tree furrow. 96 °/o of the population live in “ranchos” made of straw and mud, and great urban centres more than ten: people, young and old, live in one room, nquiry among 67,000 families shows that 82°/o are living-in. one room. ie right to vote, granted in 1947, could. not be exercised in’ 1951 because the istration did not register the women on electoral lists. 1e Union of Women mobilised great deputations to Parliament in which working en took part, to demand the extension of the maternity benefit law, creches, and passing of a law to establish the principle of equal pay for equal work. It preted proposals for a Family Code anda Children’s Code supported by thousands of Signatures from women. We fight.continually against the high cost of living, for the ering of fares, and against evictions. In the campaign for the lowering of fares we with the unions and the shopstewards’ committees in the big factories, with lar groups, mothers’ committees ete..: so, thanks to the campaign of our organisation against evictions, a Jaw was ssed which stopped them. In the campaign against the high cost of living, the conlobbying of public authorities has resulted in partial victories. In the course of campaigns we managed to unite women of different opinions and have formed ittees of tenants. 161, === [PDF page 163] === One of the most moving aspects of our preparatory work for this Congress was. organisation of support for our heroic sisters in Korea. In the most humble hor they made gifts for the Korean children, putting into each one a profound sentims of love for peace. Preparation for the Congress also served to initiate organising wi in the countryside where groups of peasant women have been formed to raise. thej demands. 4 J n our vast Argentina there are many children who are sadly neglected. They to be found in the cities and in the villages of the interior. Many problems affé these children. Infant mortality is some 42 per thousand in Buenos Aires and 200 300 per thousand in the interior. We have children who do not eat more than o: a day and never have any of the basic foods. We have 100,000 industrial enterpris: in which hundreds of thousands of women work, but the law which provides fo ereches is complied with in very few cases and the same can be said about ‘th maternity benefit provisions. In some provinces the percentage of illiterates of school age is 40, 50 and 60% Many children leave school in order to help contribute to the wages of the family, All this and much more was the subject of an analysis by a Medical-Pedagogical Social Congress held in October, 1952; it was the first of its kind and brought togethe representatives of the Women’s Union of Argentina, the Centre of Child Study, an Mothers’ Committees, etc. The preparation of this Congress gave us the opportunity for an intensive study ¢ the living conditions of our children, their problems and needs, as well as the growt! of the various organisations which are fighting to solve them. The Argentine delegation at the Congress. 162 - === [PDF page 164] === ‘TINE—Mrs. Margarita. de PONCE—President of the Argentine Women’s p n the Parliament ratified the Bact of Rio de ‘Janeiro, ‘which tied our country an Hapetalien,; the Union of Argentine Women organiséd big demonstrawere irikee in’ the factories and the workers condemned the sending of to Korea. The Union of Argentine Women took part in the.great march of ople to the town of Rosario, organised under. the “leadership of railway with the slogan “Not one Argentine to Korea!” By the side of their husbands, id brothers, the women faced the attacks of the police, the water-hose nozzles, tear- Bas, and were imprisoned. mos Aires, women’s delegations went to Parliament to protest against the” of young mén to Korea..In spite of the large display of police forces, several emonstrated_ till they were taken by force into police cars and imprisoned iys in the San Miguel asylum, a prison for. prostitutes. erous letters and telegrams were sent to the President of the Republic, demandat’ our country should not take part in the Korean war. From Pehuajo, a town few thousand inhabitants, mothers sent in one day 600 telegrams stating that ‘ould not permit their sons to be sent to Korea. All women were mobilised, les were visited, thousands of leaflets were distributed. Several trade unions them, canvassed from door to door, and called on thousands of women. This Peron’s government to slow down its adherence to American policy and: to ld putting into effect its promise to send troops to Korea, saying that he lo all that the people wished”. utions are part of the United States demands concerning: the Latin American committed to their policy. Progressive organisations, peace movements, poliarties are prosecuted and the democratic press is banned. m the World Peace Council, at its Berlin-meeting launched a campaign for a Pact between the 5 Great -Powers, we devoted ourselves to the collection of ures for its conclusion. ila’ Elsa, in'the Buenos Aires province, the whole population of 30,000 inhabit- ‘the’ Appeal for a Peace-Pact: On the evening when the collection was put at the entrance of this town a poster saying: “Villa Elsa is for peace”. it to the Embassies of the Soviet Union, the United States, Great Britain and king them to convey to their respective governments the demands of the ‘women for the signing of a peace pact. “American “Mutual Assistance“ Pact signed. by our government means_ that unity is tied to all imperialist war adventures,.The imperialists are already ur meat and raw material, and. now they would like to.take our children us’ as well, At present, bilateral pacts between the United States, Chile, Brazil aré encircling our’ country, which means the total loss of our ° the ¢tsablishment of military bases and the handing over of our national warlike imperialism. Our country has not signed.any bilateral pact, but * of the Rio.de Janeiro and Bogota Treaties and the Washington Conference in ‘the war camp. ent Peron has declared: “In case of armed conflict, her position of ‘third force’ prevent Argentine from placing herself by the side of the United States, ms -of ‘civilisation and strategy.” Thus the mask of the ‘third: force’ is and ‘veveals a mere demagogic manoeuvre aiming at obtaining the support Masses of people of our country, who are anti-imperialist and love peace. Our and democratic -tradition, our national independénce are endangered by mperialism, We must break through this encirclement and retrieve our independence. === [PDF page 165] === Sdine af [ae WIDPFL and the eeitlusiastiv dal === [PDF page 166] === ‘Mrs. Berthe ADAM-—Secretary of the Textile Federation (General Confederation of Labour) hanks to the participation of women in the struggle of the people, we have won n number of\rights. Our Constitution of 1946 proclaimed “The law guarantees equal rights with men.in_all fields”. Social laws were then drafted by a ‘atic government such as the law on social security. 5 the people, and especially the working women, wom a great victory through ssing of the law which’ established equal pay between men and women. But law, violently attacked by the employers and the government, is not applied. The y of Labour;himself had to acknowledge this when he stated in August 1952 omen’s wages were about 8 °/o less ‘than men’s wages. In fact we know trades the difference reaches 30 °%/o. Je agricultural worker who treats land and crops with chemicals gets 95 francs ur. For the same work a woman worker. gets 20 francs less. In the metal Ty women workers, whatever their qualifications, cannot be paid above the for unskilled male workers. Wages in France are low for ‘all workers,.but ‘in tries like textile and clothing which employ mostly women they are particularly y athe Bqvernment aan te t gt the French big ata officially demand the men who work at tania toil as: long as 16 hours a iialy for wretched wages. A an worker who makes toys at home earns 35 francs an hour, that is 3 times han the minimum rate guaranteed by law, and it is not rare to see their children fo 10 years of. age helping them after school to finish the work in due time, No nmhuman’ is the life of peasant women, agricultural women workers, and small lords harnessed from dawn to sunset. to an exhausting work which gives them ly cnough to live ‘on. Jmen workers are prematurely exhausted by the speed of work which employers to accelerate more and more, as for example in the textile factory of Tourcoing, the speed has,been increaséd by 50 °/o, In developing the American type. of ity the employers try to increase their profits still. more, wearing out the nerves and lives of the women workers. If the employers exploit women’s Our when they need it to inerease their profits, they don’t hesitate a second to iss the women first in the period of economic crisis which our country is facing lundreds of thousands of women are victims of ‘unemployment and of the ion of working hours, and most of them don’t even get unemployment benefits: ide union liberties in our country are being severely attacked by the employers the government. Repression ranges from the dismissal of a clothing woman er because her employer found a’ trade union newspaper on her machine, to action against the leaders of the General. Confederation of Labour, whose two ‘al Secretaries. Benoit Frachon and Le Leap have been prosecuted. That is why, ‘Struggling for their Tights, the women are struggling to defend all democratic ial security, as well as the gains. hard won by the workers, are being attacked. is, professional ‘training centres, holiday resorts are very inadequate. Since our entered the Marshall Plan 6 years ago the allocations for children and families ‘been constantly decreasing, while the war ‘budget has gone up from 171 billion to 1,600 billion: That is why more and more of them demand the end of the in Viet Nam and of the armaments policy which is ruining our country and the 2rs’ families, and only enriches a handful of speculators. workers, mothers and: citizens, the French’ women have put their common nds into.the Charter ‘of French Women which has been ratified by women of all eal opinions and religions, and which we are handing today to the Bureau of the ld Congress, with suggéstions which the French women asked us to bring to the SS. In this Charter, French women are establishing their will to unite and work the application eg-the rights stated in our Constitution. 165. === [PDF page 167] === ] gelling equality ak tt “married | ee as. fee their ‘husbands, concerning children and bo sehold: reso ‘During the last few y and Telephone Services, of Social Security: workers, Bank and ‘Railway emp) hospital and shop workers, have been waging a strugsle along with thei workers against the decrease of wages, against speed up at work, 9 demands, Every day, all fields and under various forms, women’ wi to.defend their gains, and in spite of the manceuvers: of the empl ment; ' vay hs ihis Gongress, many women’s gatherings were held: ¥ ance, kaihenne of: Fee workers’, ‘dockers’ and miners’ === [PDF page 168] === one of those who takes avat. It: does: so in. Mist fe Tt: assists the war in Korea. For thermore, at bas joined in the: eonspitac ag snpossible all undertaking’ that would be useful tor life, f ith: its age-old culture, hols; Im the country. ‘ot Pasteur:and:. ; money. fer the Ldiouat of our: children’s: bo has recently: lost a Son noes in: cour try: nave een ardently never accepted. he war in: Viet Nam. Our‘ fight: = Raymon le Dien, who: Hirew Herself in AC meeting: between ssi: tie: German swonten!: ‘and:: Franch: worten Swhio had: come: ina So odélégation 2 i cta: 2 the ahens? their: ties: / of an ‘their: === [PDF page 169] === front of a munition transport wagon which was being driven to the ‘harbo: embarkation. The struggle also has its hero, Henri: Martin, who has been in j 3 years because he, a marine and: former partisan, expressed his decision not to part in the unjust war in Viet Nam. Many ardent fighters have appeared in this struggle. Jeanne Berge and many 0) know the repression of a government which tries to strike harder the more i itself threatened. Madame Cotton, who brings such honour to the W.I.D.F. also brings honour France by her high moral and intellectual standing and her ardent patriotism, was accused of an attackyon the security of the State and on the morale of the and the nation for having given her authority to the fight of the Union of F ‘Women against the war in Viet-Nam. The government had to withdraw in fa the protests. in the country and in the world.'We have in our delegation two wi who. are wives of dockers, who, despite the great difficulties in our. country anc Algeria, are continuing their action, We -have with. us mothers who demonstrat they recently did in Paris, so that'their twenty-year old sons will not be sent t in Viet-Nam. We will not.accept the Bonn and Paris agreements, which if they were passed the parliaments would permit the magnates of our heavy industry and their ag in the Adenauer Government to reconstitute an army, navy and air force which undoubtedly be used for revenge and aggression. ‘ We salute’ wholeheartedly the hard struggle of the women of Germany. We fight, as they are doing, and with them, against the pacts of Bonn-and Paris form part of the Atlantic strategy’ in preparation for a war which we do not ¥ The fight for the ending of the war in Viet-Nam ‘and against the Bonn Agr are our. immediate objectives. These objectives are part of the whole struggle of the women of our, country national independence and peace, for it is universal peace which is the desire of women, a desire so powerful that our government can no longer disregard it, Recei a political crisis, a sign ofa serious economic and financial crisis in our cow forced some people ‘who strongly support ‘the Atlantic policy to make ci admissions: We must finish with the war in Indo-China, we must get back path of national independence, we must agree to a conference of the Great Po French women have been asserting these truths for years and have largely contri to making them understood by wide sections of the population.; Similarly, in our country the true aspect of the Soviet Union is beginning known, Some of us have recently had. the. great privilege of ‘staying a short tim the Soviet Union. There we strengthened our conviction that the Soviet Union peace, and, as they wish for it, they are making every effort to bring it about. 2 we, noted the immense success: of peaceful construction. We have reported thi thousands and thousands of women. The facts about the Soviet Union are grad spreading, and today hundreds of thousands of. women in our country repeat in t! hearts the vow which Jeannette. Vermeersch, Vice-President of the Union of Frend Women, made in Budapest: “French mothers will never give their sons for a against the Soviet Union.” Nee Morocco, of the terrible living conditions ‘which our friends have described to us of the oppression which they are undergoing depends absolutely. on us: It is also responsibility to see that the Bonn and Paris agreements are not ratified. It dep upon the-French people andthe French women to see that the Atlantic policy s a»complete set back. ° 168 === [PDF page 170] === nee aE the: Rights 0 of abled us: to: wiobilisé: great: numbers of: young: girls: in? an Seas an for the defence of their rights: equality of all righis, economic, political and qual hits ‘in’ ihe choice ‘of profession and training; the: right to equal pay “Work? tHe protection’ of young ‘wornen: workers; the ‘protection of the rights: jorhers: and: the Huiiding ‘of creches: and: nurseries. ‘orid: Federation ‘of “Democratic “Youth, along “with the: World Union of. ‘haw - corivened > for: this: Summer the fourth World ‘Festival of Youth and:: for Peace ‘and Friendship. The Festival: will be: preeeded: by: an important. af the young people af the world—-the Third World: Youth: Congress. two imposing intern: tional gatherings: of: young: people “will manifestin: an” aid ihe irendshin and ‘the uy of youth ‘for peace: and for the delence this. yeur an even more. reflection of. the noblest: a: a a “powé: a factor in uelning: to ab 2 defence “ok: ie rights, and tor === [PDF page 171] === J am a worker in a metal factory and the mother of two small children. I do belong to any organisation. For women who are working, life is very difficult. Nearly 40°/e of all Austria women work, Nearly two thirds of them are married and have a household and ch dren to look after. This threefold burden is not eased by any means. For work: mothers the greatest worry is that we do not know where to leave our children whif we are at work, We do not get equal pay for equal work. In the confectionery industry the: justices in wages are especially apparent. Even highly qualified women, forewom and supervisors, in this industry receive less wages than unskilled male worke; under 18 years of age. On the average the wages of women in Austria are 20 %o lowe; than those of men. It is practically impossible to find women in high positions. Eve) in factories employing only women the boss and the foremen are men. The qualifications for women to receive old age pensions have been made m more difficult by a law issued a few months ago. Women lose their right to a pens if on reaching 60 years of age they have not paid one year’s full contributions withi the preceding 3 years, even though they may have been working and contributing fe the previous 20 or 30 years. Women are also at a great disadventage when the rate. the pension is worked out. While formerly the wages earned during the wome whole working life were taken as the basis, the new Dill states that only the lag 3 years wages should be taken as the basis for working out the rate of the pensi Statistics prove however, that it is particularly in the last three years (between the’ ages of 57—60) that women receive much lower wages than in the whole of thelr previous working period, In order to get unemployment allowances the women workers must have pai 52 weeks fees within the last 2 years. This regulation is very hard, especially “fo; seasonal workers, In Copenhagen the Austrian delegation grects the crowd who applauds them as they pass-b’ 170 === [PDF page 172] === ‘safter the end of the war, we are still. paying the wartime tax_on wages. 1936 the tax paid by employees amounted to $ % of their wages, the average ay is between 12 and 15 %e: ‘growing unemployment in Austria is a source of great anxiety. In the textile eonfectionery industries more and more women are being dismissed. This year’. ber of unemployed is 30,000 higher than last year. This is caused by the is foreign policy of our government. At the command of. America, we are ae our raw materials at low prices to the West, instead of selling our highly “industrial products and machinery to our natural trade partners, the a Democracies and the Soviet Union. ough Article 7 of the Austrian Constitution lays down the principle of equal s for all-citizens before the law, family legislation is still based on a Law from which grants the husband the position of sole ruler in the family. According to law the mother is not given the right to take any decision with regard to her ren’s choice of occupation. Before ‘dying the father can name a guardian for hildren without havirig to. notify the mother about is. Discrimination against ther becomes particularly obvious in the case of family allowances paid for n. ‘These are not given to the mother, -but exclusively: to the father. rr women’s conference which was held in. Vienna on May 31st, women from $s of occupations and holding the most varied opinions protested against the mation under which. women are suffering, and established their programme nds. TRIA—Dr. Maria SUBIK—Democratic Union of Austrian Women. deep war propaganda is being unleashed by the American. occupation What would happen in the case of war is only too often demonstrated to the im the western provinces of our country by the manoeuvres which lay waste ‘elds and meadows, damage our houses, and even injure people. ~ western zone of our country resembles a fortress. The construction of strategicportant roads is being carried out. Tanks and military training camps andion depots are being prepared. All this construction places on our country dous' financial burdens and greater taxes are levied on the people. standard of living is falling and our children are the first to feel the conseof this irresponsible policy of. our government. The provisions of the budget are Services and education are continuously being cut. Vienna, with over one half million inhabitants, has only five creches. In these circumstances it is therery difficult to make proper provision for babies. Of the 90,000 children who taken care of in Vienna, there. is room for only 13,000. ht years after the war we still have a system of shifts in the schools, that is to ie room is used by two classes, These rooms are overcrowded. There are even ‘which instruction takes place in cellars, Is it surprising. therefore that %q of the children do not. reach the normal standard of learning? the most, wearing and burdensome worries of our women is the shortage of, - facilities for our young people—the finding.of jobs for our youth leaving This year, 131,000 young. people leaving school are faced with the problem. of ‘laced in ‘apprenticeships or employment. But there are only’a few jobs avail- @ rest will go to swell our army of unemployed. iployment, together with the very great influence of trashy and pornographic an literature, which has literally flooded our country, is the cause of the steady h of juvenile delinquency. ‘tunately we must recognise that our Austrian government does not stand for dependence of our country and does not intend to keep Austria out of war wy the contrary, it subjects itself completely to the American war plans, The of our Foreign Minister, Dr. Gruber, to Bonn and his negotiations. with er, show that our. government, at the very moment of an easing in. world pla¢es itself unequivocally on tke’side of the war makers. veterans hold meetings in many towns of the country at which provocative are made directed against our Eastern neighbours; the People’s Democracies joviet Union: === [PDF page 173] === Vienna — one of the demonstrations through which the Austrian women show their oppositi 1o war and to the inclusion of their country into war plans. It is clear to us that our government is doing nothing for peace. Thus we women’; recognise more and more that we too must step in, for we understand that the happiness of our families can only be preserved if’ we enjoy friendly relationship wii all peoples. Our country, occupied as it is by four powers, is more than other countri¢s dependent on agreement between the Great Powers, because only that can bring us a state treaty and thereby independence. Our Federation of Democratic Women in Austria has set itself the task of unit’ all Austrian womien, to save our homeland, irrespective of their social cireumstane! and ideological loyalties, Our women and mothers who suffered so much in the 1a: war desire peace, In preparation for the People’s Congress, 100,000 copies of th Appeal of the W.L.D.F. were distributed among the women with the question: “What. in your opinion must be done to prevent war?” In thousands of answers simple women have expressed their wish for peace al have put forward the demand for peaceful understanding and friendship with all countries. In thousands of small meetings many women were brought into the peaes’ movement. In the preparations for this great World Congress of Women, women’s conferencé throughout the country have demonstrated to many women who hitherto stood apar' the power which lies in their unity. At a women’s conference in Carinthia, an elder! women gave expression to this feeling as she told us her life story. As an unmarr mother and an agricultural worker she brought up her child under the most difficul conditions. With great sacrifices she was able to apprentice him to a tailor. When wi came, this only support of her joyless life was taken from her. The son was kille Today she is 54 years old, alone, and can find no work, because in our country oft is not hired at this age. She has a right to a pension “at the age of 60. She told us ho desperate she often felt. At the end of the women’s conference, this woman, who ha borne so.much in her life, stood up and in touching words thanked the conferena “I am happy that you have invited me; now I feel that I am not alone.” This feelin; of standing together is what we want to give all our women and to make the courageous fighters for their rights and for the happiness of their children. 172 === [PDF page 174] === zuela is situated in the northern part of South America. It has a population of million and is very backward with regard to economic development. If has ly no industries and agricultural methods are semi-feudal, agricultural deveat having been held up in recent years by the policy of American imperialism the Latin American countries. Venezuela is a country with one chief industry. oil. Its oil production is increasing continually and has now reached the figure 0,000 barrels a day. It is third among the oil producing countries, and takes first among the countries of the world for the export of oil. Since 1949 Venezuela has nited States investments than any other South American country. Out of lion ‘dollars invested, its share is 245 millions. These immense investments the American and British oil investors fabulous profits — 290 million bolivars and 2,040 million in 1951. It goes without saying that these tremendous profits. le at the cost. of the hunger and. misery of the working people and the interests vhole country: jtuation hag a direct effect on. the lives of the women, at work, as well as at. and in the fields. They lead a life which is still subjected to a semi-feudal-system. enezuelan families live in huts and hovels which are both horrible and primiand it is poverty which forces them to live in this way. factory workers receive starvation wages, while at the same time the labour oclaims “Equal pay for equal. work”. This is disregarded with impunity in all The cost of living is ridiculously high and is increasing daily without any steps ‘taken to bring it down. To this we must add the entire lack of constitutional lees, the banning of strikes, multiple difficulties and obstacles put in the way reedom to organise. > |: int women suffer from inhuman exploitation, not only because of the poverty ‘ir husbands, but because they aré obliged,’ in: the majority of cases, to leave r homes and children, sometimes even their babies, in, order to undertake agrival work on the lands of the large landlords, The work is exhausting, labour laws net respected; and no sort of control exists to enforce the laws. Wages ate ificant, the average wage for the Venezuelan peasant being 1.20 bolivars a day. reckon how much this represents when-one litre of milk costs a bolivar, a kilo trots, which is the regular food of the population, costs a bolivar, a kilo of rice © bolivars 50 centimes and in Venezuela, a coffee-producing country, a kilo of: costs 7, bolivars. not only ‘the men and women who are exploited in the fields — the children iso exploited. Once they have reached the age of five or six years they are ed in’ very hard labour, They look after: draught. animals, they look. after and the irrigation canals, they transport sugar cane, and that for a few centimes. leans that thousands of children do. not go: to school because, due to the poverty prevails in their homes, they must work to help support their families. Medical ince is almost. non-existent. The percentage of illnésses of all sorts, malnutrition, tary living conditions, and all sorts of calamities make the few governmental Measures inadequate. mg the. years 1945 to 1948 there were a great. many Venezuelan women in the ent political parties, trade unions, in social demonstrations. Some of them were as deputies, members. of municipal councils ete. Others made a name for Ives in journalism, in the world of art and letters, also in the scientific world. an women éntered the universities and many other fields, free of the chains used to bind.them. ; 173 === [PDF page 175] === COTY: ship,: thu: elections : Venezuela, === [PDF page 176] === The -Burintoet deiesation. BUBB ADirs. Daw AMM AL—Sourna iit omen in Burmnalare employed, as workers in the fi¢lds,: labourers. in light: moauaities, ag coolies: jn transport, as labourers in home: and ‘cottage industries, and MG Dagar sellere! and ipeddlers.. There. are no wamen engineers: or: fudges, ‘nor any wane, in. government Service. | Wothen ‘receive very: low wages. According to 37 Hes: compiled: by: ihe Department of Labatir, (21 5: of svomen: workers ‘in: 800: indusirial estabtishments «receive: Wages andar Rs. 30 a Tmonth, Sf Ve between Re. 86 and Rs, 90, Dy a. rubber works jn Rangoon WORKGH! receive. @uily wages of only. Rs. i to:Rs. 12: per day. ‘This is only ‘half: of ‘the’ was ‘workers’ average vroge. Jtis worse with the: peasanthy. ‘The averdge: pexsant fail Avith one: yoke ‘of cattle, ie. on an avetagé Of aboui. 10 acres, does net produce: BROUAN LO Uve on. ‘omen’ inthe ‘upper classes have: no: life- of ‘their. own, and wives: of government MiNie are not allowed to take part in the political or public: Tite of Lhe: country. Sag of KOung girls ‘being sold into: slavery vate. lil not unknown: Though enjoying ight to divorce, women can seldom exercise ‘thig right. Husbands: can. keep more One “Wife: and Inany wives: have: to ‘endure ititreatment and: desertion: before Poca become free. Ethe ond. of 1952; there Were! only: 108 ‘governynunt: sponsored miaternily and child lire érites, une ‘government: maicrnity ‘hospital, twa maadel: maternity. and child fare hospitals, and one branch clinic for the whole of the country with a population Of 1 Sillion: people: the budget of 1952-53, Rs. 486.5 million: was-speal: on: armed ‘services, or: 76 %e e-total wealth of the: country: ‘The government -of Burma;- whilst setting -aside Auge sum-for: atnis and: the! assumed -defrence ‘of:our country,. has: not been able Hel the. Kuomintang: invaders. e-0.S--Governmeént ‘is not content: with having: 8U0- wad bases ds: Japan, wilt ig Taiwan as ani aircraft carrior, and now wishes: to transform) our: Burra into A lary: base “in order to further their objective of destroying New China. and turning vhole-continent! of Asia ‘into’ 2 -baflefield. sells ke Wobten: “of Burtna Aave: now.come to realise that; apart. from: the: generat ele: for national independence, they have ta- wage a situgeic for their own rights: Dey have also. core to réalive that there ‘ig an overtiding Sivupele- for werld: peace, MLS HOVE Stivinie for thet cunivyowhidd. will: help othem: to wage al wecceasful lagle for peace, independence, and women's. rights:: === [PDF page 177] === Copper, Anace materials a ing: of our: by the monopol: profits of more tha: half oi nationa ‘bi The constant rise an Alarming: sta in the last two: tuberculosis ven: Reminedd: Ewald: 2 vet eighth: i eduidation,: Hee nyOKe: SChIGIN:: iilnerates “900,000 are’ sro) po Siein: Of Ube === [PDF page 178] === ‘cana 5s worker’ id his family live hanes an average wage of 80 pesos a day, With that he can only: buy one kilo-of ‘bread, one kilo-of bones and a kilo’ of ‘How can he clothe himself if he must spend 18 days’ pay in order to acquire of shoes?’ And what ean the peasant do if his wages. fluctuate bylyeet 8 and OS with which all-he can buy is a kilo of bread? of the: population lack habitable hatislie:* The country is short of 522.000 s, 120.000 Chileans live in shanty towns, in waste land. Two million peasants huts, thrown together, without water supply, wihout sanitary amenities, tlight or sewerage. “result of the tenacious and persistent struggle of our people and their repretives, we have legislation which grants women the right to enter into work; provides maternity benefits, family allowances, and creches for the childien. ie scarcity of funds of the Social Insurance Institutions, and the way in. which bosses take no account of the legal provisions, makes them practically inoperative. esult of the economie situation. which affects the Chilean homes, the number smen who work has tripled in. the last ten years..In the whole country one m Women are working, of whom 880.000 are factory and peasant. workers and ) “are. office and other employees. dustry, the average wage is 80 pesos for a man and 50 pesos fof a woman. a factory dismisses workers the women. are among the first to go. There are commercial concerns which only employ single women. The necessity of having ‘ompulsory military service in order to reach high public and administrative events women from’ filling these positions, even when their capabilities and fications are identical. with those of the men. The peasant women’s working day mi dawn to dusk and generally they do not get any wages, because their work idered as part of their husband’s work. Chilean. women struggle side by side with the men at work, in the unions fessional ‘organisations: Women textile workers, leather workers, and. shoe haye won. better working conditions through knowing how to maintain nity and, through having understood that their strength lies in unity. In all movements: the women prepare meals and collect food for the striking workers. fence of the home, the women have organized the struggle against a rtising living and scarcity. Conscious of their responsibilities as mothers, and of tant economic. role’ in the country; they have fought since 1919 for the ment..of their political rights which they obtained in full in “1949, Never- 900,000 women are excluded from these rights because they are illiterate, he. Constitution. requires a knowlédge of reading and writing for. people to These repressive provisions deny the right to vote t6 thousands ‘of women ‘been taken off the electoral register on account of ideological discrimination. growing political awareness of the women was shown in the last elections bstention from voting was least’ commion among the women voters, which ir decision to obtain better conditions. of life for Chile’ through land the nationalization of our raw materials; the abrogation of the repressive lich: goes under the name of the “Law in Defence of Democracy”, for denunof the Military Pact with the United States, and for free foreign trade. Ps. struggles. have developed in recent years, under the leadership of small of women, because the unity which was. achieved so well through the f Women’s Institutions up to 1946, was destroyed by the recent regime: a general desire among the women of our country to overcome this stage "are all subjected. to the same economic and social conditions. 117 === [PDF page 179] === In the preparatory committee for this great World-Congress there are represent= atives of more than 15 trade union organisations including one from the Central Union of Workers of Chile; the two biggest organisations of intellectuals; five women’ organisations, members of five political parties including the present government party; seven professional organisations of university women; women’s committee: from the villages and distinguished personalities. The breadth and consciousness of common responsibility which has characterise the life and work of this committee, is a strong reflection of the will for unity which’ at this moment the women and the people of Chile feel in their efforts to defend. their rights, to protect their children and their homes, and contribute to the consoli=. dation of peace throughout the world,. whose _ unity: achieved victory. 178 === [PDF page 180] === ORDAN— | ~ ie CaS before you with great bitterness in my heart + bitterness against an ism which has -ttied ‘to. stop in every way the transmission. of news about ‘ress. to, thousands of Jordanian: women, Letters. were opened, post. boxes into, and all mail censored illegally. Every paper, pamphlet or letter having rd peace or the emblem. of peace in it was confiscated but. in spite of all that + of women know about it and we are able to attend. This is excellent f that, no matter what methods of suppression: and cruelty might be used, by perialists they can never overcome and defeat the people struggling for ition to the terrible state of poverty, destitution and unemployment under e people live, the Jordanian woman is especially handicapped by social customs aditions preventing her from appearing in public places, joining women’s groups going. out. in the streets. She is prevented from having her name published in per, arid’ completely forbidden to travel alone. The Bedouins and the’ peasants ‘orm’ the majority of women are bought and sold as chattels, They are. not as’ human beings’ with full rights to live, but as workers in the fields and “without any social security, and receive as payment only a piece of dry bread ‘an. old garment. The Jordanian women ‘are deprived of all rights—political, vic. and social. a ‘Bedouin eats meat only on feast days, that is twice a year, and the peasants ly eat meat only once-a month. The meal of the day is usually dry‘ bread. refugee woman spends ‘her thought. and time worrying over daily food for mily. She. lives from one meal to the next, dependent upon-the ration card chy Secures for each member of her family 10 kilos of flour, half a kilo of sugar, and a kiloof rice, which is the: only income of the, family) If she talks, meets, or its against her state, she is threatened by fear of having this ticket taken away, xposing her and her family to a sure death: So it is no wonder that the pcople ° ‘country are: asking. for the expulsion jof the United Nations Relict and tation. Agency. st of the refugee camps 80 % of miscarriages are caused by under-nourishment ‘mothers. The living accommodation is composed of worn out: tents that cannot + them from: the cold of winter or the heat of summer, of: caves in the mount- [under old buildings, or of one mud room where the animals share the quarters with them. One doctor declared, “Children die of influenza.in winter larthoea 'in.summer. the death rate teaching as Bigh as 60% in most camps, Q J ondan there are not many industries employing Worthan. In the few that exist, i tobacco factories, women work for 14 hours a day-and receive less than a of the men’s wagés. We have’ no wage-earning peasant women, as the women atically work with their men on the land of the feudal lord, who owns them ame way as he posseses his. land. Besides: doing her housework, the peasant h works-14 hours a day on the the land fr Fisees or if she doubles het efforts ight’. get an armful of wheat. is a scarcity of female labour as they do not live long under these hard ions, and the price of women.has gone up in some tribes. A man gets engaged aby girl to ensure a wife for himself in the future. ands of children die without a doctor or health centre to look after them: nly treatment is based on superstitions which very often cause their death. and infant schools-are unhéard of throughout the kingdom. 179 === [PDF page 181] === It is Anglo-American. imperialism. which rules and: controls all our Political: economic. life. Anglo-American imperialism. now, and previously English impe aim. to. suffocate us, We want to be free, we want to join our efforts to the of all oppressed nations to win national independence. The war. preparations in our country have resulted in the military dictators Glubb Pasha, in mass arrests, and the sending of thousands of people to desert! centration camps. The policy of hunger is being carried out so that mén are fe to. join the army for a salary of 5 dinars or 15 dollars a month in order to seq living for themselves and their families. A law has been imposed on our people which calls for the arrest and impri of everyone who signs.a peace petition, holds a meeting, contributes to the pe partisans, or receives by post a paper mentioning or calling for peace; Everyone thinks, or is suspected,of thinking, is imprisoned for 3 to 15.years with hard lal The English Government has given a loan of 14/2 million sterling to be used only prisons, concentration camps, intelligence service and militarisation.: The Jordanian people, in ‘spite of various ‘terrorist methods used to prevent from expressing ‘their hate and: opposition to the recent aggressive visit of showed the Americans through hundreds of petitions, appeals and signatures, thr the refusal of. the refugees to. meet and. discuss with him, through ‘slogans wy on the walls, and in spite of terrorist soldiers numbering one to every 5. ci that the Jordan people will not allow him to rule them. They will not let him. their country, resources and people in preparing for an aggressive war agains! Seviet people — our friends and the friends of all oppressed people, the defen their rights and independence on very. occasion. The Jordanian women have started to take their place in this honourable s' l Three years ago a women’s organisation was formed in Jordan which aims at findi a better life for the woman, her family, her people and her country, Our organisa took part in the Conference for the Defence of Children. which was held in Vienna in 1952\by sending a delegation, It was the first time that Jordan} as a country, attended a world conference and could contact the world forces which are working to ensure for children and everybody security, peace and ‘happiness. The women of Jordan are strengthening and carrying on their struggle their rights. We demand liberty for all colonial countries, the sovereignty of na and their right to settle their own problems. It is only in. this way».that we can win. their rights. We demand the immediate ending of all wars, especially: those in Korea, Viet Nam and Malaya. ‘We demand the prohibition of germ warfare and weapons of mass destructio: the reduction of armaments which are given as food.and bread to mothers. We demand the signing of a’ peace pact between the 5 Great Powers.. We demand the granting of rights to:women, and that they be considered as beings. entitled to peace and happiness. 180 === [PDF page 182] === af she. wor’ Hee dtipcliin. Company. «the ‘Soressen vicie bolidar: by. fd. and enconrksing the se IBANON — Mrs. Ma TARET -- League for the Rights of Lebanese: Women, Tae swiiinien ‘of ‘our country have obtained the ight to vote ‘and. to hold -offiee; ie ABR Af the. oftorts. eseriod by the reaction anh ‘and the Government to prevent therm! fom exercising this right: to the full. The Gevernmeni: ‘dic: hot: wish to give: the: Sghtte vote, except te. women: who had educational cualifications. ‘This weild have srevented. ihe. brim’: mijeriy of: mothers, working werten: aad "peasants: from Woling and holding ‘office: hers werd late meetings in the factorics,; in the: town districts, and: i the: villages. ast Campaign of protest was organised.:Petitio 2 circtiaied, delegations went: responsidie officials: Under this pressure ‘the Government was: odligect to-alter aw dtd give to ALL wornen the right io. vate. i no dur-country: Ween ive under: Wrctehei ‘corcilions which bre growing worse SOL Hay to: aby. Thre “eho! Werk (fal thi ‘epinding lls: and: fox: the concession HOONIGS, Such ax “the tdibeces. factory, talk fran: 12 (f6: I hours: per! day: Tor ‘a: wage PMG Pe: Paw 100° 1c) 1500 piastres a das Cfhids ix (fo! Say He: prica lof three kilo- MUMES “Sf bread) It ney rise 16 Q00 to! 250° piastiteg per ‘day: fox qualified workers Have @penl tuo: years In’ the service of: these. companies.: Similarly ‘the work Med. Gene: countryside, and’ in general: all: tomald. workers, got wages Tower OSE HEH men Veetive fos tbe same work, Furthermore ‘the: fnctory: Owner®. se ab. Ressible isang to deprive ihneir wovkmen ard worten: of their rights: ta: compensation: force: then /to. sign dove ments: yiving ‘we such: compensation. 's.suifer froin chest: disédaox and olber dangerous: Hinesses: t A cehe¥ ‘ate “oredthiag ‘in: to: long hours: of work. atid 1 ab INIHLINOA, Phore is no fomai af: insarares ‘or +56 (i pecuriiy: to: -protedh: wie MMSE gUGR aK sak occupational. and ‘other: diseascs, -uceldents ‘at works: old: age: Hal oY tla désablement, uheiriplopneat: or dealin.: Mothers care: sysiematically: ased émplovimnent et “he factories = for In ipracticd: marriage: deprives ‘therm of the Me to work,: i uy PEO 597) of the work Helo the-cotton. dust v6 our towns and wilidgas Ave: ede: hundreds - of small children: hanging: about: the d SOS OP off eVinig ay * padse rs bY Miserable | packages: of PASE === [PDF page 183] === ‘' labour which is.much too hard for them. They have never known-even the | ‘chewing gum and. unsaleable magazines. They are often taken on also‘ to work or compelled to work in the fields receiving only a very. nominal wag: of school instruction owing to the shortage of schools and to their parents to pay school fees. Infant mortality is “high. Unemployment is everywhere and wages are shamefully low. Most of the indi workers and craftsmen earn two to three pounds a day which. barely: ena heads of families to provide bread, for their wives and children. Consequen’ necessary for’ parents to send: their children out to work at a very: seat about 30 to 50. piastres for a long day’s labour. The feudal system existing in the districts of Akkar Bekaa and southern enable the landed proprietors to reduce the peasantry to slavery. — Young women workers and peasants are mostly illiterate and are'often sold age of 10.10 15 years, just like any merchandise, to men Who make them wor beasts of burden. This situation was discussed at. the Congress of Lebanese. which showed the. tremendous possibilities and force of women in the § their rights, and the rights of their children, and for peace and national indepen They affirmed their will to fight against war. plans, for national indepei the conclusion of a Peace Pact between the Five Great Powers, for ‘the | hostilities in Korea, Viet-Nam and Malaya and to put an end -to the Aggression the peoples in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco ete. LEBANON — Mrs. Madeleine ARCACHE — Writer, President of the. ‘Women’s of the Progressive Socialist Party. And motherhood, to ensure nourishment, for free and compulsory education, the fight against unemployment. These tasks are but’a small part of the: 9! .: we have to humanity and they place on us the duty of forming in eve! .a national front of womien against wars, against the danger of atomic bom! threaten the world, with destruction and ruin. We call on women to live in friendly understanding with the nations whi another way of life, in peace and friendship which will thus permit the creat: cultural exchange and trading. x We ask those countries manufacturing, atomic. bombs to replace their atomi by plants ‘which will manufacture goods’ for peace, and where atomic bomb: ‘be replaced by tools for human happiness, Every mother throughout the world Imows that her most ardent desire is. up her children in a world at peace which. will assure her of a healthy ai family life. We know that all this is possible and. we, {he women of the wh: shall unite to achieve it, regardless of race, colour or creed. 182 3 ay Myre SY « a === [PDF page 184] === te SAY: autjecied 16 a: oi woman is: ‘su’ ected toa Special position: of inferiority, a wictirn ot the my, the Bolivian worn | siege: the: wi mati besides: doing: the same see as. the man sine on: the: x the “do work; the raising -of: children el¢.-and obligations - OE -doniestic: service. ‘One ‘ot the ‘most extra: Ti consists of appearing the -house of the: f -earry out domestic work withoul pay at -all.: “The landlord has also an: additional right, he: Spernads” ‘right, ‘a’! the Jandlord's sons to initiate their sexual ©: e, The: peasant woman is the one. who suflexs most from the> backwondness of the Bolivian’ countryside. ; men, “in order ‘to: alleviate their g ness causes ihe Breatest: === [PDF page 185] === ravages among ‘the female. population: For them there are no. effective Pp for. the protection of maternity at all. There is. no organisation which fights for rights of the Bolivian peasant woman. The majority of the mining workers are women, who work under the most primi; conditions, without even the most elementary protection, Practically all of them with their children on their backs and are helped. by the bigger children, Conditions of semi-slavery are also found in the rubber plantations of Bolivia. the big estates reach an incredible. size. For example, one of them extends for than 600.000 hectares, which is’an area larger than Denmark. In ‘these domains are practically no other laws except ‘those imposed by the feudal lords, Wage: paid in kind, The labour of these workers. is so badly paid that day by day \their debt iner a reaching fantastic sums which they can never meet, thus enslaving them for When they die the debts are passed on to be paid by their families, who are ij: power of the landlord, as. belongings to be disposed of. as he.likes. There have cases in which girls of 7 and 8 have been sold to do the work of adult wi waiting to become the concubines of the men to whom they belong. The Boli people are today resolved to fight to end these conditions, and it is, necessai stress that the women have played, and will. play, an honourable part in this stru; The path. of natiohal liberation is marked out. with thousands of mass: victims, prisoners and detainees, The most notable of these activities: was the strike of Catavi'in 1942, where Maria Barzola, already a legendary figure in the of, Bolivia, leading more,than 700 workers. of Cancaviri came to Catavi to supp strikers and break ‘the encirclement of machine guns, She and the workers killed. It was on this occasion that the U.S, Air Force intervened and machine-gu brutally repressed. An entire working class community. was bombed by, the company’s air force. The heroism of the Bolivian workers on this occasion was ‘UNSULpass: The women were present in all these actions. ‘ In July 1950 more than 100 women of all ages — there were old women and y girls among them — assembled in front of the La Paz University. and declan hunger strike which lasted five days. United by one sole desire, these wo succeeded in getting the victims of government persecution freed from the pris The women ‘took direct part in the front line of the armed insurrection sth April 1952, contributing to its victory, The objectives of this struggle were of the mines, the liquidation for ever of feudalism on the land, the winning of ¢ cratic liberties, industrialisation and land reform. Some of these demands. have b won: the nationalisation of the mines, universal suffrage, for. women, also, the of women to elect and be elected, and the recognition. of the workers’ right to 0: in trade unions.and to establish a labour organisation, In order to strangle the popular movement ‘by starvation, the North Americ imperialists, before accepting a new sale contract. for tin, demanded’ a series.: conditions such as the reorganisation of the. army, the dismissal of working lass. ministers etc. The reply of the Bolivian people through all. their. organisations been.— a free market -for tin and friendly relations with all the peoples who peace, a hs ae The struggle of the. Bolivian people is not over. The economic and independence of Bolivia can only, be obtained if Bolivian tin is utilised for peace progress and not,for war and extermination, 184 === [PDF page 186] === imprisonment and hu i fact ges ot inca ‘that he women Of: India bi ai field Laws have to be implement ity: our: women's organisations ace iremendous 1g TAG was: dearly demonstrated han 80 85, O fy: ry. TOE” ‘feee, OF the total number en thi nt: facilities tit £01 Tdetending he ch : fr: pitikes: net cattent === [PDF page 187] === For a population of 350 million, India has only 50,000 doctors, 7,000 trained nu: 5,000 midwives and only 100 children’s specialists. We have only 75,000 hospital children’s hospitals being a rarity. This is inevitable with an expenditure of ‘or 3°%o of the budget on health services, The major cause of this high prevalence of disease, whereby the expectancy of is reduced to 25/2 years, is malnutrition. According to medical sources only a thi the population is sufficiently fed, a third underfed, and another third constantly starvation. Cost of living has.gone up to more than four times what it was before. last war and wages have not kept pace. Today in every meeting, in every area question asked by women is how can we supplement ihe family income. Imperialist interests saw to it that India remained a backward country provi raw material and a market for consumer goods. Foreign capital dominates most the industries,. Women are employed in industries such as textiles, jute, coal mines, mica, gla leather, rice husking and plantations. The tea and coffee plantations are still owned by British mterests, and here the entire family of the worker lives the life o serf on the planter’s estate. Today the women workers of the plantations are becomii conscious of their right to a living wage, the right to organise, and the right to defend their children. Women plantation workers recently took a leading part in the agitati against retrenchment. In Travancore Cochin it is the rice mill workers, in Madr. the handloom workers and municipal workers, in Bombay the textile workers, ir Calcutta the juteworkers, who are in the forefront of organisations demand the right of women to equal pay for equal work, maternity benefits, and’ hea! insuranee schemes. “The major cause of this hig! prevalence of disease whereb; the expectancy of life is reduce¢ to 25% years, is malnutrition: According to medical sources, third of the population is suffi; ciently fed, a third is underfe and another third constantl: faces starvation. The cost of. living has gone up more than four times since before the last wai and wages have not kept pace” (Hajrah Begum). 186 === [PDF page 188] === village meeting during electoral campaign. great numbers the momen gave their votes the candidates who fend their right to life and progress. The problem of unemployment has been accentuated, Firstly after the partition sf India and Pakistan, industrial centres were separated from the source of raw terials, and secondly, tens of tousands of families were forced to leave their hearth “and home. Attempts are made to provide co-operatives and work centres for these ‘destitute families but the women’s organisations alone*or even the government work mtres, barely touch the fringe of the problem. New hope was given to women during the work for the preparation of the National Conference, thousands of women were reached in the course of our cam- India is a‘country where 80°/o of the population lives in villages. The base of our lemocratic women’s organisations, in Andhra, in Tripura, in Punjab is amongst the ‘peasant women. Yet it is in these peasant areas that the greatest destitution prevails. amine constantly haunts the land. During the last 5 years in some area or other, ine has taken toll of thousands of human lives such as in Rayalseema, in U.P., Orissa, in Maharastra. For people outside India it is impossible to understand how ‘Auman beings can live without food weeks and months, yet we have seen with our mn eyes the peasant women and children scouring the forests in search of roots and erties. The question of food shortage has become a national question for us. Many Solutions are put forward to solve this problem. Our country is becoming more and ore involved in foreign loans; huge community projects are launched with foreign ital and foreign personnel. The theory of controlling the population is advanced a solution for the food problem. But our people know that the crux of the problem i§ the problem of the land; 80 °/o of the peasants have noi enough land for their needs. ‘We in India have been spared the direct effects of war, but to us war meant the ngal famine which took a toll of 3'/2 million lives. Today we know that India Will starve as long as there is war anywhere in Asia. Our women realise more and Mhore, if international trade barriers could be removed, there would be food in plenty the people of the world. To fight famine we must fight for peace, for friendship id co-operation between the people of the world. t can be said that in general women in India are deprived of equal rights in “Marriage, equal rights of inheritance, and it is to adjust this inequality that during hé last year in Andhra, in Bengal, in Maharastra and Travancore, great campaigns ive peen carried on for introducing new marriage and inheritance laws in Parliant. More than 60.000 signatures have been collected in the South alone, === [PDF page 189] === en in India have demonsirated their urgent desire to win for the decent life,In the peasant areas of the South, in Bengal and Upper Predesh, prisoned and hundreds died either in prison or as a result of bullets, but thi carried’ on undaunted.:Today in such areas as Andhra, Travancore, Tripura, democratic organisations of women exist, composed of 5.000 to 10.000 mem Y For peace and in defence of democratic rights, our women ‘set <a: Tecord, Pritam Singh having by herself collected 60,000 signatures for the 5 Pow Pact..Recently in Delhi as a part of the anti-Dulles campaign, 60 women ‘were after a demonstration. ‘ INDIA — Mrs. Annie MASCARENE — Member of Parliament, Thaia stands for peace, International peace and amity are her declared policy, incorporated in her constituion, and accepted by the nation. The women of the y: states of India have taken a keen interest in spreading the message of peace a the people. I myself have the privilege of leading the peace ‘movement in my. state in South India. We request the women of the world to join hands with working for the peace of the world in order to save humanity from the horror: miseries of a third world war. -We women of the World Congress demand:: That the preamble of the Charter of the United Nations be implemented. © The cessation of war in Korea, That exploitation of nations be stopped and national independence and self mination be granted to every country. It will not be out of place at this juncture to invite the attention ‘of ‘the wo! the world to the problem of peace in Asia. Asian unity is being disturbed © Wars in Korea, Malaya and Indochina. The American crusade for liberty in Ko; the’ bombing of ‘peaceful villages, destruction of schools and hospitals, and actions against civilians.and prisoners of war. Reactionaries, and corrupt forces make democracy, peace and justice impossible, are: given support to. distintegra' solidarity,.of the people, like Chiang Kai Shek and the: French puppet in — Indo-China, and thus pave the way for war while they profess peace. The oi interests, yet the treatment of Iran during her famine in 1948 was brutal, T! e an. economic boycott of Iran.and interference’ in the ‘national. affairs — country..A time is. coming when. the superiority of nations..will be measure hydrogen and atom bombs, battle ships and bombers, submarines. and soldie rather in churches, homes, hospitals, libraries and’ schools, We demand that ‘all race discrimination and exploitation in Africa and elsew! stopped, so that each nation be given the right to rule and enjoy their own We demand that all weapons of mass slaughter be banned. prevail. We. are sure that this Congress will succéed in achieving peace for the World [Unreadable] === [PDF page 190] === hor lly: ie the work of the one peace iodine You fw been reminded: Ui¢ipation of women in this mmovernent. Our work in the Jast A: years a put forward aunele ideas and: ‘reasonable: oe At He they. wore 8 id, but now these same: ideas are pecogitised: by thousands of millions able but as: needed for our very ‘survival: 2:: St OE these ideas is. he idea tof: neetion. There 1S vith: your ueat Cohen. ‘And 0 We “urn 16 you wil: hings: ‘Let cunite you-and that cancerh: you that you a “eet § iask. nol: merel mning such women ve moving | towards: Hou. but A owin ng all: i proad aims ‘sc hatth fo,:; === [PDF page 191] === Ou: movement in Northern Ireland is in its infancy. We are faced with a ni of difficulties which we ‘hope most of you will understand and appreciate, country is divided into two. Political and religious differences have been delibera} fostered between Catholic and Protestant and between North and South. The from which I come, and which is known as Northern Ireland, has been held British interests in order to continue the extraction. of the tribute, (340 million been paid over to Britain in the last 10 years from a population of 11/4 million’ . on the grounds that it is necessary for our defence) and to maintain a war North Ireland. Lord Brookborough, Prime Minister of the Northern Ireland Government, wh visited America in 1951, promised the then President Mr. Harry Truman, that he» Pledge the men of Northern Ireland in any war that the USA felt was jus Without consulting Parliament, our people and our country have been pledged to fij for the war aims of the US and we still continue to see the wealth of Northern Ire] going out In form of tribute and investment in other countries.: War has been with us twice. Our women: have seen their brothers,sons and hus! &o off to wars... some never to return, 19,000 to be disabled in body and limb, I the last world war, Belfast suffered severe devastation (which has never yet built up) and thousands of men, women and children lost their lives in air raids women have had enough of war, and wish to-work for peace, The textile industry in Northern Ireland which can employ 74,000 persons, mai women, nearly collapsed last year. Over 20,000 women and girls were throw; of work, Where formerly we exported millions of yards of cloth to the Far Eas’ now export only thousands.: a The rearmament programme and the threat to peace has meant increased living, increased transport fares (5 times since 1948), increased prices, of coal a essential services. In all the struggles taking place on these questions, at all confer We. pledge to do everything we can so that all ‘Irish women, once again, can in defence of Ireland against all those who have designs to make our islan, atomic base in a future world war. 190 === [PDF page 192] === AFRICA — Mrs. Asha DAWOOD — Democratic Federation of South African Women. lay, I have come here not only as a delegate from our newly formed Women’s jocratic Federation of South Africa, but as a delegate of all oppressed peoples in th Africa, oppressed because of the colour of our skin. u will see what Apartheid means to us. Take for instance my home town where Pere is a population of about 53,000 people, of whom 16,000 are Europeans. Our eral Post Office according to Apartheid is divided into two sections, threeirters for European and one quarter for non-Europeans. The Europeans are served e times quicker than the non-whites. At the railway station also we have separate ances and are always served last. At all public entrances today you will find a e-—-European and non European. a ‘here was a law passed to group the different races into separate groups. If they ign a certain area under the Group Areas Act to a certain group, the others have leave the area, and where it is strictly applied. you get one year’s notice to leave area. ‘here is a great shortage of houses too. Hundreds of thousands of. people live in in the squatters camps. Some huts measure 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. sometimes a family of 10 lives in such a hut and mothers have to give birth in sight the whole family. There are only a few maternity homes for non whites in South ica. The biggest burden is that Africans have to carry passes. If they are found without heir passes they are put into jail. There are special farm-jails and thousands of isoners work there for 1/6d a day. We have protested against these laws—one protest after another, but the Goyernment has just ignored us. Then the Defiance Campaign started on June 26th That marked the date which started our struggle against all unjust laws, hildren sitting among shacks with one of their elders teaching them to read. Most of the Negro children in South Africa can’t go to school. 191 === [PDF page 193] === 9,000 people defied various laws and have been imprisoned; all of them sery: sentences rather than pay their fines. Many women joined in, and women. with on their backs went to jail, The Defiance Campaign was but the first step an thousands. and thousands of people conscious of what was going on. The Minister of Justice has given the police the right to shoot at the peopl they think it is necessary to defend themselves. From the age of 17, white « are trained to use guns. Almost every.European has a gun but non-whites allowed to have any arms. If they find books on you that are banned, you al in jail for 10 years. The struggle is still ahead of us. They may crush our bodies, but not°the s the people, Iam going from here with confidence and new hope for the future. Contribution of the representative of the South African Trade Unions. IT wish to convey to you the warmet greetings of the South African Trade Labour Council. and the Garmént Workers, Union of South. Africa. We are the largest and one of the most militant trade unions in- South Afri the leaders of the Union -have led many. strikes for the improvement of wi conditions and have all been jailed at times for fighting for the rights of South: workers. Our Union has organised not only. garment workers, milliners and nt workers, but also tobacco, textile and many other sections’ of industry wher majority of the workers are women, a The position of African women has been, and still is, very bad,. Prior to. Wor War II most of these women worked in domestic service and earned very littl result of the war there. was a great expansion of industry. African women en’ industry in large numbers, but employers paid them about one-third of une Wi paid to other: women workers. The Industrial Conciliation Act which governs trade unions excludes ‘worket are covered by the Urban Areas Act and other’ oppressive laws covering people, My Union took a case to Court and succeeded in getting the Court | that African women are not excluded by the Industrial Conciliation Act, and’ are therefore covered by agreement..As a result of this judgement, many tho! of African women in our industry, and in other industries, benefitted, and are earning the same wages as white and coloured women. During the last session of Parliament two laws were passed, namely the Pi Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act. These Acts are to be apy to all people, including women, and the Public Safety: Act makes. provision * any person who advises, encourages, incites, commands, aids or procures any person or ‘persons in general, or uses anything or does any act or thing | cale to cause any person or persons in general to commit an offense by. way of. pri against aJlaw or in support‘of any campaign for the repeal or modification of law, or the variation or limitation.of the application or such administration of law, shall be guilty of an offense”, The maximum penalty for a person participating in such a’ campaign is a fi £ 300, or 10 strokes of the lash or 3 years imprisonment, or any two of the the penalty for a person who incites or encourages is a fine of £500 or 10 Strokes the lash or 5 years imprisonment, or any two of these penalties. The question asked in Parliament whether it was the intention to flog women-as ‘well, ai reply of the Minister was in the affirmative. The flogging would also apply men and women who. took part in a strike. This will prove how difficult life has become in South Africa, In spite of it, we try and work to the utmost of our ability for the freedom of the people of Si Africa and for the raising of their social and economic standards. 192 3 === [PDF page 194] === nie A diw folksongs tothe: Con: Qopruhagen seyoclehihhven eam“ tc 's === [PDF page 195] === The Bulgarian women, in full equality of rights: wi he men, ha thi te hy Hi of eau! ae the trade | ant pe fessi nal | schon 2h re = ine ‘work ag. teachers. ae ee: === [PDF page 196] === mary nust ensure < the well-being ot the fam ty: by “mutual ‘ottort, “pid pee ANE the childre ach one of them: 80 cwishes, she: may “Important. point: of nd other assels, ‘This - === [PDF page 197] === Instead of five high schools with 9,800 students in 1944, there are ‘now thirte: schools, with: 28,078 students, Now. the sons and»daughters of working peor studying in high schocls. About 20 per cent of all students are sons and daughters working men and women. ‘To meet the needs of the country for highly q personnel, high schools have organised faculties for correspondence courses. Before 1944 Turkish youth living in Bulgaria did not. even dream of@high s education. Today a great number of Turkish youths are studying in Bulgarian schools and enjoy the same rights as the Bulgarian students. In Sofia University is even a special section for Turkish students where they are taught in oe mg tongue. With joy and enthusiasm the women cooperate in the construction of new fa 0 and new plants, and work in industrial production, for they know. that the way country has taken means the guarantee of freedom, independence and true de for our land and our people, the guarantee of international solidarity in‘ defe: peace. Through the work of Bulgarian women, through ‘the work of their sons and daug ters, 252. new industrial works were built in the years 1949-1951, among the ‘beautiful chemical works “Stalin,” the textile mill “Ernst Thaelmann,” the’ pi plants “Republic,” and “Tscherwenkoff,” the railway repair works “Dimitrof” an | big dam “Wassili Kolaroff,” as well as many others. For Bulgarian women, these great successes achieved in recent years, are not me figures, These figures mean for them new factories, new dams, schools, kindergart T creches, maternity. homes and hospitals, flourishing fields,-tractors and combine haryesters, an ever increasing surplus.of articles for mass consumption, a rich and full They: mean for them decrease in prices on all articles, the end of, rationing, end unemployment, abolition of hunger and poverty, The women are a great force in the production cooperatives, In these cooper: 500,000 women work in cultivating and agricultural brigades. Among them are than 20,000 section leaders, 31,030 administrative workers. 4,142 women are chai of cattle breeding farms, 758 tractor and combine harvester drivers, and their num grows from day to day. The struggle for a larger harvest is one of the most impo: ways, of. developing the creative powers of working peasant women, The ‘bri “Jendrewa” in 1952 harvested 5,720 kg. of wheat per ha. This example is.evid the power and ability of our heroic peasant women in the production of crop: ‘ owe most of their success to the application of a higher agricultural technique and use of scientific methods drawn fromthe new Soviet science, There are on our today more than. 12,000 tractors, and 1,000 combine harvesters. ‘The mechanisatio agriculture liberates the peasant women from the former drudgery and makes conscious of being citizens of their country with equal: rights, The Bulgarian women stand unanimously for the declaration of April 27th, made by the presidium of the People’s Assembly; the Cotincil of Ministers ‘an permanent bureau of the National Council of the Fatherland front concernin; signing of a peace pact by the Five Great Powers. The law for. the protection of freedom, voted for in 1950, is evidence of ee wish to maintain peace. Our people, our women and mothers, declare at this Co that they will defend the cause of peace to the final victory, together. with all loving peoples, together with the women and mothers.of the whole world, 196 === [PDF page 198] === Lionel SOTO — on behalf of the International Union of Students. wo questions from your discussions have a particular importance for us: the comfe aecess of women to culture and education; and the question in close connection ith the nature and activities of women, children’s education. Undoubtedly the guarantee of the possibilities for children, and especially girls, to be ~ ‘imitted to secondary, higher and university education without any difficulties or rejudices, and on the basis of an absolute equality of opportunities and rights, conutes a very important aspect in the activities to achieve a real democratisation of lucation in numerous countries. In the fields of culture and access to education we note different striking facts as ited in the report given: here. For instance, one of the things which characterises the sition of women students in higher education is their small number as compared to ale students. My The students of the whole world are preparing for their Third World Students’ mgress which will take place in Warsaw, Poland, from August 27th to September 3rd, )53, We students shall discuss at our Congress means of exchange and co-operation; e situation of our colleagues in colonial and dependent countries who suffer most. om the weight of misery, oppression and war; our necds and how to achieve better icademic and material conditions to improve the situation of students in many counies; plans for our future activities in the field of culture, sport, relief, and all that contributes to ‘bringing nearer and to uniting and developing amongst students the eling of friendship and fraternity. the delegations had brought many things characteristic of their country or made there. During the Congress they were gathered in an exhibition. 197 === [PDF page 199] === A beautiful region in South Albania: Argirocastro. ALBANIA — Mrs, QUIBRIE CIU — Vice-Minister of Education. ryN f Tne women of Albania who up to now were ignored even by their parents and, - husbands, and who were never even consulted on the simplest matters, are highly: esteemed today, and the people respect them and give them their confidence bj electing them as representatives to the People’s Governmental bodies, including the highest ones. While 549 women were elected as deputies to the people’s councils the towns and villages in 1950, a total of 1,931 were elected in 1952. There are women in Parliament, two of them members of the Presidium and one is a membi of the Bureau of the Presidium. Among the deputies to Parliament there are simp! women like Evanti Pecini, who until a short time ago was an illiterate housewife, bi today is president of a handicraft co-operative; women like the old worker Rosa Hila,’ who has experienced capitalist exploitation since the age of 9 and who today director of the Chkroda Spinning mill; partisans in the war of liberation like Elen’ Teresi, who ‘today is director of the Stalin textile factory in Tirana. In addition, 396 were elected jurors in the people’s courts. One of the members the Supreme Court is a woman, 3,884 are shock workers, 307 Stakhanovites and 2,074 decorated with the order of the war of liberation and of labour. Under the reign of King Zog, more than 80 per cent of the population were illiterate, the majority of whom were women. In the future there will be no more illiterac: After the liberation, more than 109,000 women learned to read and write, and at the end of the first five-year plan in 1955, illiteracy will have been wiped out. Primary. education is free and compulsory. The network of 7-year schools attended by 11,332 young girls is extending from year to year. In 1938 there were only 1,949. 198 === [PDF page 200] === the. Social Insurance Law is ene of the greatest victories for working women as as for the whole people. This fund assures the women the right to free care in the «nity homes and the right to wages during the 90 days interruption of her work. working mother of a family enjoys right to leave her work for a certain time in one of her children under four years is ill. During that time her wages are being idout of the social insurance fund. She and her children have the right to free in all medical state institutions. The old age of the working woman is insured by ight to a pension after having reached the age of 55. The law ensures her the for an annual leave ranging from a fortnight to one month which she can spend ne of. the recreation homes of the trade unions by paying a modest sum. n the past. the women had no rights concerning marriage, family and children. The rriage of young people, and particularly of young girls, depended exclusively upon parents’ wishes. Many young girls had’ to marry at the age of thirteen or fourteen ars. Now the question of marriage depends entirely upon the wishes of the young n and girls, n honour of the mother and of her educational role, the People’s Power adopted a 'w for “compensation to mothers of numerous children.” Last year, 400 mothers at the asion of the ist June were especially decorated with orders and medals. Whereas before the liberation there was in Tirana one single maternity home cessible for rich women of the capital only, today we already have 90 maternity mes of which 61 are in the country; 96 health centres, four sanatoria, three orphan mes, 100 creches, and 207 nurseries have been built. ‘We are more keen than ever that the past should never return. That is why we have Hobilised the women and work gladly for the construction of a new life, for the ngthening of our People’s Democracy, for safeguarding the victories we have jeved, because we know that by strengthening our Popular regime we support at ie same time the fight for a secure peace, Big changes have taken place in the life of the Albanian woman. Formerly despised, she now plays an important part in the prosperity of her country. For young children, life will become ever more ' beautiful and . interesting. === [PDF page 201] === We do not forget that our country is surrounded by the gangs. of the ¥ Government of Tito, by the monarcho-fascists of Greece and the neo-fascisis. who.instigate. provocations on. our frontiers. on the order of their Americ: English patrons. We will know how to defend our country if it is attacked. PARAGUAY — Dr. Dalila SOLER DE QUEVEDO. Penad a is a small country’ situated in the heart of South America with 1, inhabitants. Ours is a long history of fighting, sacrifices, triumphs and set- backs: have left deep marks.on our people. Our country, once flourishing and demo today poor and subjected to the government of the USA by means of: Point 4 so-called “Assistance for Backward Countries.” More. than 300,000 inhabitants expelled for political reasons, Our economy is ruined andthe land is ¢cultivat very primitive way. In consequence, life for women and children is very indeed. Therefore, the women of Paraguay understand very Well that the ‘fighi their rights and for their demands and the protection, education and health of children is closely connected with the fight of all people for. democratic righ creased production, development. of periculture, peace and national independen Today, the women of Paraguay are deprived of all civic, political and eca rights andthe wife is, virtually the property of the husband. The women by work ‘contribute decisively to the economic lite of the country. More than 90 per ¢ of the teachers are women, receiving a, salary. of 400 guaranis, which is 7 dollars. Their old age pension is ridiculously small.The women teachers have for paid jobs besides their teaching appointments, There are thousands of wi A workers in the factories, and there are workshops where they are employed in. erence, to men. Many women work.as vendors, carrying their baskets.on their and their child on their arm. Many are employed as domestic servants but thei is in no way protected by law and these women ‘are dependent on the goodwill decency of their employers. A great number of wives, daughters or sisters work 01 fields to help the men, When wages were increased on the basis of resolution 74 of May. 8th, 19 women were awarded 29.50 guaranis, while their male colleagues received 345 day. This wage is insufficient to cover even the most elementary needs. The problem of the children is frightful: 70 per cent of them die before of 10..A great number of children of school age work, and the crowded conditio: which they are forced to live is seriously damaging their health and morals. Paralys syphilis, and leprosy are rampant. Vagrancy and undernourishment are mos problems ‘as regards our-children, 130,000 children. every year have, found no Dl a school, Most of the schools lack: the necessary hygienic installations such a$ Pp) classrooms, running water, good lighting and sanitary facilities, The parents obliged to pay.70 per cent of their income in taxes used for the army, police and the repayment of debts to foreign countries, incurred because of our ‘colonial posi Several women were arrested and maltreated for’their peace activities, enthusiasm of the women who fight for peace has grown in importance ‘all the’ We know the suffering and the sacrifices which two cruel wars have inflict us, and we know their economic and social’ consequences. This is why we belie the necessary patience must be found to solve the differences between government peaceful negotiations. We still remember the Chaco-war wheré we lost 3,000 men, 200 === [PDF page 202] === gare. of the magazine of ine Now Zealand omen. home L enh st Wits: ah my sincer Teany tyappy to ‘bring: vou ‘the warmest erewtings froma the w omens Un vr a New Zealand. Niw Zcaland is & snail, yourg country Wi hh beauléus ‘scenecy; snow-clad mountains: bes andl tharmial regions. Under social. security 10 shillings a week ‘are paid: for every: WaModicine, doctors and io pilals are free. A huge ouillding prograinme was carried Hai today in every: skburh one sacs pretty. ‘horcs with gardens and #réen grass: for laren “to play, Today because of the Natonal-Government’s Huge war commitments carne has dwérdled until ‘cohiraétérs: ard forced ‘to pus men off work; ad in. Nese Zealand are ratber Gigh, with: the price of food; fuel ite. Gusewives find if vory: difficull: to: balaned -tHeii-budget, and muny thousands:of women akea full or part-iine job to: hal: out. A shose woth os. 5 HElle tund ‘Grow veueitn bles) pOERS “price of: vagetubles: is. higher than over before. The Teall Depariment have a mandir to make people: more: food ‘conscious; Slogoyis -appear in’ -tranis: and but ee Gin aly mothers aiv aavised Lo give ther children: fruit: but mothers cannot: oftore prices: diarged, ia yeuss ago: the deckers asked f9p a gmall-incecase: in pey: and. better working snditions, After a ‘baitle with the cmployers thoy were. Joeked: cul: Alt sections: of Ke: community suffered in same dezved, the Hes lof the -serikers: mos) of als: ¥ot. Ne Ovofils of the! shipoing ‘ebimpanics ‘continue. to. rise. 2 Phe “groutest! fight We ‘put pis for world: pecce. thesoniy. sotutton to the word's Problems, Peace would mean a better dealtor the workers, more homes, more schools. shillings godial scourity: fox chiidrer is not of ouch “uss tb mothers HY. Let times more pert fo KUL thei sons, sacrifice (@ Year dud: edurzte ‘their: children, then: as 8 Gre -blosgophing ini young ‘manhood: and: wormanhood=see them: mareli “awsy- 10: sughtér: the: sims: of other mothers: im uther countries: More -wemen: are awakens ne: othe senseless. Waste ol war, Wein the: Women's Union never Iét-an ‘opportigity go by for-our campaign eas cost Ein trams, bases, or our: ships—we falk with ather women, === [PDF page 203] === COLOMBIA — Mrs. Carmen SANCHEZ — Federation of Women Peasants. W. have come to tell you of the position of Colombian women, who lack the m elementary rights. We denounce the tragedy of our country suffering under oppression of a dictatorship which started with the assassination of the leader of +] opposition, Dr. Jorge Eliecar Gaitan, at the time of the Pan-American Confere: whose principal object was the banning of the democratic parties in the contin The people protested violently but the government smashed the movement defeated it, machinegunning the people. Martial law was declared and all democrati¢ liberties abolished. Evictions were attempted against the peasants who owned their small pieces of la: which they were compelled to defend in groups in which both women and men to part. The principal sel-defence, groups are in the region of Tequendama, the guer of the eastern plains and Tolima, as well as small groups dispersed throughout 4 republic, Our government in its endeavour to show its unconditional adherence to imperialis war plans, has sent young Colombians to take part in the aggression against the peo} of Korea. But the glorious women of Korea should know that the people of Colom are not in agreement with the sending of troops to their country and they are de onstrating in various ways their protest against the war policy. At first the ani patriotic government.managed to get volunteers to go to Korea from among the yow unemployed whom they deceived with false promises. Now the soldiers of our coun’ are forced to go to Korea by various means, among which is the choice between going: to Korea cr being sent to the regions where the Colombian people are resisting by means of guerilla warfare against this blood and fire policy of the dictatorship. Columbian women lack political rights and suffer the most intense exploitation i working conditions. Sociai security provides some very restricted services to the urban population, but it does not reach the peasant women, Numerous concerns will not employment to married women and if a working woman gets married, she is dismissed “Jn several districts of Colombia, thousands of men, women and children have been coldly sacrificed through violent attacks. There are cases of the most appalling savagery” (Carmen Sanchez). This photo shows a lorry transporting the bodies of peasants tortured by the repression troops. 202 === [PDF page 204] === ler to avoid paying inateenite benefits. ‘Also maternity beds are disgracefully cient and in ‘Bogota, which does not come within the framework of the. social rity provisions, there is only one hospital where the mothers can go.. tistics from the two most important industrial centres of Bogota and Medellin hat while male workers receive-a monthly wage of 207 pesos, women workers ive a monthly wage of 88 pesos in Medellin and 109 pesos in Bogota. Women ously worked in the tobacco factories. in the city of Buca, but the bosses, in order: oid any social insurance provisions, decided. to provide tobacco to be worked in omes and, thus prevent the fulfilment of demands on the part of the women peasant women are suffering most bitterly from the government’s policy. From ry moment when the péasants of Tequendama region commenced their: great gles for Jand and liberty, many women took part. Once the peasant movement 951 the peasant women of Tequendama managed to give an example of some in the struggle when the police forces of the reactionary dictatorship managed etrate our district in order to sow terror and death among. the inhabitants, as happened in many. other areas. Many women took an active part in the defence of district which’ developed successfully. because of united action of the people, of sold men, women and children, some of them actually carrying arms, and others as Rurses: We: know that in resisting we are defending our homies, at the same “as, we struggle against the war policy for the sacred cause of world peace. September, 1952, at the time when the alliance of all the peasants of the region “being consolidated in the Democratic. Front of, National Liberation, a women’s emmittee was formed to prepare a women’s regional conference to establish the ration. of Women of Tequendama.. On the 8th of March, 1953, in celebration of ational Women’s Day,.this conference was held where 30 women’s committecs represented, of which 600 women are regular members and where the women’s sation was founded.: her. districts of. Colombia, thousands of men, women and children have been ‘sacrificed through violent attacks... There are cases of the most appalling is what Carmen, a peasant Woman, says, she is 42:years old: On a Thursday bruary this year, the police arrived at the place where she and her husband had d all their lives in the coffee region of Cunday in the province of Tolima. “The leceived us saying that if we did not attack them, they would respect. us, but it ot like that, The police locked up 35 workers in the cattle pen. They ordered the and children to line up. When we heard the shooting of the men we fled. from slace, 60 women and 85 children seeking refuge. When we. went on the highway, lanes machine-gunred us. The police were pursuing us.’They attacked us and the ghter was so appalling that some of the police defended us against the others. The nes who survived were me und my ten children and the ‘little crippled one’, nly four years old and has five bullet wounds in his body.” democratic women. understand that these disasters which have fallen on our ple are the fruit of the accursed war policy and therefore it is our great desire to in this Congress, the experiences of the W.I.D.F. and of the women of all lands, itder to find the right path to organise the women of Colombia, so that they can ir help in the struggle for peace.; 5 203 === [PDF page 205] === Against: arbitrar: daw ‘impel: us ‘to realisation of eo he delegates discuss and show to Gne another the photographs: of their difldren whom | Eat Ba Of: them finds: new: energy: to continue er artic’ S. to: win ep ACS, === [PDF page 206] === ve increasing fore ae Gesitoy eur sovercignty: and nat’ onal independence: Two the: Waited: ‘Slates government: was in: negot e1Oe th jour government: it t0. conclude ‘a military pact, as they: have already done ‘in: other: count he people yealised their: intention; they: ofganised mee sean and collected: the signat Of 4 ‘ hat out eee seul: never become. part af ihe” isation of EH ent to interrupt ‘pedotiation: been. held: uD compleicly.. Credits to! the peasants hay ibis reason thousands of unemployed are peasants: wha ‘are (aking an: work in the United $ if guna” where the drought: iting wells. They formed. cc gsant: Ca amunities; to: the Det if the health “severely: === [PDF page 207] === Whe delegate of Mexico, amon a group of pionnecers du her visit to the U.S.S.R, The Association for the Protection of Children, of which many important people i the world of science and letters are members, has held its first national and federa district conference in cur country. It made the following proposals: The planning a law to protect children, to build an adequate number of creches in work’ class districts, to build enough schools to meet the needs of the population, a celleges and secondary schools in the principal town of each district of the country to build tla and medical _ Services, holiday camps and open air schools of films, plays, radio and television, etc. The peasant women, who have up to now always been relegated to second pla are taking part in the active life of the.country with enthusiasm and determinatio: Conferences in the States of Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Coahuila show this, Fiv, hundred: women attended this last conference as delegates. In addition, five meeti were held at San Sebastian, Cabino,- Vasquez, El Tajito, Hormiguero and Terreon: which the peasants, together with their wives, declared themselves in favour of ther rights of the peasant women. These conferences and meetings had two objectives a preparations for the World Congress of Women and the holding of a National Con: ference of the Peasants.; The conclusions drawn from these conferences are the following: to fight agai the reform of article 127, which would deprive the peasants of important gains, the right to social security in the land; for equality between men and women in right to the land and to water; for protection of the infant, for medical services ar the protection of children of school age.. Friends, sisters: We have much to learn from this marvellous Congress. Eaél sentence, each report from the delegates gives us new ideas for our work. O1 National Peasants’ Conference will be held in the first fortnight in August. It already been called. The resolutions which this conference will adopt will help us to get in touch with peasant women whether théy are organised or not, so that we may take comm action with all the women of our country, You may be certain that we will do every: thing to ensure the success of this Conference in the struggle for national indepe: ence and peace. 206 === [PDF page 208] === “arent Const on benalf of Balisurn q ak for a county. which Blo: American so-cH aE aid prosrarinies asia back ° are available, for yiot all are collected, at a cornea ioe estimale no less ‘per cent? of Pakistan's: malc:acdult papuleden js: unemployed, Food: is: scarce,’ Ch: 200 ‘per cent in thice years and about:1000 per cent as compared c eeeiout any. pakiees Tse in WARES. The sees tos: vent Gf our population oul among, women it has’ fot 2 risen above f ¢ y per “cent eee of milli 8 Of oe R i cation ig not available for ‘fore: they: ent P their === [PDF page 209] === *teens, and ‘a considerable number are. known to support their whole fam: miserable pittance, before the age of 15, Devoid of all the joy of life, their warped. by wretched living conditions. Devoid of the laughter and sunshine their privilege, their childhood virtually merges. into old age. It is increasingly réalised that the twin evils of feudalism and foreign contro! be eliminated before the right to’a proper life can be guaranteed. The organisation I have the honour to represent decided last year to. conce: almost entirely on the work for peace. Every possible attempt has been may authorities to discourage the work of the women’s peace organisation. ‘The facilities have been denied to our delegates; women in government service have forbidden to join the organisation; and even the wives of government serva university: professors. have been forced to give. up membership under the thri their husbands’ dismissal. However we feel confident even though the path be: is long and difficult.: Paid agents of the slave dealers, and traffickers in. women, tell ‘us that the desert of our present-day life is the natural state for our sex. They tell us thi oasis of liberty. and happiness we ‘see in the north and northeast of Pakistan mirage, but guided by a certainty born of knowledge, the women of Pakistan ‘Ww: give up their efforts until we too can create a garden’in our own and every where today life is not allowed to grow and flower. In conclusion, ‘I would like to mention, that the women of Pakistan share with Indian sisters a special responsibility towards each other, Not long ago, the rive: flow, between India and Pakistan were red with the blood of innocent men, wi and children, These life-giving streams then became symbols of cruel. death. It especially be the joint effort.of women in Pakistan and India to ensure that this not happen again, The grim spectre of Indo-Pakistan conflict, conjured up by fore’ machinations, must be exorcised, for without a just settlement of Indo-Pal disputes, without co-operation and mutual friendship, neither country can pr and neither can. be safe from foreign influence. On the wider canvas; Pakistan faces the danger of being embroiled in’ the wes’ powers’ plans for, world’ war III, Of late American Admirals: and Generals hay developed a fondness for the “beauty” of ‘the rocky, barren, and: waterless. v. known as the Khyber Pass, which lies athwart the borders of China and the Union, There is talk of food gifts and loans, and simultaneously. of ‘bases and. power supplies: in the drive to make “Asians fight Asians”, and there is. tall Pakistan’s participation in the Middle East Defence organisation—an organisati a tended to make the pecple of the Middle East defenceless against the foreign rn and their local agents. The women of Pakistan will resist any attempt to use Pakistan as\a power warmongers‘ game, like all women all over the world, 208 === [PDF page 210] === iceland, India. WAND — Mrs, Maria Thornaleindsttir — Icelandic Yemen's Union: for Cullare and Fence.: V ethave seven delegites here frony three associations, and Tam. speaking: on behulf Che UNION OF IGELANDIC WOMEN FOR CULTUR: AND PEACE,: ‘Although we Teclariders are ‘ew, poor, and powerless, living in ‘the ‘far off North, vechave: always ‘belonged ‘to the peace-loving peoples. It has always ‘been our pride ‘to Wein peace. with every: nation, néf.1o0 slay our beethren: During the Creat War of inetéen-fourteen: (0 cighteen we proclaimed our neutrality ‘forever, and the generation: eo pedched ‘y of discretion in the early part: of ‘this ceritury, was -brought ‘up ‘to etiove that wars are tHe: Thost cruel kind: of barbarism ‘i existence. Rowever the ond: Grent War brought its horrors ‘te. cur own dior, In: the spring Y nincteen-forty ‘we: were occupled, first by. ‘the: English, later by the Americans. We ad hoyied thal, dhey would teave ‘us: after: the war, bui if went quite ihe other way Out The. United States wanied to build an‘ aerddronie tn our country, and use.it for Indefinite ‘time, and the: request varried by: thirly-two: oul of fifty-two mem-, Ps OE dhe Icelandic. Alping: (Parliament) STE cies stop the: Marshal? nict: We Jcelanders, who were ‘better off than: ever Kelore. vere nade. io acecpt Marshall moricy, with the. rekult that ‘the: United States Miaitied an intluence upon our financial: offairs.: Next came ‘the Atlantic Agreement. Me the THIPHOly: Of Marat 1949 ihe Icelandic. nation entered: a -roiitary Hiandeé, and is: In ospite: of. a considerable resistunce on: bebalf of ihe people. y 195i: the (American troops arrived iit lecand, and ‘sines then an an sumy has ‘been Mioned: in the country. The prescnee: af ‘these soldi adually- opened‘ the eyes -of he population; and when: two of them ters: in. -the: aur Yedr’s speedies. taucied onthe necessity of an Iccliadi¢ -aimhy, Lhere: was -stidli: a cstovm. of protest that, the Sisters found It wise to “withdraw > their: proposal:: There: was: no question. -of Sablishing. an avmy, they said... But Yhen ‘there isto: be an: ciection this: summer, Sad tHe militavisation plans would make ad favourable innpression -upon.the votes, WSeems, th: # trengtheried Be pcaple’s love: of /peave: A | movement ng citsel! THE UNION: RISATION: OF ‘THE NATION: It ‘held a-mecting: from the: fith.to sing. meethig-(nat was. attended by fitiy-tyvo soi, 2Slotcof: private s,. So; Sin. Spite of call. i r & Satidic mation: t ne $ belai abe WwHa B09, === [PDF page 211] === JAPAN — Mrs. Ryu OYAMA — Federation of Japanese Women’s. Organi: Wren Larrived in Copenhagen.J was given many, messages and reports Which been sent through the Japanese Federation of Women’s Organisations. The messages and reports directed to. this ‘World Congress of ‘Women \by a grea! organisations affiliated to the Japanese Federation of Women‘s Organisations as Labour Unions in different industries, Unions of Employees in banks or con cial firms, office workers or Teachers’ Unions, institutes of research in social or sciences, associations of small or medium commercial or industrial enterprigs, others. They had held a series of conferences, either separately or jointly, at whi united’to send. messages and reports to this World Congress of ‘Women, Recalling the great.disaster brought upon Japan. by those exploding atom Japanese women united in defence of peace are firmly’ determined to make which was’ the. first victim of atomic bombs, at the same time the last ‘victim, more Hiroshima, ‘no, more Nagasaki,” they cry at the top of their voices. Furt! their memory the devastating power of atomic bombs has come to be combini the, later use of even more hateful bacteriological bombs on the Korean fro: claim to be counted among the most. enthusiastic supporters in the wor! Proposition to prohibit not only. atomic bombs ‘but all kinds of weapons extermination,. Furthermore, the problem of rearmament of Japan, raised by the Peace one-sidedly imposed upon Japan at the San Francisco Conference. in the aut 1950, is causing great uneasiness among Japanese women as well:As among Jap: men. The rearmament plan formulated by the Japanese government at the ins' of the American! government has already been set in motion in. the way of bi into\existence the so-called “peace corps” now consisting of 120,000 men. The plan ‘has in view to increase the troops to. about 300,000 in the course of five yt a total cost of 3 to 5, trillion yen in Japanese currency. It will, when completely through, cast a crushing burden upon the shoulders of the Japanese people, T! of the possibility of the enactment of a conscription law. in connection wi rearmament ‘plan ‘has been greatly disturbing the peace of mind of young s! and, labourers, who have already risen up in a strong anti-conscription campaign. By far the most serious sort of problem is. the establishment of ‘American war. allover Japan, their total number now believed to be over’ 700. From. these American war planes have been constantly carrying bombs for killing our fl or brothers and sisters. We Japanese people are now firmly determined not to fig! it’ Asian neighbours any more, but to stand with them in friendly relations of assistance, From the standpoint of Japanese women especially, the greatest atte must be paid to the fact that the existence of those American war bases. eausing profound moral as well as physical degradation of a huge number of Ji men and women, ycung and: old. “Every day; the dignity of Japanese womanhood: being; brutally trodden underfoot by American soldiers. It is moreover | reaso feared that the wider prevalence of social or sexual diseases arising from this may in the.long run. have a fundamentally ruinous effect. upon the physique Japanese people as a whole.: The long continuance of the occupation of Japan by American troops has produ a host of children of mixed blood, now said to be numbering about 300,000. Nes JAPAN — Mrs. Toshiko AKUMATSU — Painter, Preparatory Comimitice for World Congress of Women. Iam happy to be. able to tell you that all progressive Japanese wom« enthusiastically standing together behind this Congress. aa T aman artist. When the city of Hiroshima was destroyed, I went there im diately and made sketches of the scenes of devastation, What sad‘and terrible Were. opened before my eyes! Then and there, I determined to devote myself 1 work, of peace in commemoration of the victims of the atomic ‘bomb attack. Were, moreover, an immeasureably great number of other sufferers, seriously wi or otherwise injured. aaa 210 === [PDF page 212] === “pours pry Inores but lorsiaad:? a them: in: striendly “xelas [Unreadable] Ry: Ovens): Tb: OSA bNsh: oniititary Dascs SS OHOW SAOES. HBr: BOG! TAS aS © pany: the: SAmeticdh: ATTY, SORABCRS. the dha: of: the: peasehis:: aid:: Dhak): dozers:obpepare: The! Brou: Waihi ing the tiled. ground and:: : € 2 CEODS:, 2 === [PDF page 213] === Increasingly withheld. Thi organising an Victirns of Na: for: which’ our: ma agnificent Cong f national independence: and fr === [PDF page 214] === NION ISLAND — Mrs. Josephine VERGES — Wemen’s Union. he women of Reunion Island have asked me to greet this great Congress where the first. time they sharé the joy of being represented. The social structure of Reunion’ is simple. There are. on the one ‘side the “fifteen ilies’ having links with the banks, the building enterprises, industries, agriculture, ministration; and on the other hand the enormous mass of workers. hen the former colonies. of the Antilles and Reunion Island became a French seas province according to the law of 19th “March 1946, a great wave of hope the country. when they quite rightly strove, to rid themselves of the colonial which ‘had oppressed them up till then. In fact, during one year from 1946 to we saw the inauguration of the medical treatment, social security, labour ulations, factory committees and a trade union movement extending to all fields work, industrial and agricultural. infortunately all this progress was. brought to a halt by the return to power of the ionaries in France. Thus last year the General Council, fraudulently elected st the will of the people, voted a cut of 20 million in the grant’ intended for free al assistance, witha promise of cutting 50,000,000 more in the course. of 1953. ermore, the same General Council in January 1953 voted that 10% of the cost all’ medical treatment or prescriptions should thereafter be payable. The infant tality rate’shot up at once (4,000 children died within the next 4 months). “As for social security which is limited to old-age pensions and some ridiculously family allowances—the service has in hand almost 2 thousand million francs hich it guards jealously, while the children, the chronically ill, and the disease ‘ ere are. no eibches or kindergartens. It goes without saying that: children. coned to irregular schooling.must of necessity be backward in their studies; and ihe few children who; by determined efforts, succeed “in ‘gaining. their ‘icates, there is nothing but an end to their schooling at the age of 14, It is casy 0 understand how illiteracy is fostered by such conditions (25.%o of the population illiterate), quite apart from the cynical exploitation of child-labour by grasping ry-owners: who have an interest in the perpetuation of the supply of cheap d what of women’s work? In the towns, the domestic servants—who are usually employed when unmarried—get an average of 3,000 francs a month plus. board lodging, ot an average of 6,000 francs without board. In the country it is still A- specific example of this is the case of Marguerite Naguin of, Mencial,.a agricultural worker in the “Colonial Sugar Company” who earns 240 frances a he ‘starts work ‘at’6 o'clock in the morning. and finishes at 5 p.m., having a of one hour for lunch, Under the supervision of a “chief” armed with a whip, labours havd ‘and per 100 sugar rods (over 500m) she is paid 100 francs. For ours’ hard work in the heat of the sun, she) more frequently earns 140. francs ad of the due amount of 240 francs. Of this, 10 francs are withheld for the social ices from which, however, she receives no_ benefit. @ mothers of Reunion Isand are severely oppressed by colonialism. ey have always been in the forefront of the struggle and at the moment while Congress is taking place an important strike against social ‘discrimination is in ress among. public employees.»The women are actively supporting this action. @ women, who are constantly joining the ranks of the Union of Women, recently cted 250,000 signatures (there are 300,000 inhabitants) for Peace and against the cost of living..The women of Reunion. demand that the. French Government 213 === [PDF page 215] === ~XYUGOSLAVIA — Mrs. Vera: LUITCH — Teacher. Te present rulers of Yugoslavia have sold the interests of our peoples an our country an American colony. i 70°%o of the more than 500,000: unemployed people are women. In the factories, and, on building sites, women are compelled: to work under ordinarily difficult conditions without any protection on the job, and many workers fall ill. According to the report.of the 5th Women’s Conference most of the women workers in the factory “Lim” have tuberculosis as a working jin such difficult conditions. Expectant. mothers are. dismissed in thi months of. pregnancy. 4 In March alone this. year the prices for the. basic foods have increased 100 %/o.. The wages of the: workers and of most employees is much lower. minimum. of existence. demands..Even the Tito press had’ to admit that small country. as Yugoslavia’ 100,000 people per year die of tuberculo Especially high is infant.mortality, In Serbia’ for example 35 °/o. of the dea': children.'In some regions of Bosnia up. to 50 %o of the children die because there no maternity. homes, health centres, or medical attention. Mothers and childre left without attention. In the region of Sarajevo the mortality rate of nursing and.of new born babies increases. steadily. Even according to statements of th press every fourth new-born baby in Yugoslavia dies. In some regions of Mai Vojevodina, Bosnia and Herzegowina, 80% of the newly-born. babies die. The government, of Yugoslavia is not paying any attention to the develop: culture and ‘education, More. and more money is being spent on remilitarisat on war preparation, During this. present year, 78,6°/o of the state budget is being on war preparations. The budget for education and culture is only 0,5°%o of th state budget. According’ to’ official figures of the Tito ‘press, there are as illiterates in Yugoslavia. which ‘means nearly every 5th inhabitant ‘cannot rea write, ‘ The cinemas of Yugoslavia ‘are showing mainly American films, in which gan; adventures and immorality are glamorised. All this is a very bad influence on slavian youth and is one of the causes of the rising juvenilé delinquency. The Yugoslavian ‘women ‘are fighting for peace and théir rights under the di conditions of a fascist regime. Many thousands of women patriots of our country been thrown into prison and concentration camps simply because they love fi c and therefore fought against war preparations, for peace and a happy future their children. But ‘neither prison nor persecution can break the will of thi slayian women, They strongly believe that their fight for the rights of the for peace and for the happiness of, their children, will be victorious because of peace-loving women—you, our dear sisters from all countries, are with:us. 214 === [PDF page 216] === [Photograph: two photographs of an exhibition of embroidered textiles and handicrafts; caption line beneath not legible] === [PDF page 217] === -HOLLAND. — Mrs. Greet Van der PAVERD.— Trade Unionist. I am ‘speaking to you as a working woman: I am a member of the United 7; Union. Centre, ‘ Our country is one of those nations where women have the right. to vote and to elected and possess. a number of other rights, A large number of those rights ex only on paper. Take for instance the number of women in public bodies: 232, tha: 2°7/o of all representatives on the local councils; 29 in the provincial councils; 8, 8%o, of the representatives’ in the Second Chamber; and 2 women, or 40/, Parliament. ‘Under the marriage law women are put on the same footing as minors. The has the right, to determine where the family. should live, where the ‘children sh be educated ete, The wife and children must accept the nationality of the hus! and father, Married women are not allowed to work in: the civil service. The o exceptions are work in hospitals, schools and the cleaning of public buildings. Hi ever, a teacher who. marries loses her Permanent position and if she wishes continue her work she can only do so as a temporary, which means that her classe: are continually changing. There is strong opposition to women taking up work, yet on the.other hand, i: precisely the women who obtain the work because of the difference in the wa paid. Statistics show that the textile manufacturers made an extra profit of 17 mi guilders in 1952 because so many women are employed receiving far lower wage than men. In cases where both man and wife receive wages, income tax is deduc from both incomes, The salary of the man and wife are added together at the € of the year and the total is regarded as the income of the man. In this way they; classified in a higher income tax group and a differential payment has to be ma HOLLAND — Mrs, Geerlje BLOKKER — Union of Dutch.Women. 1800 people lost their lives when our country was flooded on February 1st 1953. Our Government endeavours to describe this disaster as a natural catastrophe agains: which nothing can be done. As a matter of fact, however, they had been warned by. civil engineers ‘a long time before that the dykes were too lo » But the Governme’ needed the money for other Purposes and therefore the necessary precautions we: not ‘taken. Great discontent’ exists also on the question of compensation. Only 22 of those who had ‘stffered in Zeeland province are: up to now in receipt of a the Government brought English, French, Italian and even German soldiers into oO country. in order to make propaganda for the European Defence Community. The disaster occurred on the very day on which our women’s organisation convened its national Congress. Immediately our. women offered their servi People’s Relief Committees were formed and the women took a very active par them. Three groups of children, victims of the floods, were sent away by thes committees to recuperate: One group “was sent to a place in Holland, the other: were invited by the French trade unions. For this we. want.to thank our friends from, France: from the depth of our hearts. On the very next. day, following. the disas the Minister of War told Parliament that the war budget would remain unchange The consequences of this war policy are. being felt in other respects. Our ‘country is one. of the. ‘few where the parents are required to pay for thi ~compulsory elementary education of: their children. The Dutch women’s moveme! organises campaigns against this. while stressing the fact that the government prefer 216 === [PDF page 218] === ons thovernent: is: also campai ng against the propazanda. iadueted ieee 1g for Military servicoIn this matter: they are: very much supported by the | § ahd now the: most ‘important ‘teachers TEASE has expressed its. very rotest against military: services: ir the second World War, the Duich government organised: two SO dalled epotiee is which: were in: fact colonial wars: against ‘the Indonesian péaple,: The Dutch protested: strongly. against {he sending of troops ‘to Indonesia. Many of our-best ere sentenced to long terms of imprisonment: for this geason: | For instance,: he bes fighter for ves Calise ‘of peace: with the Indonesian pee ‘important: tasks: lo fight against: this war and s In ABBE Me é Sunite-Heyligers took ‘part ‘in ae === [PDF page 219] === GUATEMALA — Mrs. Dora FRANCO — General Secretary of the Women’sA) of. Guatemala, Cyuisshits, a central American country with 3 million inhabitants, with feudal regime and a dependent economy, enjoys comparative. democracy as of the.anti-feudal and progressive revolution: of October 20th 1944. Among. others, the right of women to vote has. been: acknowledged, though in limited way, because it is only the women who can read and write who enjoy es the, civil field, women can marry and divorce and unmarried couples living tog are legally recognised. That is, after 3 years, the wife and children have the. rights before law as if the marriage were legal. In the economic.and ‘social fields, we have social insurance fe women wi The Labour Code of February 17th’ 1947 has brought big improvements. conditions. of the workers: it guarantees payment for the 7th’ day of the week, festival days and holidays and 48 hours’ pay for 45 hours’ work. It regulates < miners’ work; it provides compulsory health measures at work though they often respected; it fixes the minimum wage rate at 0.80 quetzal in the countrys; 1,25 quetzal in the towns. We know that if this minimum rate is guaranteed, alleviate the very. precarious. living conditions of our people. The principle of pay for equal work” included in the Code is not applied everywhere, due - manoeuvres of the employers. The application of land reform obliges us to help the: peasant women beni by these measures. 986 Land Committees and ‘21 regional Land Committees have created. More than 3,900 peasants take part in the local land committees. The of 35 national estates.and 39 private estates has. been given to the peasants has been decided to expropriate 83,929. hectares of the most fertile lands belo to American companies, The government has taken into account the people’s feelings and has state position at the meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs in’ Washington: “Guat will not recruit a single man for Korea or for. any other war; it will not gi cent, for armaments expenditure, because the people and government of Guate: need all the human’ forces and economic resources. of the country to oe economic and social development” The women take an active part’in the struggle for peace'.and we point out to wo: the importance of fighting for national independence. For instance, although we ha\ coasts. on’ two oceans, Guatemala cannot have free trade, because we have not our own commercial harbours. The existing ones belong to American companies, oT import and export products we have to pay. tremendous duties in the harbours, for transporting goods to the ‘capital. We actively support the struggles of all workers. We take part in demonstra in’ support of land reform, in the struggle against. foreign. interference, Ahn mectings, processions etc. I want to mention the present importance of land reform in my cauneye Wi have warmly welcomed this reform. Recently, in'an assembly held in a rural are heard simple women express their support for land reform and at the same time firm will for peace and their understanding of the struggle for national independ We understood that we were'-witnessing the awakening of peasant women country and their incorporation. into political life. In our daily work we have met with sympathy, gratitude and confidence. tow: our organisation, The trade unions consistently ask. for our cooperation and wi from: different -walks of life come to us. We must struggle for the applicatio! women’s rights, for equality with men before law, for recognition of ‘women's Tig! with regard to land reform (and we have before us the wonderful example of People’ China) so that the peasant women become more and more conscious. 218 === [PDF page 220] === NH the same one ‘faust ‘nol War, and wars not. only: making a sacrifice: aft dation; for: eae as Sweden: has: offic ally (p dar opinion aoe pe 6 roel: i; we have a strong case for acting against war our duty. AU: who: work: for peace iniow that x the voice of: the people: can: creale pence Att Sweden, whi k ne to this we Haver diy: been able ceadually io Win ‘aspor a Le infant monly ates: in ee AOL gains. Hreatens: our is) some. years becnh: causing: a los ing-np ‘of: certain alue: of th forms: which === [PDF page 221] === School canteens are indispensable if the health of the children is to be maintained especially for families where the mother is working. Our organisation headed. the demonstrations held throughout the couniry to defend the school canteens, By meetings, delegations to members of Parliament, and so on, we have mobilised th, mothers for the fight to resist this attack against an important social service.; Another danger for our children and our youth has become extremely acute thes last few years, This is the systematic process of moral corruption to which young people are exposed; bad literature, cheap illustrated magazines, and bad films.’ All: this propaganda—the majority of which is of American origin—has a destructiy moral influence which brutalises the young people. American “crime stories” are circulated in our country in 40 million or so copies per annum, In addition to tha there are the gangster stories, the detective novels, which are the favourite reading of youngsters. For many children it is the only literature they know. The teachers and. their journals have pointed out the bad influence of this literature on school discipline %, and on the children’s capacity to learn. Recently various incidents have roused the». conscience of large sections of people who want an end to the ravages caused by” these pernicious publications. A young boy has committed murder under the influence’ of this corrupt literature. It has happened that children have been wounded and even. killed as a result of the games suggested by these notorious “comics”. It is useless to. have psychiatric clinics which can correct such criminal tendencies, so long as. the publication of material glorifying brutality and violence is permitted: Our organisation has started to combat bad films and pernicious literature. Larg mother’s gatherings have been organised to discuss these problems. We try to contac! film producers from our country and others in order to be able to offer the youth better films. Many organisations and individuals have started the struggle against’ this kind of literature. The Women’s League for Peace and Freedom, the Association of Swedish women-peasants, parents associations, Peace Committees, people’s: organisations und press, teachers and doctors. One of our biggest tasks in Sweden jis. to develop. this movement by creating committees all over the country, and to make): our National Committee for the Defence of Children an efficient organisation, a standard-bearer of all progressive forces who want to contribute to this important’’ work.. y 39 Swedish delegates and 358 guests had come to Copenhagen by coach; they brought to the Congress messages signed by more than 10,000 women. Here is part of their delegation. 220 === [PDF page 222] === DURAS—Mrs, Helena Leiva de HOLST—Teacher ving conditions of my people are similar to those of other countries dependent ie American economy. Life ‘may even be more tragic in our country than in fs, as I doubt that there is another government as submissive to the American ts ag our dictatorial government cwhich has been kept in power by the United t Co, since 1932: T must stress that in the statistics of world armament Honduras rs as the most heavily armed country of the world in relation to its size. An ican air base has been established in Honduras. The national army is organised th the assistaiice of American officers who also assist the Ministry of War. duras has offered to send soldiers to Korea. The newpaper “Revolutionary guard was banned by the government because it protested against. this offer, ishing the slogan “Not.a single Honduran soldier for Korea” in its front page. As sult, the director and the editor of this newspaper were arrested and exiled, Honduras ‘has a population of 1,500,000 inhabitants, most of them: of mixed: blood, ans and Negroes, The United Fruit Co. owns one third of the most fertile land of country and it acquires new concessions every day. In addition to monopolizing ‘panana business and the general trade of all kinds of goods which have no fion at all with fruit, it cuts down the woods and usés the water of the largest rs to irrigate its. estates, leaving ‘the native peasants without water. Under the © of “Rosario Mining Company” it has exploited our gold and silver>mines for last 50 years. It has'a Jease on the national railways and the. ports. fe have no labour law, no social insurance. We have no right to constitute trade ns or other organisations, we have no right to' strike, and there are no collective tracts) The land is. owned by the monopolists and feudal landlords who miserably loit, the peasants, The agricultural worker receives a maximum wage of 1,25 pesos ay, which. is barely enough to buy some. rice and beans. the working woman in gerieral is brutally exploited, particularly because she is a an; Her: wages are only 50 oof those paid to men, although her working hours “unlimited and she must work. under unhealthy conditions. She receives no stance. by the state,in case of childbirth and there are not even maternaty sultations. Peasant women and agricultural workers have their children by the side. ‘There she bathes the child, takes a ath herself, and continues her work. Children in general lack an adequate cultural education..The democrati¢ teachers discharged, in order to give their places to those supporting the government. children hardly ever finish primary education. They must work froma very. age. ‘In the country. the. schools close in harvesting. time ‘because ‘all school i work, for the big landlords together with their parents. It is not surprising that illiteracy is as high as 65 %/o. \ der this atmosphere of exploitation and backwardness créated.by. imperialism ifs allies, the national reactionaries, the broad sections of the people are keenly of the democratic life and the social achievements of other. countries. re Democratic Revolutionary Party of Honduras, which I represent here, unites bers of the working class, middle class and national bourgeoisie in the struggle ce, Social justice and liberty. It is the, first party in the history of our country recognises equal rights for women: he demands of the democratic womien of Honduras are the following: - Individual and.social guarantees, without discrimination because of sex, class or @, to enjoy all political and social rights granted by democracy.. Guarantees for men and women'to work under equal conditions according to the ciple “equal pay for equal work”, the right. to organise in-trade unions; right. to ion and housing; effective protection for women and children. We demand a complete labour legislation—labour law, social insurance, right. to. collective contracts, maternity insurance etc. ‘ We fight for national sovereignty and. independence, and for self-determination of eoples. We oppose all interference by a-foreign country in the internal affairs Lother country. 221 === [PDF page 223] === ECUADOR — Mrs. Alba CALDERON — Painter, Preparatory Committe World Congress of Women. Orn country: is rich in natural resources, but the economic problem takes on alarming proportions that even the Commission of the United Nations on Econo Questions: for Latin. America describes Ecuador as. the most backward coun: South America, ee Out of a population of three and a half million, the Indians constitute half. ‘Thi. part of the population is living almost on the edge of civilisation, and is sufferin, most intensely the consequences of the conditions which characterise an absoly backwardness of. industry and agriculture. The conditions of misery have been great) aggravated by. the complicity of the national governments who. have subscribed treaties like the military pact.: By this treaty Ecuador is forced to send its men to Korea, hand over military bas throughout the country, agriculture is subjected. to the needs of the North Ameri intensifying the problem of onee-crop agriculture. We will. be given armament: only if we use them as they direct.: a The various: companies like the United Fruit Co, and the “Frutera Sudamikane) have restricted our country to one-crop agriculture. These companies rob the peasa: of their land and crops and even burn their houses, kill the peasants or turn the: over to. the police. ok Generally women, are paid less than men, The bosses, by illegal measures, dis men workers and put young women in their place, who are hired under short term contracts and only for part-time work. In recent years the percentage of tuberculo sufferers. has considerably increased: The Indian women do: the» most arduous ‘work in the country due to the ver primitive methods. of work which are still used in our agriculture and suffer ill tre: ie ment from the employers, They work with their husbands and: children in the fields. without pay. In the countryside the practice of “le droit de seigneur” (the right to the first night) is. generally exercised. au Our basic. food is rice but as a result of government transactions we were left ~ without reserves for internal consumption and now we are forced to:import rice at” higher prices, sometimes as much as 6 times its original. price.? The women in-publie service have no perspective of advancement, In ‘this connec. tion we should mention. the teachers, particularly in the villages, who receive star tion wages and have to carry out their work in accordance with the wishes of # landowners, and must even satisfy their sexual, demands if they don’t. want to ose: their jobs.; A \very small percentage of women enjoy primary education'as the great majority of them must work from a very early age. More than half of the women in Ecuador are illiterate. Official figures show that out of.725,695 children of school age,’ 341,739. attend school. j In the cities near the coast many children are utilised to sell marihuana ‘cigarette: The. women of Ecuador have’ realised that they must strugge for their rights. The working women, together with men, took part sin strikes for better conditions, for increases in wages and equality in wages, to do away. with short time contracts and: the. limiting of working hours,; My presence in this. Congress is due to the mobilisation. of large sections of wot from various levels of society, who overcame the difficulties which the authoriti placed in their path in order to prevent us from taking to. our country the lessons Ww! We came to seek. We salute the achievements of the women of the USSR and Ct whose efforts and contributions led to their triumph together with their people. want. to follow the heroic examples of the women of Korea; Malaya and Viet Nam } are fighting together with their people, against oppression and colonialist enslavement We salute the silent daily toil of the women of the world whose experience will servi the future of my country and the greatest cause that contemporary history knows. the cause of life and peace. 3 ‘ 222 === [PDF page 224] === RS edd, Gf the Tndotesian de: : BONS SINGLE neck YOO.00R IMPITDArs are Ae. 88G wey JNDONTSIA—Mis,. SUMA MPOUW-LAPION—Presideat of dhe Women’s: Hoion of Minahassa Daun the 850-years of Dutch oppr cession, the esndiiions of the wo sen of Indencsia aero: Very: batt. They bad. no rights at-all, There was: no protectian for mothers MWHes: ve birth to children, and many of them: gave. ‘birth to ten or more, Jn wiost: cases: | only:four.or tive of. these ‘children: lived: In matridge women were “not. treated as unan beings. Marriaga was decided by the parents:and Une meen. Diveree deparidld ‘nthe: hushadds. The: wives: had no vight do refusc: or make ‘any decisions. ‘Such S position still exists: for 8 ty. oF Indonesian Awomes. i. Pix. situation.becarne worse and. worse diairig: the. Japanese: railitary oceupatiod. The finest: sons and -daught of Indonesia were: killed »when-ihey Sou: Niduider. against the. milit regime: Prostitution; poverty and miisery: were ‘the lot Meshell wamen And of the people. The women: MGLE never toriet these atcoctt On bar: hot August. 143: the tndoriégian people. revolted: against the: Jgpancse power, arid Bedclaimed the: independence of: Indonesia. As: a restilt af: thi people’s siragele, the bHSii Wutioh of the Republic of Jadonesia protects the right-of: citizens, and: guaruptecs dual ight¢ Tet men and: women. Phese-cqual rights bdliween ynen ‘and. wornen cannot.be realised, however, because ithe -apreement. between: the Indonesian Goverment and: ihe: Dutch: gov aynment. he Round ‘Table Conterence “Agreement - of 1949. binds ‘the: Indonesian: people - ih Hical “economic, and: faancial spheres. By this agreement ‘ihe ‘Lidohesian: Govern: At js-pariicipating in ‘preparations for: a new: wer, with, for iasiaiice, the ratification. dhe Sad Francisco Agreement, Mutual Security. Act, ‘Technical Cooperation Act ‘and he embargo agninst the People’s Republic ‘of China. Phe women whe work in the. factories, plantations, and othe? ‘places of work;: are rbatcneéd with unemployment, which, is: incr ng duy by cay” bv Indonesia: Accor {othe Statistics of the Minisity: of: Labour May °1982, there - are 5. amidions: un loved ‘and | abelt 10) milons ‘wha:are onty: employed: part ‘time. “Many national THPlges Have been forced 10. close down, pecalise they - cari) compete with imparted especially textiles, 75 %e of the textile “indlustvies: in Indonesia ave: closed: down, $6 85 of these Workers arc women: They are the-first victims of dismissal,: === [PDF page 225] === The | nudes: Gf - eniployeds: aoa: “is: O-rnilliens. and “86 Ua nt these: ace ee The basic owages -of women workers! in | cigaretia, ‘match, papee, -h Tey pid eae factories, are: iess than: 5 Indonesian -gilderm.-a day. In ‘plantations: TIAN eR are Rp: d-a- day i allowanees. for wife and ‘children: are snot piven af cali: Phe minh a eosti of Living: of a: worker amaunis: tv (Bp. 11.52" a day.:: snare According -to: the: Provisional Constitution; there 4s) aqua pay! for equal: Avon be ia realitiy, in the. plantations: ter instance, Jhough there cxisis a work-agroeman’ het. ween ithe workers! and: employers, the wonien ‘workers: arly have’ the ppporhinity a4 work nf lower wages. Higher payments are: avoided: ‘because it would “inear a: deurcaye of: dividends for whe: oinptovers. Tn the ‘cigarette ‘and textile factories. wontien svOrkears get oniy: 80's of the. men's: wages, although they: gré doing the: same work: Woes day workers are nol generaby considered as breadwinners; -thercfore: they de nat hae the: Might: to) réttive “allowances for their family, According ‘to.Goxerintidar: rea dations, during pregnancy won: warkers: have ‘the! rights fake 4 leave od one achall:months: before, ond one and.a half months after: thoy ‘have: given: ‘birth; full payment, ‘These regulations are not. carried ait: by the employers:: Af harvest ‘Gime. (twice: e-year) the women: peasants: pet: wages: on ‘an AMET BE GE Rp. 12a day, They have no social insurance. The: women! poasants who give bir ie under, io get: same money for: fnad, taixe up their had work again after 4 dn § days. toiling ‘and ‘carrying ‘heavy: things. 25 %e of the babies: dia: g 20-9: of ‘the: Werkers ‘die 6f tuberculosis, 40s die: from’ chromic malaria: the stat budget: for 1053: alloratés 3.5 %e for healih, 1,2, ‘or social ‘services, dnd | 30M for military: purposes. “i We are confident that our fight to win these vital necessities ‘is closely. linked swith the fight for: peace ard: national independence, because ‘it isa: fact: that: in: various countries war preparations bring about poverty and unemployment. High ‘budgets for: military, expenditure takes away health and education for children: re In- the sttugule gainst war preparations the women ‘of Indonesia ‘made‘a’ Praag cope: tribution. hy: callecting signatures for a Peace Pact between the 8 Great: Powers aod by fighting for: peace. ‘They ‘also fight against the remilitarisation (of dupan ‘Witch barlicularjy threaicns the ‘Asian people “There Is a. Shovtage of schools. According isties oF: thé Ministry «at: kauce: tien, vi -Sehool “year 1952/53 showed tpt the vamber: HORE dren attending: skhpol amounted “£6: 5 318 Be contain. BU? ebiidren: The aiiaber: schools” in: the 8000. atid: we: ishapld Rave 40-000, Thee 28s Incportant «thin: indonesia 1s: ihe acd of. bpeche These: are: ‘onty. 80 008 tes: cherg! wile? tf mieeery tsi Mod, are “inalie: fal Bie? iad Sehook, namMber | of steals showld:: 2 he E00. At present ishers sare AAW OO? L8adh Shes 100: fest: GMs! Sar ouWw-DA pian) === [PDF page 226] === 1A—Contribution presented by Mrs. Layla KABLIL of Lebanon he Syrian delegates have been prevented from coming to the Conference owing to | e dictatorship rule in Syria. Therefore I was asked to give this report in their name. The workers, peasants and mothers live under very hard conditions with their ildren, Hundreds of women textile workers work on handlooms in the dark under- ‘ound rooms at Homs. All wages are very low and a woman’s wage is much less than man’s. There is no compensation and no social security. The peasant woman often “works with her child on her back, Many women do the ploughing themselves, often 13 hours a day. Those picking olives take 10% of what they pick, making the erage amount of 75 to 150 ps. a day. ages there is ‘ioe one doctor. Any sickness or difficulty in birth wight cause the ath of the mother. ive as groups in one room and the majority live with their animals in this one single oom. It has no windows but one door for the light, as windows cost extra for wood ‘and glass. The average children’s death rate reaches as high as 40°/, before the age of 5. For every 9 Alawite villages, there is one elementary school, and the average attendance is not more than one sixth. The government sends only the teacher. Cost at equipment, place and books are paid for by the pupils. The increasing misery and hunger that often cause the death of children force the | parents to sell their children. The right to vote and to be elected is given only to the women with elementary ‘School certificates. The percentage of the educated does not exceed 10 °/o in the peasant Tobacco manufacturing, electric power, banks, oil, are all in the hands of foreign mpanies. The dictatorship has dissolved Parliament’ and promulgated decrees. It ssolved all parties, all democratic Grganteations,; including our organisation for the fefence of maternity and children. During the recent visit of Foster Dulles, the American Secretary of State, to “the Middle East, hundreds were arrested from the streets and work, 80% of the azira homes were searched and when the person wanted was not found, members f his family, women and children, were taken to prison and made to suffer. : The imperialists did not succeed in the execution of the Middle East Defence Plan. They did not dare to force the Point Four project which gives the imperialists more wer and control over the country, under the pretence of help. They were not able 0 execute the Arab-Turkish Federal Pact, already signed by the Israeli Government. The Middle East Plan, with the efforts made to impose it on our people, is a part of he Atlantic military aggressive plan. The cold war and the wars in Korea and Vietm, Malaya and Kenya, the attacks on the peoples of Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria have a great effect on the political, economic and social conditions of our ‘country, Therefore we struggle and demand that the people be given their freedom to decide their own affairs, an end to the wars in Korea, Viet-Nam, Malaya and Kenya ind the attacks on the people, for negotiations to take the place of wars, and the igning of a peace treaty between the five Great Powers. Ss 225 === [PDF page 227] === Mrs. Maddalena GRASSI—on behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions F emale workers are considered as a cheap labour reserve and are used as a means - of intensifying the exploitation of all workers and of impeding the improvement of the standard of living of the working masses. It is not by chance that the wages i the textile and clothing industries, where mainly women are employed, are on. th whole lower than in other branches of industry. Everywhere the women workers, even if they do not know the programme of: demands of the World Federation of Trade Unions, work for the realisation of it just’ the same. Since 1945, the W.F.T.U. has developed around the affiliated national centres, ‘ action concerning equal pay for equal work for men and women workers. All that ought to be done in the interest of women from the social point of view has been discussed particularly in the last conference for defence and extension of social security organised by the W.F.T.U.. To obtain the fundamental demands of the women, demands which are the. patrimony of the progressive traditions of the world, since the profound evolution of:, society has brought women to the heart of economic life, the W.F.T.U. has called on. all its organisations to fight with ever greater vigour to realise in the struggle the unity of all the workers round the workers’ demands, At the 5th Congress of. the W.F.T.U. which will take place in October, the problem of the struggle for the amelioration of life of men and women workers, for national independence and democratic liberties, and the defence of peace, will again be put with force. “The women agricultur: workers and peasants form) 2 thirds of Iraq wome The peasant woman works 18 hours a day in the fields Without wages because she is counted as her husband's: appendage. 2 thirds of th agricultural workers have: no land, but work for th landlord. The whole family, not less than 10, together with their stock in mud huts or tents: which in no way resemble. a home. They drink pollu; ted water. Many cannot} afford clothes; they only. eat meat once or twice a year, In times of famine, thé father is obliged to sell his: children to save them from hunger and the price of a girl-child drops 5 pounds.” (Mrs Fatima Ahmed) === [PDF page 228] === JCD. “soap. aa brick industries for vers lave. wages he daily work e ‘hours range in. 12.10 16 in spite of the Iraq ‘aw which limlis working hours to 8. In‘ spite of the that the food: of the VOX er is any, bread and ee her: HBEES are oo sutticient: “narrow, “old crests ‘and the absence ‘of a. proper sewage: system: oS asmit. he ee dangerous bacteria tothe weak exhausted bodies: of the women. 2 fpheles dyncntery intestinal worms. and alanis are ere “woman: textile worker :: ing. -the 4 years of her See “hecause che was 5 sf ng her: baby: during: working ts. The children af ‘the workin: a8 ri eries and kindergartens: === [PDF page 229] === _ qMliteracy is 95 So among women workers. They are conscious of their | but they, as well as the men workers, cannot form trade unions. ~ The agricultural woman worker has ‘no say in her marriage.and can, by her husband ‘saying just 3 words, after which she is thrown. on t having no right to her ‘house, or ‘even to her children whom she has Illiteracy among peasant women is 100 °/o, ‘There are women agricultural worke: do not know the names of the days of the week, their ages, nor. the ages o children. In the countryside there is one doctor for every 290,000: \sahabtiaiste Iraqui women have no right to vote or be elected; they @o not have thi organise themselves in defence’ of their rights, but they have struggled, a struggling ceaselessly, for the winning of their rights and their people’s rights, In 1948, when the British Government tried to force the Portsmouth Treai people of Iraq, the women went out-on the streets and joined the men intl fight and foreed the. non-ratification of the treaty: Last year the women: mania held tremendous demonstrations every day for a month against the their wheat, The families of the political prisoners are solidly behind the national independence. Hundreds of them demonstrated many times in the s Baghdad after which: they succeeded in entering the soverninent offices ne their protests, Last autumn some of the women tobacco workers shut’ themselves factory. for 4 days and won their demands. The: peasant women of the: joined with the peasants, in the revolts last year against: their landlords © themselves to the bullets of the police who came to‘protect the landlords. The women of Iraq decided that the Anglo-Ivaq Treaty of 1930, which Jega Sei presence of: British troops in several. military. barracks and aerodromes, ‘is to world peace and the national independence of Iraq: Therefore they struggle: fo abolition of this treaty and the abandoning of ithe project of the Middle - Dr. Adawyah Aduh, a leading peace fighter. has been ‘in jail for near! Dozens of. women political prisoners have received sentences from. 3 to 15 yea their friends, the men prisoners, and demanded the release of all political p; whose number now exceeds 600. ‘. In. Novernber 1952, the women of Iraq joined the men dehiondiia The Iraqui reactionary government, backed bythe British Government, martial law, dissolved all the parties and closed down most of the daily have jailed.hundreds of young men and women without even giving SpE Ay to defend themselves. In spite of this the women of Iraq will a fighting. i 208. === [PDF page 230] === OLAND—Mrs. Eugenie PRAGUIEROVA—Vice-President of the League of Polish Women he Polish People’s Republic is a country where full and real equality of rights of men is now a fact. When the government was taken over by the people, the priniple of full equality of women in all political, economic,’ social and cultural spheres ‘as introduced. These principles were laid down with emphasis in our new constituion of July 22nd 1952, Rightly this constitution is regarded by all Polish women as | the Magna Carta of women’s rights. The relevant paragraph in our constitution is worded clearly as follows: “The ‘oman in the Polish People’s Republic enjoys all rights in equality with men in all eres of public, economic, social and cultural life.” Today there are in our Parliament—the highest institution of Poland—76 women embers and 36 women deputy members. 15,000 women are members of the National ouncils, which are governing institutions in our country. 1,500 women occupy posiions as chairmen of these National Councils. There are 1.5 million women members m our trade unions; 2 million women are organised in the Polish Women’s League. The peasant women’s clubs have now more than half a million members. Thus we have successfully broken with all attitudes not suited to life, which tried y deprive women of the right and the ability to fill important positions. The utilisation of all political rights is strengthened in Poland by the fundamental ght to work, to pay, to study and to advancement. ‘May I, while speaking of the desire for peace which inspires my country, mention here the city most dear to the heart of every Polish woman or man — our beloved capital Warsaw. Battles and the devastating rule of the Nazi invaders razed this city to the ground entirely. To-day, in place of ruins and ashes new residential quarters, and imposing public buildings are ~being completed at a very rapid pace. Historic buildings and monuments of our national archiecture are being restored with every care to respect its traditions. (Mrs, Eugenie Praguierova) © 229 === [PDF page 231] === *My country does not know the disaster of unemployment. ‘Our rich: ¥ being used for. the welfare of. the people, The development of: our national economy makes it possible for eve capable of working and wishing to work, to find such employment as’ sui and_ her \ability. The principle ‘of equal pay for equal work is rigorously’ carr and has become an iron law in the daily life of our country. A special order has. issued by. which each undertaking and each institution is made responsible viding facilities for every woman, but particularly for those newly employed. professional training so that they may advance more quickly to higher posts increase their incomes.: No small part is taken by the People’s government in making it.possible to professional qualifications in institutions of higher education, There ‘are now. 1 students compared with 48,000 in 1938, 40 fo of the total are women. Thus it ¢ fully maintained that there can be’ no man or woman who must forego their sty because of financial reasons, ae Women workers, who in pre-war Poland, were employed: on the cheapest. un labour without any prospect: of advancement, are, in-our Poland of today, for administrators, financial and- technical leaders, even directors of big undertaki Peasant women, who in Poland before the war had to live in very difficult On: ditions, who were pushed aside and prevented from taking part in society, partic today in all activities—social and Political, in all levels, Before the war, a female teacher or public employee lost her’ positionon a woman with children found all doors closed, anda pregnant woman’ whi earn her own living was in a hopeless situation. At present my’ country does thing that is necessary for women to be, able to unite their professional: work: the main duty of a mother, the education of her children. Women workers in Poland receive a 12 wecks’ paid leave at the time of childbi When 6 months pregnant the woman has to be reduction of wages. For feeding the baby she has half an hour off twice: d gratis, including the baby’s layette, Special attention is paid to family life. A special clause in: the: constitution ¢ the observance of the principle: “Matrimony and family are protected by the Peo; Republic of Poland. Families with many children are specially cared for, IMegiti does not lessen the child's rights.” ¢ crease in the supply of things material. and cultural which serve man and make his life richer, brighter and happier. é In. my country the State budget is a budget. of peace, allocating 68 Yo. further development: of the national economy, while 24 °/o is set aside for the needs. of the broad masses’ of. the people, for the health and social services. In my country war Propaganda is banned, and so is ‘the spreading of hatre: other nations, warmongering or incitemeni to aggression against any” country, 230: === [PDF page 232] === : eeply convinced that there: are: no. cont aversial probler ension belween’ countries which could not ‘be se! d:through: direct negoeen the countries COneerney: The: forees policy of Sur: Government ery.; Polish “woman, “united Nvith: enillions of men and women, all « over. he world: ‘ mely. demands ‘the vonclusion of an. armistice 1: Polish people follow: with close attention the "development of events. in oe: “Despite “exisi ng international ‘agreements no: peace treaty. has been: Signe?: Germany so far, that is, no treaty enabling the Germi i democrati and peace-loving stale The rough by the Ronn Government, and th oe remilitari-. iy area grave threat to es pea, but he movement pposition te these plo’ ing strength. _: zlpse and deat to ow hearts at this: reoment are our gees: fication of: me Bonn and. a iy hg urider the. sky-blue. banners of the ke ‘WOMEN LET US thousands Hersartens, xXiended! Holiday ‘facilities: for: women, ch fice sof anothers. (Mr === [PDF page 233] === ITALY—Mrs. Paola PICCINATC—Student, Union of Italian Women Vi e Italian women send our warthest greetings to the World Congress of Women: We deeply regret that we are unable to participate in this meeting of active an responsible women from all parts of the whole world, either by sending a completé representation of the leaders of the Italian Women’s Union (UDI) and the other: democratic women’s organisations, or by sending a really large delegation truly. representative of the great women’s movement which'is so strong in our country, At this moment we are engaged in a strenuous political struggle. Here in Italy the ‘ elections for the new Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are fast approaching. Ag the outcome of these elections is governed by an absurd, iniquitous and antidemocratie law devised and imposed by the reactionary ruling circles in order to grab -the Pars liamentary majority for themselves, every single vote and the contribution of ouen one woman can lend decisive weight to the election results,: We find in the fundamental problems which constitute the agenda of this Coneis G an expression of the same aspiration as those of all the Italian women; the aims for which they are fighting and which were amply and constructively discussed. at Our national congress held in Rome from April 9th to 12th. This congress examined ‘the conditions of the women workers, the mothers, the housewives—in fact of women’ of! every walk of life who must still struggle fiercely so that their rights may be. respected, rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic but which yet awai effective legislation in order to be realised in practice, The Congress of Italian Women has demonstrated the great vitality and the extent of maturity of the unifying democratic women’s movement in our country. ‘The 5 million Italian people have no decent homes and 600,000 people live in hovels, caves and hut 232 === [PDF page 234] === aThere is an average Pbetween ~men’s and women’s wages, for the same work. problem of Peace was the kernel of our discussion just as it is yours in these days of tich activity, the Cease-Fire in Korea, the fight against the rearmament of Germany, the end of the Cold War, the conclusion of a Peace Pact—these concrete points of feritical action for the achievement of Peace are today very clear to all democratic ‘women in Italy. ... We feel more than ever near to you today—engaged as we are, in the same struggle and inspired by the same hopes. Ony a few hours ago we heard some news concerning the results of the Italian ections, A communique from the Ministry of the Interior has now made it public that the Christian Democrats and their satellite parties did not obtain 50%%o of the vote. The fact that the parties in the government did not obtain 50.°/ plus one vote means that the will of the ‘people has defeated this reactionary electoral law known as the Scelba law, and known to all Italians as the law for.rigging the elections, which was to have put the country once more in the hands of the most reactionary forces. This law was to have helped De Gasperi to continue ‘unopposed his policy of enslaving our country to a foreign imperialism, and was intended to assist the great Nearly 5 million women gave heir votes to the workers parties in the last elections. 233 === [PDF page 235] === capitalist trusts in our industry and agriculture to the detriment of the masses of the” people, already hard-pressed by the low standard of living. They wanted to maké parliament into a puppet parliament ready to approve any anti-popular measure, all military expenditures, all new attacks on liberty and on the rights which the Ttalian people have won by a bloody struggle against fascism. A The government of De Gasperi with the help of the right Social Democrats ‘in these recent years has favoured the reconstitution of fascist and monarchist groups. It hag’ freed the war criminal, Graziani, and brought about an alliance with the fascists ‘on several occasions. During the electoral campaign he allowed horrifying demonstrations of a fascist nature despite the disapproval of large masses of people even among the: followers of De Gasperi. No social reforms have been carried out. Wages have decreased and consequently: so has consumption. The exploitation of labour has increased, which weighs parti-. cularly on the mass of women workers. A point has been reached where labour contracts are no longer applied nor the law for the protection of motherhood, nor thé constitutional principle of equal pay for men and women. 2,500,000 are unemployed; in two years the number of young people who have =.’ tried in vain to find their first job is 700,000; infantile mortality has risen and 218,000: Italian families are still living in caves. * De Gasperi has given over military bases to the American government and js A spending more than 1,500,000,000 a day on war, The electoral campaign of the democratic forces was an act of accusation against De Gasperi and his policy for war, for violating the national sovereignty, of poverty and social repression. This also means that the work of the women’s democratic organisations and. | especially the Union of Italian Women has borne fruit. We think that the work of)’ these months, this great battle for Democracy and for Peace has been the best con tribution of Italian women to the World Congress of Women, " 4 Ete a oa ro aie In preparation for th Copenhagen Congre: the Italian women organised “The Congress of Italian Wo-% men” in April. Nearly three million women: gave their support by signing a folder in which their demands were stated. 234 === [PDF page 236] === AOS— le World Congress of Women aroused the greatest enthusiasm among the women of os, Madagascar and the Gold Coast. The conditions which prevail in these countries evented the delegations from leaving, but they were able to send us reports of which e are happy. to give you large extracts., })) uring thé more than 50 years’ perioc of French domination in Laos, the conditions Lao women have been very miserable. Sharing the sufferings of their people, they ve been crushed under the yoke of colonialism and feudalism and deprived of all ts normally enjoyed by a human being in society. ‘A woman in Laos had no political rights whatever. She had no say in the affairs her locality or village and she had not even the right to be informed about them. In the cultural field, the French colonists not only did not help. her by any means,; but they endeavoured to keep and extend the backward and degrading customs and habits in which she had always been forced to live. In towns, only one woman out ‘of a thousand could afford the luxury of studying. None of the others received any lucation. Family education consisted of making the Lao woman the slave of man, leprived of all rights, with an ideal and “qualities” in conformity with such a con- ‘dition. Thus, the woman was a kind of ornament which was displayed in the festiviies held in honour of the French colonists. Everywhere on the way where the latter assed, the Lao mandarins would gather women and young girls in “Ba xi” (welcome remonies) to greet them. Pregnancy, confinement, children, were each a source of suffering for the Lao roman. During pregnancy, deprived of all care, she had to suffer a real trial, the Crifices to the spirits whom she asked to look after her. During her confinement. she ‘did not-get any care. She was forced to resume work only a few days after labour, ) %) of the women fell ill. Not knowing anything about the rearing of babies, they | lost as many as half or even more of their children. If the children survived they were puny and sickly. The women relied only on the spirits, on Buddha, on fate. All their ‘was built on this accumulation of superstition and -fatalistic creeds. | The condition of women of national minorities was still worse: They were deprived ‘of all human rights, They were regarded with the greatest scorn and very badly treated. hlessly exploited from childhood, the Lao woman had ‘to perform the. hardest york. Upon maturity she was usually sold as concubine to a rich old. man and became n reality his slave, being entirely at his disposal. He married her in order to be able 0 exploit her work. If her husband died, her father-in-law or brother-in-law married “her. Thus, she had no right to go back to her family, One would often find cases of idle, old rich men of 60 or 70 enjoying themselves with several concubines, while many mg. men who were not.wealthy would remain bachelors. So the condition of Lao omen under the old regime, and above all under French domination, was very etched, ‘They deeply hate feudalism and colonialism. iow the women participate with all their might in the resistance movement and yan. irmportant part in the defence of their country. Out of the 200,000 members the “Neo Lao” Front, there are. 70,000 women. In all. the places where there is ont organisation, there is. also a women’s organisation. In almost all localities, we aye. women’s organisations with an elected executive committee. In certain. viles, yes Girls’ Leagues: and -Associations of Mothers of Fighters have been ated, ‘The hardships suffered by the Lao women in the occupied areas are hardly credible. u ‘he population is fooled and- oppressed by the French. colonists and their Lao puppets. . ‘hey are crushed by taxation, pillaged and cruelly exploited. The women bear the viest ‘burden. They do” hard’ work for starvation wages, struggle in the midst of erty and barely manage to exist. in the atmosphere of fear and anxiety which 235 === [PDF page 237] === In the freed area, the women now enjoy righ! imost. eq thi other sections of the people in the political and economic field, are respected. Inthe social and cultural advances have been. ‘issues: have not yet been given special-attention and the woman js still ‘sub: dt feudal customs and prejudices. Society has not yet the right attitude tow, In ‘almost, all provinces ‘there are groups of women cadres whoare ‘comple partly freed from their family obligations in order to carry: out propagan the women and the people, or else to work in government bodies. They even do propaganda work among the enemy troops and sometimes against. villages. They write.to their brothers, sons, husbands. or flances. x resistance movement govern the family affairs by themselves, look afier deal with the production work, till the ground, bear all hardships and, withou plaining, help’ ‘their husbands in: their work, ‘They enthusiastically cont, bringing funds to the Resistance Fund and rice to the public granary. I ‘Where. political awareness is more developed, the young girls take Part training, some of them’ have distinguished themselves. Associations.of Mo Soldiers” exist in the villages, which are particularly active. ( On. the’ whole, women like to study: In the popular education courses the more women than men..In. many completely ‘illiterate villages, women ‘si “soldiers who are passing through and ask them to teach them to write. There are groups of women who. go from village to. village to propagate of hygiene. They have Obtained good results and the people make | praisew: efforts to observe hygienic riiles, The spirit: of solidarity and mutual help is. considerably developing among t! With the basis which they have already acquired, with the already: existi Petus, and with the help of women from other. countries, especially from Viet » the Lao women..are convinced that they will be able to reach’ further succe: continue their advance, thus making a big contribution to. the common task 0: ing out their-national liberation and the defence of world peace. Together ° other sections of the people, they will at-the same time, win for themselve; !.dife, full of light ‘and happiness. t iS 236 === [PDF page 238] === celled man AVOE: ker d 20 sfvenes when the ete & kilo Bho y suntry, for: women: Te jabour, and: ho ey: allowances. 00: prisoners. Exec) sanex, from Tanarant === [PDF page 239] === to us: “I need your advice. Tell me what I can do to save our friends who are wai to die. My husband is among them. They are 15. What can I do? Must I wait for decision of the Supreme Court or is there anything to be done before? I beseech, to. help me to save them.” Her husband wrote to her: “You must bring up children well; tell them that nothing is more sacred than our homeland.” Are not children the main concern of all the mothers of the world? Is it not in order to gi them a better and more decent life that we unite every day in still greater number: How can our hearts not be broken when we read these lines written to us by tI children of Charline, whose elder son is 10 years old and the younger 7 years ol The elder told us the following: “I am the son of Charline Razanamalala who i ‘prison (I don’t know what this is) M... has given us hospitality for one year. pays for our schooling, for we go to school... Tell our mother who is in Anjanamasin; that we are well and that we pray for her. We need your help. Give us clothe: because it is beginning to be cold, and give us also blankets. Give some to my litt. brother Solofo also. If there are newspapers to be sold, send some to us...” His young’ brother wrote to us: “I don’t know mummy, they say that she has been jailed by t authorities...” Today we launch an appeal to all our sisters in the world: Help us! Help the So! darity Committee of Madagascar. Help the Madagascan women who are struggling difficult conditions for amnesty for all the people who were jailed as a result of ¢ 1947 events, for the ending of executions, the cessation of death sentences, a revisi of the Tananarive case, and that the people imprisoned as a result of these even be treated as political prisoners, not criminals. “The women of the Gold Coast are with you in this struggle for the rights of all women as mothers, workersand citizens.” (Report from Gold Coast.) 238 === [PDF page 240] === OLD COAST— He x gered end greetings to the Women’s International Democratic Federation Conference m my country, the Gold. Coast. Our population is about 5 million, women being in majority, but only 3. out of every hundred women in the Gold Coast are. literate. Our. country has been the victim for over 100 years of exploitation. by British perialism. Despite the fact that the Gold Coast produces gold, diamonds, timber, nganese, ete., and half the. world’s cocoa, our. people are still poor. in. the midst of ty. Hospitals are inadequate and are concentrated only in the principal towns. faternity clinics are insufficient and the death rate is therefore very high. There are ya few schools and only about 10°%o of the whole population is ‘literate. he name of the Gold Coast first hit the headlines of international newspapers in ruary 1948 when a-British colonial police. superintendent. fired on unarmed ex- F icemen. as they were marching in a demonstration to see the Governor to present tition On. the discrimination and degradation being meted.out to them, in spite of promises made when they went to Burma to defend the British. Empire, ‘rustration seized the whole country and the people in their desperation embarked a country-wide boycott of imported goods. The British colonial government deared.a state of emergency and it was only with the help of a contingent of ‘the oyal West African Frontier Force from.a nearby colony that order was restored. ¢ivilians weré killed by the army in cold blood. A royal commission was sent to spot by the Colonial Office to investigate the underlying cause of the disturbances. their recommendations they pointed out that the Constitution then in operation out of date, and. recommended changes in the colonial legislature giving the chise to the people of the.country for the first time. Then arose in the country lew spirit to free ourselves immediately from the shackles of British Colonialism secure independence which is the birthright of every: nation. ‘or the first time in the history of our country women began to take an active part politics and in the welfare of the state, Politics were brought to the common man nd woman, Before the elections everything was done to crush’ the spirit of the Ople,. Leaders of the trade union movement were thrown into. jail, and women ere jailed for allegedly inciting workers to go on strike. ‘Women équally enjoy the franchise and a handful of councillors elected to our new ‘al. muncipal councils are women. Because of illiteracy many of the women are not mployed, but work on: their own. as cloth sellers, bread bakers, vegetable sellers, and mers, The few who are employéd are taking part in the organisation of the trade ohs in their industry.. n spite of all this progress under the new changes in our Constitution, the people still suffering. The cost of living is rising daily. We want. to see our country’s ‘wealth utilised for the benefit of the people. Social ‘urity must be introduced. We want to see’ that the women of our country are ‘en the fullest opportunity for education and that their rights as mothers are eguarded: Our children must not be dragged. to fight. another war again. Any new means disaster to the whole universe. The colonial war and repression in Kenya Malaya, must cease. The people of the Negro race have the right to national lependence and _self-determination. The women of the Gold Coast are with you in this struggle for the rights of all men as mothers, workers and citizens. We must,make the voice of women for peace heard everywhere in the world. We ust force all governments to abandon their aggressive policies and think in terms of 239 === [PDF page 241] === RGREA TR: Danish Govern. sed enlronce into: the. cauntry-to- ie five delegates pt Ko. the: ten delegates: of Viel Nei, dad the sitlegales: 6F Malaya. They hae to-siay in 8B bit Tio! Goveriinent could: provertt theiz vores from being’ heard. While: the: message the women thasivred Dy: war reached and: suited: ine delegates, “the: Hays ‘ar ihe peoples: were noisted ahd ‘ihe: Gongrexs: pledged: to. work for dn. armistice i, Kon the: eniling of ime: wars being. waged. ate 5 ined ‘the ‘Americkn imporislsls aad the: Teekevss Ai6 oe ‘Syngmin Shee bevar the: war against the peace-loving Korean: people The: Anglo- Arheris an _interveationists wage War againget: ihe: Koréan: people teh Gen ‘of 4 sheen part of our: Republic. In the -disiriét: of Sin: Chen ‘of: the: same province: the: cnemy ‘has. shel. or buvied alive: 35,000: peaceloving ‘inhabilants, In the: district, Huan: Chu: of the: Huan: Hef province the cnemy ‘killed: 4 cchildren withiag ose before: the: eves: oF th mother, the poasant worhen Jui Sen: Ne. The: Abierican: canrlbals: Who sulfer‘one defedt ‘after ‘another ‘an the front; started in their -firy ‘to: make. use ‘of. bacteriological and chemical wariard, and thus broke: basic: tules ‘of morality and international law: in:Spite of all: these severe triais and the terzar-of: war, the Korean women, tosethe ‘ independence: - of: thels. fand, | and: for: the! happiness ef cthete dhddreni. iss rising’ Their hatred: at the ‘eridn growing: -strogger: in’ face Under the Ioadership: af thet: dear Bin - tr: Sen,: the! ators: ers: of | Koren: tight der. dams con all fronts OE ths tir:ngly behind the factor der to shoulder. with in thé. very front Hie. A teal orderly, Li Ine Gi arship which was by enemy. boaths.: Bacdsag her Hfe, she saved 80: wound raid). Returning: to¢ thes Rass. tO. save More soldiers, she: fatally. wounded: “Jusk: befor deat, ‘she: said. to. Sper ce === [PDF page 242] === Soon. as tht: Congress: was: over, JMadame Cotton came to Berlin: to meet = Vietnamese::delea swe and: ‘you have: yo rpw? “friends “nv: the Con Said ‘to: them): expressing: Cotton: O: delepRtions: and: Mire:: i Pept. sd: seli-saci n the. pine e thelr husbands ard sons on: th production 3 hoa: prate ete: Korean fighters. the deep feeling of the: === [PDF page 243] === We are firmly convinced that you will help us realise our hopes for comp! victory. This is the conviction and the desire of all Korean mothers who have ‘se their sons and their husbands to the front. They are ready to overcome all difficultips in order that final victory may be won. There are no difficulties and hindrances which Korean women would not overcome for the sake of victory. Among the Korean women is the partisan heroine To Hoc Ni, who has shed her blood for our homeland. Among the partisan women, there are 9 heroines and 14,000 women who have been decorated by the State. Our fight is a just one—it is a fight for the freedom and independence of our hom land. Our fight is the fight for peace. That is why we are not alone in our fight, -w; have the help and support of decent men and women the whole world over, The mora} and material help of all peace-loving people, including women, is an importa condition for the victory of the Korean people in the fight against American interve tion. All peace-loving women and mothers have taken up this fight and demand a peaceful settlement of the Korean question. The W.I.D.F., the organisation of the women and mothers of the world, sent. Commission to investigate atrocities which exposed these facts before the whole world, It encouraged the Korean people in their fight. On behalf of the entire Korean people, who are shedding their blood in the neh against American imperialism, and on behalf of the mothers of Korea who have lo: their beloved children, I call upon you, all of you, including the American delegatio: to fight with yet greater determination for the immediate cessation of the mas; murders carried out by the American imperialists, under cover of the U.N. flag. On June 16th the delegates of Korea, Viet-Nam and those of Japan who had been delayed by passport difficulties, as well as representatives from 24 countries were present at the headquarters of the WIDF, This friendly meeting was a prolongation of the warm enthusiasm of the: Congress and enabled every body to express théir ardent will to impose armistice in Korea and the end of the wars being waged. 242 === [PDF page 244] === f the asmisnee | jn Kores and-act so that it become: en: connirs swith bo Nappy again. and and: speacelal: i: harder can you prevent the ceapoines your. fam have ‘te © you ‘to: face: certain: deat Dp ep) the sensi agg death of your ‘hus: [Unreadable] he tragic fate of the Korean people, { jant, let us, together wilh decent people rotest and fight: against he war: hysteria of the: tnothers, whose ‘sons. and musbands are figh ‘Yon must BES === [PDF page 245] === -- MALAYA— We, the people of Malaya who are carrying out an arduous struggle for our Nation; independence and liberation, are fully aware of the historic significance of this Congress, It expresses the wishes. of thousands of millions of mothers throughoy the world.: Malaya is a beautiful country, It has been called “The Garden of the East’, 1 famous for. its production, of rubber and lead, but the colonial rule of the Britis! aggressors in Malaya for more than a. hundred years has incessantly exploited th Malayan people and robbed them of the fruit of their labour, and wealth, They h: been forced to live in semi-starvation conditions. Malaya has a population. of six million and an area of 140,000 square km. Th British. colonists have. mobilised 450,000 soldiers and police since they started: the out military offensive in Malaya in June 1948. Everywhere peaceful inhabitants have been. massacred and women raped. Half a million workers, Peasants, women and children were interned in the so-called “New Colonist villages”, surrounded by bark wire charged with electricity and closely guarded by the police. The new villages ‘ this kind increased continuously and there are already more than four hundred and eighty of them, Those interned are not allowed to enter or leave freely. They are Subjected to humiliating searches, and stripped: of their clothes.. a In the past four years, more than 50,000 Malayan patriots and innocent people have » been arrested, deported or killed by the British, The British authorities imposed “mass” penalties”, All the inhabitants of a town are levied with a large fine. They are pro hibited from leaving the town and from carrying on business in a certain period of — time. The British authorities have even razed whole villages to the ground, Bartontinni in Peilan being one of them. The British air force also used. large. amounts of chemical weapons to poison and destroy. crops. The Malayan people, who were already short of food, are ‘starving. British. soldiers and policemen often. shoot. women and children. working in the fields. In February last year, Shaw-Lai-Po, a woman worker inal. rubber plantation in Pan Hanweiko, was shot after she had been raped by the British soldiers. This atrocity aroused the indignation of thousands of workers who started a strike, si The British authorities frequently: play cruel tricks on ‘the Malayan citizens. They charge the peaceful people with some crime invented by. themselves. Our comrade Li Tien-ti is one of these victims, I must thank in particular. the W.LD.F. and our sisters'and friends in vario countries for the just support you have kindly given to us. Your support sustains an encourages our confidence in the victory of our cause.: Women-undergo the fear of their sons being recruited as ‘soldiers when growing up, Ever ‘since Templer came*to his post, he issued in succession the “Conscription Ac! and the “Federation Army Act”, According to these acts, boys and men a; Pound Sterling but in 1953 it has increased already to 4,500,000,000: To The Malayan’ people’ were forced.to take up arms and establish their National Liberation Army, Malayan women have enthusiastically joined the army. Many have rendered help ‘to the National Liberation Army, providing food or serving intelligence officers, at the risk of their own lives. They prefer to be arrested or to bi turned out homeless rather than betray their cause. With the enthusiastic support ( the people, our National Liberation Army which ‘started with 9 detachments in 19. has ‘already developed into 12 detachments. eae Malayan people warmly love peace. They hate war.-The military attack launch by the British government on the Malayan people not only destroys the peaceful of Malayan people but also destroys the peaceful-life of the British people. Peat loving British sisters! This. criminal War not only brings heavy calamities on Malayan people but also lays heavy war expenditures on your shoulders and dri your beloved ones from your side to.commit foul crimes far away. Therefore it is: hope of our Malayan people that you will exert still more efforts to check 4 criminal war, We appeal also to our sisters of the whole world, for world peace, for the defence of women’s rights and children’s lives.: 244 === [PDF page 246] === & the Congress 3 W “pass | on to: the ee ‘ihe message “OL: Stirring moment === [PDF page 247] === tally pealise he n Odly: against: tie so Army while they ighiers*; AA! 25806! stion Of suppast is FOURS: ters: other fi fo the: Soe ieavine for: ue front. i: === [PDF page 248] === of ‘rite: is ‘the ‘task: ubture © of aint aan encmy. rab i aeSeVetions euve es: te ust ‘of. our: sisters: were literate ae be Haus GOUTSE === [PDF page 249] === ranee, che com de, Young men and women, Henri Martin and Raymonde Dien. you to all Jighte 2; to the working men and women: aris, Mar cilles, Bordeaux and -other: ho have fought and are inp now: for the end of the also thank with our - whole ‘hearts Bo men sand: women of “Algeria; / Tunisia and Africa who have fought ener- Wersy: Bod: courage: ania: salt the: sstrugstes of: | i their: people: hey take caré of the wounded,: Hy oATanspart: them: “along: We: forbst: tracks: : nest many: dangers, and oe do. 3t: 3 the: pouteee <o8 women: 3 === [PDF page 250] === husbands and their children to colonialist armies destined for war in Indo-China, who have been willing to suffer hunger rather than load armaments on ships bound for Viet-Nam. ... We send to this Congress a message of profound love from the mothers and women of Viet-Nam to. the mothers, the women of Korea Malaya, Pathet Lao and Kmer, ... We regret infinitely not being able to meet at this Congress the delegations from nearly all the countries. Although we are not present, we feel as you do that the Congress is one big family, full of tenderness and affection, a family to which we are profoundly attached and every member of which is animated by the same will to win a beautiful and happy life for herself, for her family, for her children. ... Steadfastly trusting in the powerful and invincible forces of unity of all the women of the whole world; steadfastly trusting in the final victory of our people in the ‘fight for national independence and world peace, we cry. out with all our strength: ~ Long live the World Congress of Women! Madame Cotton talking with the Vietnamesc delegation. 249 === [PDF page 251] === ~ Long live the unity and friendship of the women of the whole world! Closing speech by Madame Cotton Dear Friends, M, closing ‘speech ‘will be short, because each of you has already drawn for. your, the great lesson of our Congress,’ And this can be summarized in one word, \a.woi ‘. great significance, the fine word unity, For all-our tasks, whether we have» and defend our rights, improve the life of our ‘children, or win peace, unity is nec "between ‘the women. of the world, We have understood this better each day, unity seemed easier to achieve in this genial atmosphere created for us by our D; friends at the cost of admirable devotion from them, and all those. who co-o; with them, in the hospitable city which Copenhagen is.’ We deeply thank for this. i.; ae We have just been living very moving. hours, and very often. we have Jooke one another with eyes filled with tears, or beaming with enthusiasm. 3 We don’t know at present whom we must admire more, the millions of. ‘ who have already through their struggles taken their fate into their own the millions of others who in many countries are determinedly fighting for nati independence’ and for the liberties dear to us: In this universe where inequz {-was the mother. It is indeed great audacity, at my age, a Federation ‘as dynamic as this, but yo enthusiasm that I did not hesitate in th “you, You may rely on me. Long live unity and friendship among the women of the whole world! z 250. === [PDF page 252] === [Photograph: photomontage of crowds and figures with raised arms] === [PDF page 253] === APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF THE WHOLE WORL WOMEN OF THE WHOLE WORLD! The World Congress of Women, which has just met in Copenhagen in ne 1953, representing hundreds of millions of women from 70 countries, appeals q you, whatever your country, your race, your politics, creed or walk of life: unite ever more Closely in’ the. struggle to ‘ensure to every woman enjoyment of ‘her'rights and to every child security. and well-being, and” a world in which humanity can live in peace, ‘We are proud of the great contribution women have already made towards the lessening of world tension. f At. the present time, when the peoples of the world are filled with new that international strife may be settled by peaceful means, our task as" has become more urgent than ever. x United, we must demand that an armistice be signed ona just. basis and th: the cessation of. hostilities in Korea be followed by.a just and lasting peace, ‘United, we must put an end to the wars now in progress in Viet-Nam 4 Malaya. United, we must achieve a peaceful settlement of the German, Aum nd: Japanese questions, Colonial exploitation and foreign domination constitute a crime against the peoples and a grave threat to the peace of the world. Let us stand together with the millions of men and. women who are heroically struggling for the sacred’ cause of liberty, for national independence and the equality of races, Let struggle for the rights of the Peoples to self-determination. WOMEN OF THE WORLD! The forces which oppose a»peaceful solution of ‘international problem: constantly threatening to. drag humanity into the abyss of war. ‘These for creating blocs of aggression and military bases, Our task is to defeat them. Let us. fight. with ‘still.greater determination’ so that international problem! _ may be solved by negotiation between the countries concerned, United we, who together represent a great force in the world; can ensure tha the opening of ‘such ‘negotiations will result in. the ‘epnchision of.a peace between. the Five Great Powers. » Such.a’-pact. will make possible a reduction of the enormous military eX penditure which today is lowering the standard of living of the Proples' of ma countries and’ seriously affecting the future of our children, === [PDF page 254] === United, let us admana that our “governments ha the paanGiaetare sua use of. © omic and: bacteriological ‘weapons and of all weapons of mass destruction. The huge resources thus released could be ‘used to. better the life-of mankind and: to ntribute to the progress of society. Let us demand more firmly than ever that: our governments ban war propganda and propaganda which fosters hatred between the péoples. t We have a major role to play in relation to our youth. ‘Let us bring up our ildren with a love of peace, progress and friendship among the peoples. WOMEN OF THE WORLD! The ‘World Guridivbes of Women calls upon all <woineli; whatever their race, ationality, religious. and political opinions, and upon.all national organisations f women: let-.us join forces.to put into effect the. demands proclaimed py the iongress in its “Declaration on the Rights. of Women”. Let us join forces to defend the lives and health of our children, Let us: work together! Let us white to establish and develop trade, friendship and cultural undertanding which -will enrich the lives of all peoples! Together let us soy the nterests of women and. children!: Through us, peace will triumph!: Adopted by the World Congress of Women Copenhagen, June 10th 1953 === [PDF page 255] === DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS.OF WOMEN ‘We, representing hundreds of millions of women of 70 countries, of different races, nationalities, professions, walks of life and political and religious views, have come together at the World Congress of Women in Copenhagen, It is the first time in the history of the women’s movement that the voice o women'from so many countries in the world has been raised: to declare once again that the eccnomie, political and legal position of women in most of these “ countries requires radical change or improvement. Millions of women receive lower wages than men for the same kind ‘of work. In many cases, the right of married women to work is being attacked, Million: of women do not have the benefif of maternity leave, and pregnant women often dismissed from their jobs. The absence of creches and day nuirserie: many- countries, and the inadequacy in others makes the life of working mothe: difficult. In effect this limits. their right to work and their participation in’ soci lite, Where unemployment iis increasing, women are often the first to be missed, and form a large proportion of. the army of unemployed.’ Women numerous countries do not have the right to occupy certain elected or nominated public posts. Their right to general and professional education is limited. Their legal rights are not equal to men’s. All these conditions result in curtailing the ‘means of the participation of women in the political and economic life of thi There are too, many countries in which women still have:no rights, they are oppressed and their dignity as human beings is continuously insulted. Millions of peasant women live under tragic conditions. + In the midst of war preparations, when the economic conditions of the wor! ers are deteriorating and the offensive against democratic rights and liberties is. being intensified, women’s lives are becoming: still more difficult, ‘ This is why the fight for the defence of women’s rights and for winning full equality is today more essential than ever. The World Congress wishes to re-state the hopes and aspirations of the women 3 of the whole world whose rights it proclaims in this declaration,: The following rights must be recognised for all women, irrespective of thei: race, nationality and position in society: ~~ the right to work; ~~ the ‘right to free choice of a profession or trade}; — the right to enter all administrative. and public -posts; equal possibilities for promotion in all spheres of work; i -— equal pay for equal work; ~- the equal right to social insurance; === [PDF page 256] === = the equal right to state protection of mother and child; paid pre- and postnatal. maternity leaves, the establishment: of sufficient maternity homes, welfare clinics for mother and child, creches and kindergartens, in the _ counttyside as well as in the towns and industrial centres}: — the granting of the same rights. to agricultural as to industrial women workers as regards wages, measures of security at work and protection. of mother and child; — the rights of peasant women to own. land and to the fruits of the land; = the right to a full education and professional training; ‘ — the'right to vote and to be elected to all state bodies, without restrictions and discrimination; — equal legal rights with men in relation to property, marriage and children; — the right to association and unhampered activity for women’s democratic organisations, and the right to participate in other organisations. These rights should be confirmed by law and the necessary conditions. for their application created. It is also necessary to raise the general standard of living of the people, to improve housing standards and to extend social services, These steps will be made possible by taking from war expenditures money to be placed at the service of life and for happy homes in a world where peace is ensured, The demands put forward:-in this declaration are fully justified. Generations of women Have fought for them. These demands-can be realised. This is shown by the experience of women in countries whose governments are concerned with the happiness of their peoples. These governments have granted women their full rights and have at the same time created conditions which permit the full exercise of these rights. The. World Congress calls upon women of the whole world to cooperate closely in, organised and persistent action for their rights as mothers, workers and Let us unite our efforts in this common struggle. Unity is the condition of victory. Adopted. by the World Congress of Women, Copenhagen, June 16th, 1953 === [PDF page 257] === RESOLUTION ° AGAINST REPRESSION The delegates to|the. World Congress of Women, in the name of hundreds of millions’ of women send fraternal greetings to the courageous men and wom persecuted in many countries for having fought for peace.and for the indepe: ae ence of their peoples, for women’s rights and for the happiness of childre: The repressive measures undertaken by many. governments is-a sign of their weakness and increases the women’s will to struggle. The World Congress. of Women: calls on ali women ‘and. all. national and ‘international organisations ‘to increase ‘their pressure on the government force them to liberate our brothers and sisters. who are imprisoned, condem * for having defended peace and the independence of the peoples, Adopted by the World Congress of Women, Copenhagen, June 10th, 1953 RESOLUTION ‘We women from 70 countries, representing various women's organisations. an non-organised women, many of whom have come into contact with the ‘Women’s International Democratic Federation for the first time, having taken ‘part in thi World Congress of Women, have understood and approved of the work carried. out by the Women’s International Democratic Federation in defence of ‘th rights of women and children and for world peace. “We feel strongly. the need to continue to work in closer cooperation and harmony and to unite still. more closely, so as to make’our movement more and more effective in its fight to win and ensure the rights of women and children and to defend peace in the whole world. Adopted by the World Congress of Women, Copenhagen, June 10th, 1953 === [PDF page 258] === Officers of the ~ Women’ s International Democratic Federation elected at Popeaheaee, June 10th 1953 President: Madame EUGENIE COTTON, Master of Research. of the National Centre of Scientific Research, President of the Union of French Women, Vice-President of the World Peace Council. — France. \Vice-Presidents: Doctor ANDREA ANDREEN, President of the Union of Sw Sweden. 4 Professor ERZSEBETH ANDICS, President of the National Peace Committee of Hungary, Vice-Minister of Higher Education. — Hungary. Mrs, MONICA FELTON, President of the National Assembly of Women. of Great Britain. — Great Britain. Mrs.. DOLORES IBARRURI, President of the Union of Spanish Women. — Spain. Mrs. RITA MONTAGNANA, founder and honorary President: of the: Union. of Italian Women. — Italy. ¢ Mrs. | CEZA NABARAOUI, Foundation member of the Egyptian Feminist Union, — Egypt. Mrs. NINA POPOVA, President of the Anti-Fascist Committee of Soviet Mrs. RANSOME KUTI, Founder and President of the Union of Nigerian Women. — Nigeria. Mrs. TSAI CHANG, President of the All-China Women’s Democratic Federation, — China. Mrs. LILLY WACHTER, ‘Member my the Secretariat of the Democratic Union of German Women. — Germany. » Vice-Presidéncies are reserved for the following countries: India, Japan, Brazil and: United. States. 257 === [PDF page 259] === Mis. Nina Popova.” Dr. -Andren. ANDRERN Mrs, ‘Tsai CHANG === [PDF page 260] === Fe Cézs NABARAOUL : Mrs. Monica - FRLTON Mrs. Tilly ‘WACHTER Mis? Marie-Claude: ‘AILLANT-COUTURIER: === [PDF page 261] === SECRETARIAT OF THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION General Secretary: Marie-Claude Vaillant Couturier (France) Assistant General Secretaries: Angiola Minella (Italy): Galina: Gorochkova (U.S.S.R.): net eee ae Secretaries; Elisa Uriz (Spain) Yang Yun-Yu | (China). Erna, Schafer (Germany) Molly Mandell (Great Britain) Zdenka Zimova (Czechoslovakia) (reserved) (United States) The Bureau of the Women’s International Democratic Federation includes the President, the ‘Vice-Presidents, the General Secretary and the two Assistant General Secretaries. CONTROL COMMISSION Antonia Tumova (Czechoslovakia) Jeanne Mullier \ (Belgium) Irma Schwager (Austria) Treasurer:. Dida Mihaleea (Rumania) 260 === [PDF page 262] === Countries Albania Algeria ‘Argentine Australia ‘Austria Belgium ‘Bolivia Brazil Bulgaria Columbia ~ Costa’ Rica » Cuba Cyprus Czechoslovakia Denmark. Ecuador COUNCIL Members Nexmije Hoxha Abassia Fodil Fanny Edelman Margarita’ de Ponce Betty. Reilly Irma Schwager. Dr. Maria Subik Jeanne Mullicr (reserved) (reserved) Branca Fialho Arcelina Mochel Goto Edy Duarte Pereira Tzola. Dragoitcheva Vera: Natcheva Daw. Khin Chit Rae Luckock Nora Rodd Mercedes Fuentealba ‘Tsai Chang Teng Ying Chao Li Teh Chuan Hsu Kwang-Ping Shih Liang Ismenia de Mujica Maria de Mata: Edith Garcia Buchaca Candelaria Rodriguez Mrs. Andoulla G. Christoforou. Aneska Hodinova-Spurna Irena Durisova Ruth Hermann Alba Calderon de Gil OF THE WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION Deputy Members Vita» Kapo Baya ‘Allaouchiche Irma’ Othar Zulma Nunez (reserved) Ida Fléckinger Grete Schiitte-Lihotzky Mariette Van Ballaert Marie Guisse (reserved) Elisa ‘Branco Paulina d’Ambrosia Nuta Barthlet James Rada Todorova Anastasia Vylkova Daw Khin Hla Blanche Gelinas Agnes Ji ackson (reserved) Lu Tsui Tsao Meng-Chuan Yang Yun-yu (reserved) Luisa Gonzales Celia Machado Nila Ortega Mrs, Kioula: Ziartidou Ana Slecktova Ruzena Zahradkova Alvilda Larsen (reserved) === [PDF page 263] === Finland _ «France Germany Great Britain Greece - Guatemala "Holland » Hungary Teeland India Indonesia Tran Iraq Israel | ~taly a apan. Korea ‘Lebanon, _ Luxemburg Madagascar Malaya --Ceza. Nabaraoui . Silvi Killikki: Kilpi Eugenie: Cotton Marie-Claude Vaillant Couturier Juliette. Dubois Ilse Thiele Lilly. Wachter © Edith Bauman Monica Felton Molly Mandell Roula Koukoulou Rosa. Imvrioti (reserved) Gre Blokker Rie Lips Erzsebeth Andics Elizabeth: Vass Edith Erdei Sigribur Eiriksdottir Valdemarsson Renu Chakravarty Bibi Sakuntala (3. reserved) Suwarti Asijah {2 reserved) Mariam Firouz Djamile Sadighi Fatima Ahmed Ruth Lubitch Rita Montagnana Maria Maddalena Rossi ~ Rosetta Longo Angiola Minella: (reserved) (reserved) Layla Khalil Rosa Weiss (reserved) ‘Che Samsiah: 5 ' Andree Marty-Capgras * Dora Vigtusdottir Ani ‘Marie Tabet: °* Hsieh Jen: (reserved) ‘Irma Torvi:% Legs Francoise Leclerc Gisele Joannes Marie -Taubert Helga. Dickel (reserved) * (reserved) Avra Vlassi Vayo Vourna R. Kogenhop A. John Irene Manushnic- Marget Voidan Provabati Debi Sivas rat Bibi Sant Kaur (1 reserved) Suharti (2 reserved) Akhtar Kianouri» Charmini (reserved) (reserved) Teresa Noce Elena Caporaso Ada ‘Alessandrini === [PDF page 264] === Deputy Members: ~ Paula Gomez Alonso. © Soroeco Burciaga *Mireya B. dé Huerta. Paula. Medrano Udval ‘sonoma Lemadh Norcine (reserved) * Alice Harris: (reserved); Ransome. Kuti (reserved) 8: Sigrid Narup. Gunderud Gudrun Fivindson (reserved) Z (reserved) Eugenie Praguierova Jatazkuvna Mehalina Alicia Musialova Vanda K. Jakubovska Maria Silvestre. Ester Durso Julia Costa Helena Sa Stella Enescu Tiana Rechanu Dida Mihalcea Maria Moranu Dolores Ibarruri Elisa Uriz Andrea Andreen “ Elizabeth Tamm Valborg Svenson Margit Lindstrém Charlotte Muret Lotte Humbelin | , Mouna Fouad (reserved) (reserved) (reserved) Samira Hayder Lameese Ayyoub hs (reserved) (reserved) (reserved) * Celia Mieres (reserved) (reserved) Nina Popova Zoia Tumanova Zinaida Gagarina. Lidia Kukarenko Nadejda Parfienova Kulipa Konduchalova Lidia Petrova Galina Gorochkova Argelia Laya de Martinez (reserved) Hoang -Thaf Le Thanh-Ha Le Minh Hien Vera Liitch (reserved) | Bosiika: Marianovich === [PDF page 265] === _ Countries eae the Brazil Bulgaria x China Cuba Czechoslovakia » Egypt Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece |. Hungary. ‘India Indonesia Tran italy Udval Sonomen OF THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRA FEDERATION Members Abassia Fodil Fanny Edelman Branca Fialho Tzola Dragoitcheya Tsai Chang Teng Ying Chao Li. Teh. Chuan Edith Garcia Buchaca } Anezka Hodinova-Shurns Ruth Hermann Ceza Nabaraoui Silvi Killikki Kilpi Eugenie Cotton Marie-Claude Vaillant Couturier Juliette Dubois ° Ise Thiele - Lilly Wachter Edith Bauman Monica Felton Roula, Koukeulou Erszebet Andics Elizabeth Vass’ Renu Chakravarty (reserved) Mariam Firouz Rita. Mantagnana Maria Maddelena Rossi Rosetta Longo; Angiola Minella.: (reserved) (reserved): ‘Bibi Sakuntala _ (reserved) Deputy Members Baya Allaouchiche: Margarita de Ponca! Arcelina Mochel: Goto Vera Natcheva a Lu Tsui ‘ Tsao Meng Chuan Yang Yun-yu Candelaria Rodriguez Irena Durisdva.: Alvida ‘Larsen fresensay Irma Torvi Francoise Leclere Gisele Joannes. a Andree Marty-Capgras Marie Taubert 4 Helga Dickel (reserved) (reserved) Rosa Imvrioti Edith Erdei Djamile Sadighi Teresa Noce Elena. Caporaso., Ada. Alessandrini. === [PDF page 266] === Countries Nigeria Norway » Poland Rumania Spain Sweden Switzerland USA. USSR. Yugoslavia Members Ransome Kuti Sigrid Narup Gunderud Eugenie Praguierova Alicia Musialova Stella Enescu Dolores Ibarruri Andrea Andreen Charlotte Muret (reserved) Nina Popova Zinaida Gagarina Galina Gorochkova Vera Luitch Deputy Members (reserved) Gudrun Eivindson Jatazkuvna Mehalina Vanda- Jakubovska Dida Mihalcea Elisa Uriz Elisabeth Tamm Lotte Humbelin Nadejda Parfienova Lidia Petrova Bosilka Marianovitch 265. === [PDF page 267] === Messages 1o the Congress ‘From. all parts of the earth, from big cities as well as villages, thousands of ~ messages poured into the Congress sent by women’s Organisations, trade ‘unions,: groups of people or individuals. They were. often accompanied with ‘small Presents — and mothers sent photographs of their children, How precious to. the Congress were Ee these tokens. of trust, the unity which it symbolizes, and affection towards the WILDE, and its leaders, tokens: which expressed the deepest aspirations of the women: fo: happiness, equality and peace. * The countries whose delegations. could ‘not reach’ the Congress greeted it and ex. pressed their regret at not being present. y Pak Den Al, President of the Union of Korean Women sent the following telegram. “Although. the.seats of the Korean delegates. to the Congress. are vacant, the delegatés of Korea are with you, dear friends, They are worthy of these seats because in the past they have suffered. for many years under the colonial yoke, because now they suffer from the immense grief brought by the American aggression, and. becausi they are courageously fighting for peace and the happiness. of the new generation: We, women of’ Korea, unite our-voices with yours, with the voices of the peace-loving — Women of the world and sincerely wish the World Congress, of Women. great successes,” } Sat The Korean delegation, led by Mrs. Kim En Su, expressed from Berlin its confidence “that at this Congress many millions of women the world over.will once again raise their voices for the peaceful solution of the Korean question.” i Also. from Berlin, the’ delegation of Viet-Namese women sent us the following telegram: “We are carefully following the work of the Congress and put. all our confidence in. the invincible force of the women of the whole world.” i Site Thousands of messages had been brought by the Viet-Namese delegation: they were: ° adopted at meetings in which more than 150,000 women had taken part during: the. © “Week of Support to the World Congress of Women”,: A women’s group of Thailand, in greeting’ the Congress, stated that they are’ sure i the Congress will help ‘to. consolidate unity and solidarity between the women 6f all. | nations and pledged to do their utmost to carry out its resolutions, Sn The Madagascar Solidarity Committee which defends. the imprisoned patriots and. especially the women, sent its warm greetings to the Congress, Greetings were sent by the women of Tunisia who were refused Passports, as well as the women of Syria, Nigeria and Gold Coast. ae From the Cameroons a letter was sent, expressing their “deep regret not to bevable to. participate in the Congress. We thank you for your work, Long live the Work Congress of Women. Long. live friendship between the peoples!”: ‘ The: Trieste women, not having been given passports, cabled us:.“‘We wish. you: Successful work and pledge to carry out the decisions of the Congress.”: ai. Mrs. Ibrahim, member of the Executive Committee of the Union of Sudanese | i Women writes: “We warmly support your noble struggle for the welfare of wom and children, for peace and friendship between ‘all nations, We have great confidence: that by your aid and that of the peace-loving people, humanity will. see the end ~ the oppressing of nations and war.”;: as [Unreadable] === [PDF page 268] === The Women’s organisation of Punjab, India, whose delegates did not receiwe passports, sent greetings. CAT; Thousands of messages were sent to the Congress or brought’ by delegations.. First of all’from Denmark, many meetings demonstrated their pleasure that the Congress was. being’ held in Copenhagen. Finland sent 29 books with 34,241 signatures. of individuals. and organisations. From Sweden came 10,000 messages. Australia sent hundreds of postcards with individual signatures. From Germany, a very large number of letters and telegrams were sent affirming the will to do everything to realise the peaceful. unity of the: country. From Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Albania, came messages’ glorifying the work of peaceful construction. Also messages and letters from Great Britain, Chile, Norway, India, Indonesia, etc. Japan sent many messages, often showing individual initiative, drawings, albums of popular. songs, records, peace pencils.and a telegram from the Japanese Teachers’ Union. Many telegrams and letters came from France which, in greeting the Congress, expressed demands for bread, work, national independence, and the ending of the war in Viet-Nam. Among them were some from 100 mothers from Nanterre (near Paris) the women workers of the “Vautier” firm from Marseilles, threatened with dismissal, a Conference of wives of railway workers, working or retired, a conference held on June 7th, a meeting of 200 women of Clichy, mothers of conscripts from ‘the 15th district of Paris, a meeting of about 1,000 Parisian women “hit by unemployment and poverty”, committees of the Union of French. Women and of the French General Confederation of Labour. The wives of the Dunkirk dockers wrote to us: “We, dockers’* wives, have approved our husbands’ action: against the Indochina’ war. At present, we want to get more security measures for our husbands in harbour, to get a government which would. resume commercial. relations with all countries, so that there would be less. unemployment.” From Franco’s Spain, a poignant message has reached us; it bore 67 signatures and 4 said: “When you receive our most earnest. greetings, you. must know that hundreds of young women put all their hopes in the conclusions of this gigantic Congress, You must also know that all-your aspirations are ours, and we promise you that from chained Spain. we shall hold out, our-hands_to you over the borders, to strengthen our unity and prevent the warlikes manoeuvres of the enemies of peace.” An album containing thousands of messages signed by Spanish women living in Spain and . different countries was handed to the Congress. From Greece, Mrs. Olga Vioumidou, muncipal councillor of Piraeus, conveyed to us her confidence in. the good results of the Congress, and “above all, concerning the ensuring of peace in the world.” We must mention the messages of the Chinese Nurses’ Association, of the Rangoon women gathered in a large meeting in support of ‘the Congress on June 5th, of the Union’ of. Spanish Women in Uruguay, of 92 women factory workers and. intellectual - women in Paraguay, of 600 women from different Argentine towns, of tobacco women workers from ‘Guatemala, of the women’s organisations in Chile; Women’s Unity Committee, Chilean. Women’s Union, People’s Front, Sponsoring Committee for the World Congress; 78 messages embroidered by Columbian women; messages from the “Association of Canadian Housewives and from the Winnipeg Council of the Congress of Canadian Women which gives its “solemn pledge to: work more energetically for the ‘fulfilment. of these ainis”, from the Committee for the: Rights of Canadian Children; a message from the National, Assembly of Audin and Coatbridge (Scotland), fromthe Women’s Council of Milan ([taly), from the Union of Australian Women - (Melbourne, Australia); a message from. the Danish women of. Esjberg, from the - National Association of South Croydon Women (Great Britain), and’ from the. North- 267 === [PDF page 269] === teld Assembly of Women, Birmigham. 30 Scottish mothers with 93 children sent booklet of messages, and the women of Wythenshawe (Manchester) also sent a boo! * with Deace messages. African women from Worcester (Capetown, South Africa) write: “We, women of Worcester strongly support the Congress of the Women of the World. and we wish to bind ourselves with the women of the world in the struggle to safe. guard the present and future lives of our children in demanding the rights of our womenfolk.”: Letters from. the Swiss Peace Movement, from the New Zealand Peace Council, - from the Newcastle Peace Council (Australia), from the Australian Peace Council, from the New South Wales Peace Council. A message from the Peace Committee of. British Guiana conveying its wishes for success, and messages from the women of Georgetown and Buxton (British Guiana), ae 300 Chicago “Women for Peace” sent the following message “join in friendship with women everywhere in search of a better life in'a world of Peace” and the New York Committee of the “American Women for Peace” sent this: greeting to the Congress: “We express our corifidence that the Congress deliberations deepen ties among women build world peace.” The Oakland Peace Committee (California) sent to the Congress some gifts “made with the heartfelt desire for peace and friendship”. The Women’s © Auxiliary of the Seamen and Longshoremen’s Union of the Pacific Coast (United States, Canada, Hawaii) sent their warmest and. sincerest greetings to the W.LD.F, and pledged to continue the struggle until we get a world at peace where our children ¢an develop and lead a normal life, un The problem of the defence of women’s rights has aroused the interest of many trade unions. We should mention the Marseilles branch of the French General Con- — federation of. Labour, the Gas Workers’ Union of Oslo (Norway), the Glasgow Electrical Union, the National Textile. Federation of Chile, through a‘telegram ‘to its general-secretary, the All-India Trade Union Congress, the 20th Congress of the French General Confederation of Labour and the Congress of the French Gas and Electricity Workers Union, who sent their wishes for success, The International Union of Leather Workers greeted the Congress as well as the International Union of Textile ~ and Clothing Workers who cabled: “We wish you success in your legitimate struggle for: better life for women and_ their families, for the promotion of international — solidarity'and consolidation of peace throughout the world.” Spyies The International Union of Journalists stated its “conviction that the Congress will become an important date in the democratic women’s movement and in their struggle for social and political rights”. x we Many, prominent. people. were eager to greet our Congress, “ Mrs. Rodd, of the Congress. of Canadian Women, President of the Women’s Com- — mission. of Investigation. sent. to Korea in 1951 by the W.LD.F. wrote to us a re magnificent letter: “Greetings to the World Congress of Women! Greetings to Madame > Cotton, beloved President and to her Executive. of the W.LD.F.! Greetings to the ne delegates... representing... millions of. women determined to win dignity and equality for women, security for their children, and above all, Peace! May your voices be heard. round the world! Se -.. It is almost' three years since the outbreak of war in Korea—almost..two years since Major General O’Donnel, Chief of the American Air Command,-said that he had ‘been up and down the whole peninsula and found it a “mess—nothing left standing”. === [PDF page 270] === -..,1 should like to ‘clasp the hands of our brave Korean and Chinese friends who are bearing the brunt of the struggle today. I should like to tell you how our Canadian women organised meetings and came for many miles to hear the Korean report and to see the pictures... 5 Wi: ,.,Thank you again for the great opportunity you have given. me to play a small part in this great fight for peace. ... Success to the World: Congress of Women.” Mrs, Mary Austin Endicott, from Canada, who-could not attend our Congress, Said she. would have wished to.share our work “in strengthening the bonds between women’ of all countries,so that, linked firmly together, we may. build the. kind of world that mothers know is necessary for the fulfilment of our dreams”. Mrs. Fassbinder; trom’ West Germany, also eagerly sent us her greetings: “I wish to greet our fine Congress, not being able to attend. I support your decisions which will help peace both in. political life and*in hearts and families.” Mrs. Germaine Hannevard from Belgium, who took part in thé Investigation Commission in Korea, told us “I am. with you in thought and send you my most ardent wishes for the success of the work of the Congress and the triumph of peace in the world”. 3 The President of the Union of Lebanese ‘Women, Mrs. Heneine Taceba, writes: “We are sorry our Association will not be able to take part in the Congress. While ‘thanking you for your invitation, please receive our best wishes.” In a recorded greeting, Mrs..Tomi Kora, the Vice-President of the Federation. of Japanese Women and a Member of Parliament states: “From four small islands of Japan, (from this Far Eastern corner, I send you dearest greetings of love and gratitude for the success. of the World Congress of Women. We Japanese women are determinedly fighting against any attempt to bring war to any part of the world,’ Mrs. Agnes Stapledon, the Vice-President of the International Women’s Léague for Peace and Freedom, sent her best wishes for success. Vera Semmens, the General | Secretary of the International. Women’s: Co-operative Guild also sent wishes for good | Success to the Congress and its constructive work to answer the peace aspirations of all women and all mankind. ‘: Many. individual’ letters reached the Congress and we are sorry that it is» not \ possible to publish more of them. They all.expressed joy at the holding of this Congress and confidence that it will help solve the many problems which face women concerning bread, liberty, democratic rights and peace. === [PDF page 271] === CONTENTS 5 As One for Equality, Happiness and Peace’..3.........:.. a Mrs. Ruth Hermann welcomes the delegates in the Name of the Danish Preparatory Committee for the Congress..............:..5-5 Madame Cotton, President of the W.1.D.F., opens the Congress First’ Report: “The Struggle for the defence of the rights of women as mothers, workers and citizen,” Given by Dr. Andrea Andreen......0:...2.-:2000 hace Second Report; “Summary of the achievements and perspectives of the actions of women in defence of peace and the interests of women and children.” Given by Madame Eugenie Cotton Extracts from the Delegates’. speeches...,.....0005...5 Long Live the Unity and Friendship of the Women of. the: Whole World! — ‘Closing speech, given by Madame Cotton...... 250. 74-249 Appeal to the Women of the Whole World. 252: Declaration on the Rights of Women 254, Resolutions 256 | The Officers of the W.I.D.F. 257-259. The Secretariat of the W.LD.F. 260 The. Control ‘Commission 260 The Council of the W.1LD.F. 261. The Executive Committee of the W.1-D-F. 264 h Messages to the Congress: 266 List of Contributions of Delegates (in alphabetical order of country): Pages Albania. 198. Algeria 154 Argentine. 162-163 Australia 126 Austria’.... 170-171 Belgium 136 Bolivia 183: Brazil 110—111 British Guiana 89 Bulgaria 194. Burma oo) TBR Chile 176 China. 1 98—L00 Costa Rica 134 “Cuba 148 Cyprus 121 €zechoslovakia Denmark...-.-:...: Bevan «oi. fedeve ieee icve-arcest Gigs “i === [PDF page 272] === Egypt.: Finland.) 151152 OoRranee io..n 2: 165-167. French Guinea 117 Germany 20-92 Gold Coast (Report sent to Congress) 239 Great Britain. 94—97 Guatemala 218 Holland... 216—217 Honduras... 221 Hungary 158-~159 Iceland 209 India 185—188 Indonesia 223 Iran 1677 Iraq 227—228 Italy 232—233 Jamaica.. 98 Japan 210211 Korea (Message read at the Congress).. 240—243 Laos (Report sent to Congress) 235. Lebanon 181—182 Luxemburg. 119 Madagascar (Report sent to Congress).... 237 Malaya (Message read at the Congress). “244 Mexico 205 Mongolia 147 New Zealand.... 201 Northern Ireland 190° Pakistan 207 Paraguay 200 Poland 229—230 Portugal.. 85: Reunion Island. él 213 Rumania v.00... bing 82—83 South Africa 191 Spain 144—145 Syria 225 Trinidad 81 Transjordan.. 179-180 © United States 140—142 Uruguay 156—157 === [PDF page 273] === “International Association of “Democratic Lawyers. international ‘Fede Hee of Resistance Fighters. “World Federation of: Trade Unions. \ Wore, Peete ee veartye === [PDF page 274] === [Cover/decorative page: grey cloth cover with the WIDF emblem (dove over a globe, encircled by the words "Women's International Democratic Federation")]