IVth Congress of the Women's International Democratic Federation, Vienna, 1-5 June 1958

=== [PDF page 1] === CONGRESS OF THE WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION VIENNA, 1.-5. JUNE 1958 / Plenary Session === [PDF page 2] === THE CELLAR Book SHOP 18080 wYomina DETROIT, MICH. 48221 === [PDF page 3] === Wemen's [nt/ IVth CONGRESS OF THE WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION OHIO UNIVERSITY ~ LIBRARY === [PDF page 4] === TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Greetings from Anna Hornik Main Report Extracts of Speeches and material at the Conference Albania 23 Iceland Algeria 25 Indonesia * Argentine 29 Tran ~ Australia 31 Iraq Austria 34 Israel Belgium 35 Italy Brazil 37 ~ Japan British Guiana 38 Jugoslavia 107 Bulgaria 39 ~ Korea 110 = Burma 40 Luxembourg - 112 * Cambodia 42 - Malaya 113 © Cameroons 44 Mexico 115 Canada 47 Mongolia 116 Chile 49 Netherlands 118 ~China 51 Norway 120 Cuba a4 Poland 122 Czechoslovakia 56 Portugal 125 Ecuador 58 Rumania 127 Finland 60 San Salvador 129 France 63 Senegal 131 » French Sudan 66 Spain 132 German Democratic Switzerland 134 Republic 67 Trinidad and Tobago 136 German Federal Tunisia 138 Republic 69 United Arab Republic Great Britain 72 (Syria) 140 Greece 74 Uruguay 142 Guadeloupe 78 USA 144 Guatemala 83 USSR 146 Hungary 85 - Viet_Nam 149 International Centre of Films for Children 153 World Federation of Democratic Youth 154 Greetings from the International Organization of Journalists 157 Manifesto of the IVth Congress 159 === [PDF page 5] === INTRODUCTION ‘ he 4th Congress of the WIDF took place in Vienna from June 5th—10th 1958. It was attended by 305 delegates from 70 countries of all continents, representing hundreds of millions of women. Apart from the delegates there were 39 observers and 29 guests. Delegates from six countries were unable to attend. The number of countries represented, the composition of many delegations and thousands of messages addressed to the Congress reflected the broad ‘repercussion attained by the Congress preparatory work, the world-wide _ character and the constantly growing influence of the WIDF. Bs The central item on the agenda of the 4th Congress was the main report ‘s “The Role and Responsibility of Women to-day and the Tasks of the _WIDF”. It was presented by the President of the WIDF, Madame Eugénie Further items on the agenda included: — adoption of the new constitution of the WIDF 5 report of the auditing commission of the WIDF -— election of the leading bodies and of the auditing commission of the WIDF. ‘ith a view to ensuring a thorough and detailed discussion on the most gent current problems related to peace,,the rights of women and dren, three Conferences were held simultaneously in which all delegates ticipated according to their choice. The themes of these Conferences were following: — “The defence of life” _— “The conditions required for enabling women to fulfil their functions = in society as mothers, workers and citizens” _ — “The right of children and young people to education, and their upbringing in a spirit of peace and internation] friendship”. _ This intense programme of work to which the delegates ardently devoted mselves, characterised the Congress. he discussion around the general report and the work of the Congress whole gave testimony of the ardour and maturity acquired by the lisations and movements of women. It also shows the efforts made to unity of the women in their common aspirations and. struggles. € all, the 4th Congress emphasised the fact of the growing importance === [PDF page 6] === of women as a factor in the life of their respective countries; it clearly showed that everywhere their awareness is continuing to grow and prompting them to take action in an increasingly effective way. The women are contributing a new source of strength to the struggle of the peoples. for peace, prosperity and progress; their. contribution, which could very well become a decisive factor, may be noted on all fronts of the struggle against nuclear weapons, for the independence of their countries or for their own and their childrens’ rights. This publication contains the general reports and extracts from the speeches made at the plenary meetings of the Congress. Three further booklets containing the reports and the contributions to the discussion at the three Conferences mentioned above are also being published. === [PDF page 7] === AUSTRIA Mrs. ANNA HORNIK Chairman of the Vienna Organization of the Democratic Union of Austrian Women opened the Congress have the great honour to welcome you on behalf of the Vienna organiation of the Democratic Union of Austrian Women, the host of this congress. We greet all the women participating in this congress, who have come to ‘ienna from the north, the south, the, east and the west, across big oceans id wide continents, to lift their voice here at this meeting for peace, for women’s rights and for the happiness of children. We are greeting the ‘omen who have already acquired full freedom, as well as those who still have to fight for the most primitive human rights. We welcome all of you wish you to feel as beloved friends and sisters in our midst. We especially greet the Algerian and French women whose. countries are today in the centre of world events. They are threatened by the danger of _ Fascism, and the new situation in their countries imperiously demands the test watchfulness and readiness for defence, also from women. We, the \ustrian women who have gone through the hell of fascism, know that this ieult trial can also be overcome by the unity and solidarity of all ocratic forces. friends, the Austrian women are proud of the fact that our Vienna chosen for the site of this congress. You will learn to love the beauty our city, we are sure of that. Vienna also greeted you last night with opening of the Vienna Festival and presented itself to you in the most willant fight. Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss, too, offered “musical welcome to you. But Vienna is not merely a city of dancers and violonists as an Austrian oet once called it. Vienna is also a city where women and mothers know nuch hardship. That is why this congress arouses the greatest interest among the Viennese and all Austrian women. _; ‘We should not be mothers if we did not think of our children and young le. Children are the flowers of life. But many buds fade ‘even before are able to unfold to full bloom. To make the blossoming possible and lear the way to happy life for our children is one of the tasks of this children are faced with the great danger of the atomic bomb. The nt humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, in a moving appeal recently called the women and mothers of the entire world to struggle against atomic ‘e are proud that our world-wide organization, the W.I.D F., already up the fight against the atomic bomb years ago. S === [PDF page 8] === Dear friends, the Austrian pavilion at the World Exhibition of Brussels represents a bridge. A bridge connects separate things. Couldn’t our Congress also be a bridge, one leading towards unification of all women? Women all over the world desire but the same thing: a happy life to be lived in peace. We, the mothers, all have one thing in common that unites us: we do not want life to be destroyed. Our present modern times with their terrible means of destruction are putting a great responsibility upon women’s shoulders. They demand from us resolute action against the danger threatening all mankind. If we, the women and mothers of the entire world give heed to the call of the times, if we all unite to ward off this terrible threat to mankind, there will be no war, and we, the women and mothers of the world, will have fulfilled our task. === [PDF page 9] === MAIN REPORT Presented by Madame EUGENIE COTTON President of the W.I.D.F. : ear Friends, The opening of the 4th Congress of the W.I.D.F. on June Ist coincides International Children’s Day, which is being celebrated in many coun- This will certainly have a favourable effect on our work. On this festive day, millions of mothers are tenderly watching the happy e in the bright eyes of their children, while we ourselves are filled with deeper love than ever for our own children. Together we feel the force of bonds which unite us with our children, the force of the bonds uniting with mothers all over the world. We feel resolved to do all within our er, so that the hearts of our children may be full of joy, that life may good to them and that they may grow up into happy and useful men 1 a day such as this, all our tasks appear particularly clear to us. é want above all, to preserve the life which we-brought forth; we want e against the gravest danger threatening mankind at the present hour, the horrors of the atomic danger and in order to put an end to wars, all conflicts may be settled peacefully. These are our most cherished tions. ee great tasks, however, should not divert us from the multitude of with regard to the health, education, vocational training and ness of our children, which also require our attention. All women are of the fact that they are responsible to a particularly great extent. all matters regarding children. question arises as to whether we can at present cope with all these onsibilities. That is something to which we should give more serious ation than ever before at this Congress, where we shall affirm that ‘do. not want to be only those to bring children into the world and to for them during their first years. We want to be the teachers and the g light for our sons and daughters. This is an entirely new conception the tasks of a mother to which not only women, but also families and ety must be introduced to in a very large number of countries. all continents and at all levels we want to educate women who are of adapting themselves to the great changes which are at present Place in the world, it is this fact that we wished to propose 4th Congress of the W.I.D.F. in selecting as its main problem “The and responsibility of women in the world today”. === [PDF page 10] === In the main 5e: ada genie Cotton emphasised the role and responsi y <ers, and citizens. === [PDF page 11] === he W.LDF. is today particularly aware of the importance of its role in World. More than ever before it wishes to prove itself worthy of the fidence of women of all continents, by responding fo their hopes and "py efficiently coordinating their efforts. : Tt is clear that in their efforts: women must at all times take into account the particular situation in the countries in which they live and of the seneral situation. That is why to begin with we should give a brief survey this situation. _ World events are at present dominated by two major problems. on the one hand there is the atomic problem with all the implications sing with regard to human destiny from the use of atomic energy and utilization of the other remarkable discoveries of modern science; on the other hand there is the legitimate striving of the peoples for nomic independence, as emphatically underlined by the Afro-Asian idarity Conference held in Cairo, and subsequently by the Conferences Accra and Tangier. =, “These two main problems and the developments which they have brought will be studied in the course of the conferences to take place within Congress. In this report I shall above all emphasise the aspects of these lems which concern women of the world who are pre-occupied with task of finding a solution to them. bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945 and the deadly radio- - fall-out foliowing the explosion of the H-bomb in 1954 were terrible ences for the Japanese people, and made them painfully aware of duty to warn the world of the atomic menace. the last three years an (international commitee against A and H, composed of scholars and outstanding personalities of world renown. e of informing and influencing public opinion and governments, have ‘a meeting each year on August 6th in a Japanese town. en women representatives of the Japanese people are touring the to make known the horror of the atomic menace. Their voices have joined by those of travellers who have visited Hiroshima and obtained idea of the cruelty of a disease which dealt brutal blows to some is maliciously creeping upon others claiming its victims twelve years the bombs were dropped. Cl easing numbers of scholars, physicists and biologists are protesting gain it the production and testing of bombs, which to an alarming degree the quantity of radioactivity in the air, the rainwater, the grass since Frederic Joliot-Curie first stated that he would work only for peaceful use of atomic energy, thousands of other scientists and scholars ‘Made similar declarations. And-yet atomic armament is being continued. are still carried out and in several countries launching sites for Missiles are being set up. Bombers carrying nuclear weapons are sing the sky and we are at the mercy of errors and accidents, such as cently witnessed in America, where eight rockets exploded at the same | Was a miracle that no more than seven people were Killed. Peoples everywhere are on the alert; and eversince March 31st-when viet government unilaterally decided to stop thermonuclear tests, === [PDF page 12] === protests and demonstrations have become increasingly powerful in all countries, especially in Great Britain and America, who both possess the bomb. Doctor Schweitzer, a great benefactor of mankind, who had devoted his life to curing leprosy in Equatorial Africa, has called upon the peoples of the world to intensify their protests, and in his last message he called upon mothers to make their voices heard. Numerous protests have already been made by women’s organisaions at international meetings, and we have all been moved by the forceful appeal of Mrs. Lueders, senior president of the Bundestag, who said among other things: “Women, do not wait to be called upon once more to tend the wounded, to put out fires and to bury the dead! Be the active conscience of the living!” At the present moment the most effective gesture which could be made in reply to Dr. Schweitzer’s appeal would be a massive, simultaneous action taken by all women directed towards the Security Council, and International Children’s Day on June 1st would seem to be particularly fitted to give such a gesture its full significance. I have made this proposition myself to various well-known women and to women’s organisations. I renew the proposition here today, in the conviction that a letter like the one I am going to read to you, signed by, the representatives of more than 200,000,000 women from all continents, members and non-members of the W.LD.F., can be an effective contribution towards saving human lives and human values. From the delegates of 76 countries representing more than 200 million women: To the President of the Security Council — Throughout the world women have been profoundly moved by the outcry of alarm of the Japanese people and the solemn warnings of numerous Scientists against the atomic danger. In the name of the life which they give and defend, in the name of the great responsibility manifested on June 1st, International Children’s Day, we entreat you, Mr. President, to use your high authority with the govern- — ments possessing the atomic bomb and thermo-nuclear weapons, in order } that they may, as the Soviet Government has already done, immediately | suspend the nuclear tests now taking place. Your very respectfully, 4 Eugenie Cotton, President of the W.I.D.F. The other event which modified the relations between states the world over is the struggle and successful attainment of an every growing number of countries for their independence. There was a time when navigators from Europe disembarked in distant lands and made them subservient to their own country. It was in this way that those states which possessed a powerful fleet, such as Holland, Great Britain, France, Spain and Portugal have been able, since the 15th und 16th centuries, to amass colonies from which they have derived great riches. In the course of war the colonies changed their European possessors: one sees for instance that in the 18th century India and Canada passed out of the hands of France into those of Great Britain. 12 === [PDF page 13] === at the end of the 18th century an important British colony. helped by e won its independence and gave birth to the United States of ica. During the whole 19th century the states of South America were g themselves from the yoke of Spain and Portugal. ‘This march towards liberty has continued, and it has received great > gement in Asia from the magnificent example of the Chinese people. the same way, long heroic struggle ended in the liberation of parts of ea and Viet-Nam. ‘India won her independence from the British yoke peacefully. Under the difficult conditions Indonesia has shaken off the Dutch yoke. ite recently, the immense continent of Africa has been swept into the current of liberation. a has ceased to be a British dependency, Tunisia and Morocco are French protectorates. At present the Algerian people are struggling pendence and we have reached a decisive point in this dramatic The confusion of contemporary events emphasises: the terrible lexity of the Franco-Algerian problem in the eyes of the world. it is not only political independence that the peoples are claiming at ent; many countries, apparently free, are in fact subjected to terrible ic pressure: this can be seen in the Middle East and South America. where politically and economically oppressed people are trying to themselves. participation of women is of the greatest importance to all these es. And it can be seen everywhere that the liberation of their country y followed by their real emancipation. This was eloquently shown great Afro-Asian Conference which took place in Cairo in December One can say that it made evident for Africa and Asia what is currently _all the world over “the emancipation of women”. , Mrs. Rameshwari Nehru, was elected chairman of the confed played a great part there, and problems concerning the conditions in Africa and Asia occupied an important place in all the ms and resolutions. 2 resolutions passed corresponded to the desires of the women of the es which are still dependent as well as of those in the countries which recently won their independence, and who are working actively to the status of women, to combat epidemics and to fight illiteracy. dy the women of Tunisia, Ghana and Egypt have made great progress. India, the National Federation of Women is engaged in informing S and wives about their possibilities and rights, and active members liament are getting the necessary laws passed to make their efforts 8reat courage and in spite of many difficulties, the Indonesian ’s Movement has succeeded in considerably improving the material ‘al lives of women and children. The example of the women of the tepublics of Viet-Nam, Korea and China is a great encouragement Tt is wohderful to follow in the important report given by Madame n at the 3rd Congress of the Women’s Federation of the People’s of China in September 1957, the progress made in all spheres since of the Republic. === [PDF page 14] === Great encouragement has been given to the women of the whole world by — the example of the Soviet women. Those of us who had the privilege of attending the Seminar on the rights of women in. Moscow in 1956, were — able to judge the important positions which Soviet women hold in the: political, social, economic and cultural life of their country and the high positions which are open to them. The various delegations which have visited Poland, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia have also ~ had many opportunities of meeting women ministers, workers in the fields; and factories, directors of factories and laboratories, chairmen of collective farms, ete. Meeting with more. difficulties, but with firm steps, the women have } continued to advance in all the other countries as well. And only recently ~ in Great Britain, Professor Harland declared that the advancement of women. was, in his eyes, the most striking event that he had seen in the ~ course of his career. The same is the case in all the other countries of Europe and America, and when looking through an Italian or French magazine, or one issued in Argentina, Chile, Canada or the United States, one frequently comes across women’s signatures who have the highest university titles, and titles in the field of science, medicine, law, industry or politics. There is no doubt that the part played by women in the world today has everywhere grown more important. And now the question arises: What has been the role of the W.I.D.F. in this important advancement of women? 3 Right from the beginning, the W.I.D.F. has worked to participate in this advancement. not with a view to helping only a select few to rise socially, but with the principal aim of preparing all women to play with dignity the ~ three fundamental roles assigned to them in the modern world, the role of mother, worker and citizen. This is a fascinating task which requires a lot of love. So many women — are worn down by their daily worries, that we must first of all find a way to their hearts by giving them the support of our solidarity and friendship. In helping them with their difficulties we give them~confidence in their own possibilities (which they very often are not conscious of themselves). and in the course of enlarging these possibilities, we help to unite them with other women. Nothing convinces them more than concrete results, mutually obtained. For instance, it would be of immeasurable value to help mothers, who live in a little village away from all medical help, to organise — a collective action to obtain a telephone box for their village, so that they can quickly obtain medical help should the case arise. In this spirit, the Union of Italian Women has done much for the advancement of women by denouncing the laws which victimized thousands, of women employed in picking olives in the South of Italy, and obtaining a modification of these laws. The initiatives taken in some countries and brought to the knowledge of women in other countries, by means of the publications of the W.I.D.F., oF by the review “Women of the Whole World”, can inspire them in theil efforts to bring about further improvements. We should attach great importance to the press of the W.I.D.F., and especially to its magazine. which helps to establish contacts between the women of all countries. 14 === [PDF page 15] === different countries resulting in improvements in our review; that is y important because such a review permits the most isolated women have cordial and instructive contacts with other women. and opens a low to the world for her. Further fruitful contact is made by the exchange of delegations between untries. That is extremely valuable both for the visitors and for the hosts. mfortunately, the difficulties in obtaining visas are a great obstacle. other initiative of the W.I.D.F. is the organisation of international days on this or that subject. Thus in September 1957 study days were in Potsdam on a big social problem: the protection of motherhood: only recently, in Berlin, delegations from a dozen different countries together-to discuss the problems of the education of youth. mportant meetings have béen arranged which sometimes go far beyond scope of the W.I.D.F. This was the case at the International Conference the Defence of Children, held in Vienna in 1952, which united mothers. rs and teachers of the whole world. On that occasion the rights of the en of the world to life, health and" happiness were recognised. We id, without doubt, still learn from this conference, whose symbol was smiling children, yellow, black und white, all, three seeming to undernd each other wonderfully well. recently, in Lausanne, at the World Congress of Mothers in July 1955, W D.F. called on all the women to defend their children against war. e than 1,000 women from 66 countries took part in this congress. That One of the most beautiful moments in the life of our association, when re able to: measure the great strength created amongst the women g the love they have for their children, the responsibility which lerhood gives them and the necessity to unite to prevent war. In addition to these special meetings, the W.I.D.F. calls its national organit each year to prepare big meetings on the 8th March to celebrate ational Women’s Day. On this day women express their demands of ent and seek together the means of satisfying them. Lastly, the | work. The meeting of the bureau of the W.I.D.F. twice a year. g of the Council every year, and the Congress every three or four and the documents issued by these meetings, circulated widely by our € secretariat, enables permanent help to be given to the women of hole world, they are invited to take definite action, in short, provided constant inspiration. The W.I.D.F. can, therefore, be justifiably proud part it has played in the emancipation of women now taking place y continent. the question is raised: what is expected of the W.I.D.F. at the it of its 4th Congress? must we do here to live up to these expectations? €apparent from all the suggestions which have been sent in by the organisations, that it is necessary to create conditions for the of 1958, which will permit her to fulfill her duties defined by the S: mother, worker and citizen. St remember that less than a century ago, the normal opinion in 15 === [PDF page 16] === the world was, that the woman was destined to be a mother and housewife, that it was unnecessary for her to study or learn a trade, or take part in the public life of her country. Today facts have proved that women are capable of studying, of having a profession or of bearing the responsibilities of community life. If we are not mistaken the women of 1958 does not love her children any less than the woman of 1858. On the contrary, she has a more exalted conception of her role as a mother, which she does not wish to limit to simply bringing her children into the world and caring for them during their first years. Certain governments have already understood this. As Madame Kovrigina, Minister of Public Health in the U.S.S.R. recalled in the course of a conference during the Seminar on the Rights of Women in September 1956, that since its inception the government of her country had proclaimed that the protection of mothers and children was a fundamental obligation of the state. The 90 participants at the Seminar who had come to Moscow from 39 countries of the world and who belonged to widely diverging women’s organisations, had been able to see how the women workers in the town and in the country are given effective help through the existence of numerous creches and nurseries. The W.1.D.F. should apply itself to this problem which is of vital importance to the life of women in all countries. As Madame Teresa Gallo so clearly put it: “The appearance of a new being, even although it needs its mother’s milk, its mother’s care and sacrifices, is not a private phenomenon which concerns the mother exclusively.” A new being is an addition to the riches of the human family. If nature — has bestowed on woman the privilege and the task of ensuring the propagation of the species, it has also provided her with other capacities and qualities; today the social structure must help her to establish her position as a citizen, allowing her to be mistress of her destiny on an equal footing with all citizens; to choose between being solely the guardian of the family, concerned with the interests of the home, or becoming at the same time an active unit in the world of labour, of study and of politics, fulfilling both functions — that of woman and of mother — without one excluding the other. That is a fundamental problem of great importance for woman, for children and for the nation. The W.I.D.F. should energetically support woman’s right to work, a right - which gives her economic independence, is a factor in her emancipation and guarantees her dignity. Through work she takes part more directly in social © life and her activity in the home increases with regard to her husband and children. It is only just that women should have the same opportunities as men for becoming qualified workers. They should also, when they have proved their capability, have access to responsible posts in the sphere of politics. Dr. Andrea Andreen was right to stress in a recent article in “Women of the Whole World” that the W.I.D.F. has not given sufficient attention to this question. It would be of great 16 === [PDF page 17] === ortance to have in parliament women who are resolved to propose and port laws which will improve the status of women and who would be y to act effectively for peace. We should therefore strive to improve omen’s representation in the United Nations Organisation. In the first place it is cruel and unjust that a woman is not able to develop cording to her aptitudes the same as a man. It is no longer necessary for to remain an inferior being, a worker or a second-class citizen in any try. We must make an end to the discriminations which condemn many women than men to illiteracy, which restrict their professional velopment and which prevent them from pursuing the trade of their choice. his central problem, this new conception of the role of women will be special theme of one of the three conferences planned for the present gress, with the title “The creation of conditions which will enable nan to fulfil her role in society as mother, worker and citizen.” thermore, a conference of the rights of children and youth to education the spirit of peace and friendship between peoples is also planned. is is one of the problems which most concerns mothers at the present lime. Often, owing to the fact they were prevented from studying the ibjects they would like to have studied they feel a sort of revenge in being - to provide their children with education. ley know for example that in modern life illiteracy is a real handicap we must hasten to remedy, this is as equally important for girls as for boys. In the family the mother ought to be the first person to ion equal rights for women by putting their daughter on an equal g with their sons, and by not shielding the boys from those thousand y household chores which are usually reserved for the girls. h the rapid progress of science, the level of knowledge of both men ‘women should rise constantly. In the 18th century for example there occupation which demanded a knowledge of electricity, but now it be impossible to cope with modern appliances without some elementions of electricity. The modern man and women ought to know itomic energy comes from, why it is important, what benefits it could v¥ on humanity and what terrible dangers it could cause. in order to explain to their children what a sputnik is, mothers will ‘to understand the laws of mechanics and the properties of new fuels, el of knowledge of the simplest man will have to be raised conti-. So the women are quite right to demand that their children, both and girls, should have the right to education. More they learn themselves, the better will they be able to guide ‘children in the choice of study according to their aptitudes and with pation they hope to pursue afterwards. It is often the mothers who the latent talents of their children. Many writers have recognised Mothers are right to demand the setting up of parents’ associations encourage collaboration between parents and teachers. It is of prime e for # teacher to know what sort of family surroundings a child and it is also good for the parents to be able to ask the teachers concerning the work and conduct of their.sons and daughters at its and teachers clear up each others’ problems. Oblem which is of special concern to mothers is the education SOP OP sw? AG a WS A 17 === [PDF page 18] === of their children in order to develop in them the love of peace. It has often been said that history books are filled with accounts of war which stimulates the children’s imagination and gives them the impression that their country was always right in its conflicts with other countries. Currently a great effort is being made to giving more place in the text-book to exploits for peace rather than to exploits in war, and to bring more objec- — tivity into the judgements. However, as long as states do not settle their — differences by negotiation instead of by war, children brought up in a spirit of peace will have great dificulty in standing their ground. The painful position of conscientious objectors in many countries at the moment is well known and it is obvious that it is the mothers first obligation to protect — them from war. A third conference will deal with just this great problem of peace. which is so vital to women. Now that science has placed fabulous sources of energy into the hands of mankind, it is more urgent than ever to prevent wars where modern weapons are used, powerful enough to destroy entire countries. Japanese women scholars will give you testimony of the atomic bombings and of the evil effects of nuclear experiments, and you will be in a better position to understand the urgency of supporting the great initiative of the Soviet Union in its unilateral decision to dispense with atomic tests. Great Britain and the United States must be urged to take similar steps without delay. The women of the whole world have enthusiastically weleomed the courageous ~ march. for peace carried out recently by thousands of British men and women to one of their large nuclear research stations. At present we have been able to note no less spectacular demonstrations by young Americans, followed by letting off harmless children’s balloons, with the declaration that this was better than the releasing of bombs and atomic missiles. We know the way in which the Norwegian and Danish governments have already opposed the establishment of atomic rocket launching sites upon their soil. Impressive gatherings have taken place in Germany, Italy and France, some of them with an international participation, and always with a large percentage of women present, who called upon their governments to follow the examples of Norway and Denmark. All women consider the suspension of nuclear tests as an important step towards disarmament and place great hopes in the plans for convening a Summit Conference, which seems to be within sight. The right of the peoples — to self-determination must be universally respected and recognised, if disarmament and an end to all wars is to be achieved. No one can turn | back the wheel of history. Bismarck’s old principle that “Might is Right” should no longer have any meaning in the twentieth century, and peaceful © solutions should be sought for all disputes everywhere, which is what the English did in India. Our sisters in all countries know that the people of France and that French women in particular deplore the frightful war which — has steeped Algeria in a bath of blood and they works indefatigably to — hasten its end. We hope that a happy solution will be found to the tragedy which is disturbing Algeria and France so profoundly at present.; In the midst of their worst difficulties the people of France are once more prepared to affirm their support for the Republic. 18 === [PDF page 19] === these difficult times which deeply affect the whole world, the WIDF ly reaffirms its desire to work with all its strength in the defence of.. It should be more closely linked to the world peace movement than before and should contribute to forming, along with this movement, powerful public opinion in favour of disarmament and the peaceful existence of the peoples. These two themes will be discussed at the World Congress which will take place in Stockholm, starting July 16th next, and hich I hope will be attended by many women. At each of the three planned conferences, the women of all continents put forward their points of view, and we hope that the delegates will de themselves up equally between the three meetings so that we may able to carry out work of really world-wide significance and so that the cuments worked out may also be of universal value. We also hope that y delegate and observer will participate in the conference of her choice. many questions are on the agenda of each conference that we cannot ly hope to settle them all within a day and a half. We consider that one of these conferences should outline a programme of work which d be carried out within the three permament international commissions ich will continue to function between the congresses in co-operation with e Secretariat. xe) several years the Secretariat of the W.I.D.F. has been responsible for ‘studying of the problems relative to the three great tasks of the W.I.D.F., the protection of children, the winning of women’s rights and the ice of peace. The three commissions set up for this purpose have already very good work. But it is desirable to set up new commissions of a ich broader character and including persons who do not necesarily live Berlin, who may or may not be members of the W.I.D.F. and who are y interested in one or another of our tasks. conferences which are to be held during the Congress could propose ary session to elect the members of the new commissions. It would enrich the work of the W.L.D.F. if we could benefit from the help specially qualified women from various countries and various nisations. ‘It is a major concern of the W.L.DF. (especially since the Council meeting ch was held in Peking, April 1956), to extend its activity by collaborating h further well-known figures and with further organisations. national activities on these lines are particularly encouraging. For ince, nine women’s organisations, including seven national sections of ational organisations, met in Milan last October to discuss the problem ‘equal pay for equal work” and since then they have continued to borate actively. S another example, the Soviet Women’s Committee recently received a from members of certain international organisations including the Open the Belgian section of the Women University Graduates, and is a visit from representatives of the Women’s International League and Freedom. the same end in view, this same Council meeting in Peking decided a change in the Constitution in order to widen the possibilities ty of our work. === [PDF page 20] === I am not going into the change of the Constitution’ here, because that will be the subject of a special report, which will be given to you by Mme, Carmen Zanti, General Secretary of the W.I.D.F. In conclusion, dear friends, I would like to emphasise the fact that we have come here, delegated by hundreds of millions of women of all the continents, conscious of the great responsibility put upon us, we are resolved to work with all our strength so that the Fourth Congress of the W.I.D.F. will clearly define the present tasks of women, and the way in which these can be accomplished with an ever increasing efficiency. We are living in an epoch of great change and we understand that this change will become more rapid only as a result of the tremendous progress made by science. It is therefore necessary for women as well as for men to adapt themselves quickly and everywhere to the changes in the world, and to contribute to these changes. It is necessary to strengthen the advancement of women everywhere which is so encouraging, but which we know to be still inadequate. We must do all this together. There are at present no problems, either political or economic, which interest only one country and one continent. Our Feredation should therefore underline its characteristic of a big world family, where nothing that concerns women, whatever their race, is not of interest to the women in whatever country they may live. Our greatest success will be found in solidarity, friendship and unity. All human progress is achieved at great cost. We know that already, but today we can see the great difficulties with which the liberation movement is paved. From appearances, the French-Algerian question should concern only two peoples. In fact, it fills the whole world with anxiety. Dear friends, we must’ be courageous. Passing difficulties however dramatic they may be cannot hold up the inexorable march of progress. Let us be confident and work together hand in hand in ever closer unity, for the honour of the W.I.D.F. and for the triumph of the brotherhood of mankind. === [PDF page 21] === Extracts of Speeches and material at the Conference === [PDF page 22] === [Blank page] === [PDF page 23] === ALBANIA Mrs. VITO KAPO President, Union of Albanian Women necessity to unite in the W.I.D.F. and to coordinate our actions has imposed upon us by our most profound human aspirations as women | mothers, in order never again to experience the horrors of war, to fight ether for the realization of the century-old dreams of women to win their s, to protect their children and to enjoy the benefits of a peaceful life. the women of Albania, are in full agreement with the proposals of the report: that atomic energy, that marvellous discovery of our times zed for peaceful purposes; that the great humanitarian move of the Soviet of the USSR regarding the prohibition of nuclear tests be by the United States and Great Britairi who possess these weapons. ‘believe that the activities of the women in the little country of may serve as a living example of what women can accomplish in of peace and with the support of their government. results we have achieved up to now are particularly significant if we e them with conditions of some years ago, when one did not even to mention the word women, when they had absolutely no rights. the very idea of working outside of the house was considered ful, and when honor and morals assigned the house. the kitchen and en as the only field of work for women. sent, after 14 years of people's rule, of freedom and peace, Albanian “make up 30 percent of the workers; they are factory workers, firstagricultural workers in the sunny fields where cotton and fruit is they are engineers, agronomists, honored artists of the Republic. e judges, deputy ministers and Deputies to the National assembly. ancipation of our women has been accomplished in a very short time e they have had the support of the people’s power, which has set itself to transform Albania from a backward agricultural country into n industrial and agricultural country. The women of Albania have wholehearted support to this program because it is clear that pment of their country promotes their own development. iblishment of each factory and each new undertaking has brought real revolution in all fields, and especially in the life of women. Let ample take one of our large enterprises, the textile mill of Tirana. ishment has contributed to the welfare of the people because it a today with more than 20 million meters of cotton. wool and als. === [PDF page 24] === Young Albanians in national costume. Furthermore, on the hills of Kashari in Tirana, new houses for workers have been built, which shelter 9,000 inhabitants the great majority.of whom are women and young girls. These workers, who came to the textile mill, had to go through their apprenticeship and take special courses. Cultural and social institutions have been created. At the textile mill, for example, there exist today six creches, Kindergartens, a hospital with a maternity-ward where all care is provided free of charge, as well as a club, a library, a high-school and a professional school, and many other facilities. In the mill alone there are today as many engineers as there were in all Albania before 1938. There is no unemployment in Albania. On the contrary, we lack workers. Today, when our new industry is equipped with modern plant, we do not only need unskilled workers. but people capable of attending modern machines. The qualification of women has been and continues to be one of the great tasks of the Union of Albanian women. Naturally, the fulfillment of this task is not easy if you consider that 14 years ago 94 percent of all women were illiterate. Thus, the Union of Albanian women had to fight to convince women and young girls of the necessity to go to school and to take courses. The crganization has cooperated with the state organs in order to bring about conditions that would make it easier for women to accomplish their tasks as workers, mothers and housekeepers. In Albania, favourable conditions have been created for general education and for qualification at work. As a result schools have been opened where courses can be attended not only in the daytime but in the evening as well. There are evening courses and correspondence courses in every institute of learning, starting with the primary schools right up to the university. The government has recognized the right for women to have a reduced working day at full eight hours pay. To facilitate work for women, 24 === [PDF page 25] === mber of creches, Kindergartens, canteens and laundries is being increased. e request of our organization, the government has decided to grant nion of Albanian Women the right to participate in discussions on projects dealing with building construction, commerce. industry. Union’s representative also gives frequent advice as to the creation facilities concerning the life and work of women and undertakes ide women workers. Under these conditions it also becomes one of ponsibilities to bring. women into responsible positions in the field ire and economy. women of Albania who are linked with the Arab peoples and the gen of Arabia by traditional bonds of friendship forged in the course story, greet on the basis of this friendship and solidarity, the struggle Arab peoples, including their women, for the attainment and the jon of their national independence and their democratic liberties. deep sympathy we have followed the struggle of the Algerian and have responded with great enthusiasm to the campaign to aid dren of Algeria. ‘women of our country have also welcomed the struggle for national of the people and the women of Aden, of Lebanon, of Indonesia tuba who have risen against fhe colonialists. ALGERIA Mme. MAMIA CHANTOUF delegate of the Algerian National Front of Liberation 1 deeply moved as I take the floor here to speak to you all, to the of the world assembled within the great Women’s International Federation. I have.been charged by the women of Algeria to out their sufferings, their courage, their firm belief in the cause yolution in which they are taking part, and of their ardent hope the speedy liberation of their country from the yoke of colonial thanks to the valiant struggle waged by our people, united by Liberation Front. Oppressed and plundered. tormented and xploited for over 120 years by French colonialists, and after S had failed to acquire the right to which all human beings are bY peaceful means, the Algerian people decided to liberate itself by S from a régime of robbery, starvation and humiliation. independence rising began on November Ist 1954. On that same day the beration Front issued the well-known “Proclamation to the 25 === [PDF page 26] === Algerian people and to all supporters of the National Cause”. In response to this appeal all existing national organisations, political parties, social, women’s and youth organisations rallied together in the National Liberation Front; since 1955 the Algerian people has been engaged in a regular national war against the French army and the régime which it defends. All women of Algeria without exception — in towns and villages intellectuals and illiterates, and even some Europeans, Catholic students and Communists — are taking an active part in the struggle of national liberation. Fighting as soldiers in the National Liberation army, they are taking part in the war in the same way as the men. In addition they are doing valuable work in the auxiliary services of the armed forces as liaison officers, where, particularly in the towns, they are risking their lives all the time, breaking through police cordons; they are in the medical services as doctors and nurses, attending and comforting the wounded. At the same time they look after the local population in the environment of their group. In the country, women are self-sacrificingly accomplishing an enormous task; while the soldiers rest after battles and frequently after foot-marches of 70 to 100 kilometres a night, the women stand on guard, ready to give warning at the least sign of danger; they wash the soldiers’ laundry and prepare their food, so that they can leave as soon as the night sets in. Very often the transportation of arms also lies in the hands of women. As active fighters in the struggle of liberation, women have been massacred together with old people and children in the course of raids which swept across entire regions. Algeria. Nurses of the National Liberation Army help the population. co ee ee ee ee ee Pere eae td "kia, wen Oat ae ae eae ae an pea” ea as pet a ae ee a a === [PDF page 27] === The example of Djamila In the face of imprisonment, tortures, violations and death sentences they _have shown magnificent courage, dignity and self-denial. I should like to quote three example to demonstrate this noble attitude on the part of Algerian women in this struggle. The most widely known of them all is that of the young national heroine Djamila Bouhired. Wounded by the blast of a machine gun, while establishing a liaison, Djamila was arrested and horribly tortured for 17 days. These are her words of complaint before her judges: “... From the moment I arrived in hospital I was constantly questioned by several persons, among them a captain, three police inspectors and three parachutists with red berets. They did not hesitate to hit me with their fists in order to make me talk. One day a tall, fairhaired lieutnant with white glasses confronted me unclothed, with the three policemen and two parachutists with red berets, he assaulted me in an inde- _eent way and said that he would send me a Senegalese who had on several ‘occasions dealt with Musulman women. I tried to shake him off with my one intact arm. Thereupon he beat me on my wound, which made the others laugh. During the night from April 17th—18th the three captains and two parachutists took me away, dragged me into a car blindfolded and drove -me off in an unknown direction. I suppose that the house where they stopped is not far from the airport of Maison Blanche, as I heard the sound of aircraft engines throughout the night. I was taken into a room and ‘beaten. Then the three captains and the two parachustists took off all my clothes and tied me to a bench, placing wet rags on my wrists, arms, “abdomen, thighs, ankles and legs. They then fixed electrodes to my sexual organ, ears, mouth, the inside of my hands, to the ends of my breasts and to my forehead. At three o’clock in the morning I fainted and then became delirious. On the 18th during the day I was again beaten up, and then they fixed an iron wire around my big toe and passed an electric current through it. On the 19th the tortures continued and my wound reopened completely. Every time one of parachutists was operating the other was taking notes while one of the captains, a small, chestnut-haired man with an Algerian accent was questioning me. On the 21st I was taken to El Biar to the prison of the regiment.” After a scandalous fake trial Djamila was condemned to death. Facing the judges ‘who were about to sentence her, she exclaimed: “Gentlemen, I know that you will sentence me to death, because those whom you serve are thirsting for blood. And yet I am innocent. The truth is that I love my country. that I want to see it free and that I therefore approve of the struggle of the National Liberation Front. It is only for this reason that you will sentence me to death after having tortured me, just as you killed my brothers Ben M’Midi, Boumendjel and Zeddour. But while killing us, do _ hot forget that you are at the same time assassinating the traditions of liberty of your own country, that you are compromising its well-being and endangering its future, and that you will not prevent Algeria from becoming independent. Inch’ Allah.” === [PDF page 28] === The women of the whole world were moved by the dignity of Djamila_ Bouhired, by her extraordinary tenacity and her courage to smile in the - face of death; they protested to the French Government through the intermediary of their governments, and Djamila’s sentence was commuted to harg labour for life. I should now like to tell you about another Algerian woman whose courage and confidence have called forth our admiration. Some of you will certainly remember her. It is doctor Néfissa Hamoud who took part in the Council meeting in preparation of the World Congress of Mothers in Geneva; she was general secretary of the Association of Mussulman Women in Algeria, of which I had the honour of being president. Two months after that meeting, in February 1956, she was sought by the police for her” activities in the Algerian Red Crescent, and joined the maquis, where she did medical work among the fighters and the population. Arrested for the first time in January 1957 in the woods of Kabylie. she was released on probation after three weeks of detention. She used this freedom to rejoin the maquis and continue her medical work in the National Liberation army, Unfortunately she was arrested a second time on November 26th 1957 in the course of a battle in the region of Bordj Ben Avrenidj, not far from the Tunisian frontier. She was not commiteed for trial before the end of January 1958, two months after her arrest. No-one knows what happened to her during these two months. Condemned to a term of 6 months’ imprisonments the first time, she is due to be sentenced anew any day. j In the course of the same struggle Raymonde Peschard was killed; she was a Communist fighting in the National Liberation Front, whose destiny was for a long time shrouded in mystery (her death had been announced and subsequently denied by the press). In fact Raymonde Peschard, who had joined the National Liberation army after her disappearance, was murdered on November 26th 1957. I said she was murdered — and these™ were the circumstances under which she died. In the course of a tour around the region where they were looking after the population, the medical unit to which she belonged was attacked by French soldiers. There was a” fight in which she was taken prisoner together with doctor Néfissa Hamoud, doctor Lalliam and the nurses Louise Abtouche and Danielle Minne. In the village to which they were taken a few minutes after their arrest the soldiers assaulted the population with their usual brutality. At the sight of a French soldier beating an old man with a stick, Raymonde Peschard exclaimed: “Coward! You should beat those up there. not this innocent man!” These were her last words. She was mowed down by a machine gun. Dear friends! By these three examples I wanted to give you an idea of the passion and confidence which inspire our people in its struggle for liberation. The war which was forced upon us is an unjust war; it is unjust for our people and dangerous for our fraternal neighbouring countries: Tunisia and Morocco, whose so dearly won independence will remain fictitious as long as the war lasts in Algeria and as long as the French forces have not bee! evacuated from their territories. This is proved by the numerous frontie incidents and particularly by the frightful bombing of Sakiet. The war in Algeria is also a danger for world peace, The French ‘people who were for a long time inactive with regard to this war which has ruined and dishonoured them, have woken up with a shock. Starting from === [PDF page 29] === the fascist movement has reached France and is about to seize Fascists all over the world are rejoicing and raising their heads. the French people be able to say “NO” to fascism? Will they be able “NO” to the Algerian war which allowed the fascists to come to 2 Will they be able to set up a government capable of recognising ght to independence of the Algerian people, and of opening negotiations the National Liberation Front? immediate future will give the answer. In the name of Algeria women fighting and suffering for a future ice and happiness; in the name of all those who have perished fighting torture and in massacres, I should like to launch an urgent appeal men and mothers all over the world to take action for peace and onal independence in Algeria, to make an even greater effort so that r solidarity might become increasingly apparent with every day. I should o launch a desperate appeal on behalf of hundreds and thousands of s, women, children and old people who fled from the horrors of nd are living in Tunisia and Morocco in utter destitution. behalf of fighting Algeria I should like to thank you for your support. ARGENTINE Mrs. FANNY J. DE EDELMAN General Secretary of the Union of Argentine Women is the first time that an Argentinian delegation can legally attend ngress of the W.I.D.F. This happy event is one of the fruits of the victory of the democratic forces in February 23rd 1958. “The people or the following programme: to recognise the rights of the masses people to a decent life; to re-establish all democratic rights; to ensure peasant the right to remain on the soil he tills; to defend sovereignity ional independence; to maintain friendship and trade relations with itries. In the pasts years, the Union of Argentine Women strengthened its s and organised activities among the most humble sections of our lespite the fact that it was persecuted and maligned. It was at the of repressive legislation, the peak of which was the creation of the d “Committee for the Defence of Democracy” — a faithful imitation ‘Committee on Un-American Activities” in the U.S.A. was Possible because, even under the worst conditions, our organi- B ae. always be found at the side of the women, helping them to immediate demands satisfactorily: — a reduction in the price the setting up of first-aid stations, ete. These demands we linked decisive problems of the nation: independence, the defence of our 29 === [PDF page 30] === rich oil resources; the condemnation of military pacts; the demand for agrarian reform; the winning of workers’ rights and of democratic liberties, This line of action made it possible for us to explain events to women s9_ that they can understand how closely immediate problems are linked to the great national issues. At the same time it gave us a chance to work together with workers’ organisations, as well as with peasant women’s organisations and others concerned with culture and public welfare. During a big campaign to improve housing conditions for more than 200,000 families living in shanty towns, the fact that we were able to link these demands to the need for a reduction in the war budget made it possible for us to create the basis for a unified mass movement which extended far beyond the limits of our: organisation. At the same time, we became a unifying factor between the various political forces on a local level. They supported our demands and promised to solve this urgent problem as soon as possible. . We agree with Mme. Cotton that we must give our struggle for women’s rights a new impet. Our organisation will become great as it gathers in its ranks the great mass of working women. Our Commission for Women’s Rights is carrying on a great national campaign for the practical application of the principle of equal pay. This principle has recently been included in the National Constitution. The Commission also collaborates with trade unions for the reform of the law on the protection of motherhood. It is asking for thousands of working women, at present deprived of protective legislation to be covered by the application of the’Convention adopted by the International Labour Office. Work among peasant women is one of the constant preoccupations of our organisation. In the course of the last two years we have held four big meetings and friendship rallies with the peasant women, in order to help them get organised and put forward their particular demands. A special Commission deals with this question. The urgent demands raised by the peasant women will be the first step torward the liquidation of the feudal landlord system which exists in ou! country. As long as the land has not been given to the peasants, there will be no solution to the problems of life in Argentine. All the democrati forces understand this and in one form or another include in their programmes the solution of the urgent problem of agrarian reform. The lowering of living costs is a task of fundamental importance in our country, where infant mortality is as high as 20 per cent in some areas and where, as a result of poverty and undernourishment tuberculosis, rachitis and other diseases are prevalent. Prices were raised ten times in ten years without any corresponding increase having been made in salaries. Furthermore, when we condemn the monstrous crime of nuclear tests. we organise and appeal to the mothers at the same time to fight for bread and for the security of their children’s homes, their health and theil education. Our activities in this field tend to be closely linked to those of the trade unions, and other organisations and official bodies countributing te improving the lives of our children. Mme. Cotton correctly stresses the need for closer co-operation with the peace movement. 30 === [PDF page 31] === national level, we are extending our collaboration with the Argentine of Peace. In our country we must strive for the abrogation of y pacts with the United States which are a threat to our sovereignty. pudget has to be reduced. It is seven times as high as the health and six times as high as the educational budget. darity and Friendship all our activities great attention is paid to the question of solidarity. ‘e part in all workers’ strikes in order to aid the families of the n addition, we endeavour to make known the truth about the life of in each country. What is being done by the women of France, Italy, ny and England, in short, the fight for women’s rights all over is known and followed with interest by the women in our country. encourage close contact with all our sisters in Latin America with m we are united in a common struggle for the economic and political n of our countries. Beyond this, we inform our women about the waged by our sisters in North America, making sure to distinguish them and the American government. ntine women love and admire the women of the Soviet Union, of ople’s Republic of China and all the other People’s Democracies. snderstand the value of their victories and the significance of their ghts. peoples of Africa and Asia have won a lasting place for themselves ir hearts. Their fight for independence is our fight as well. feeling of human solidarity and fraternity, fostered by the W.LDF., extended. Only in this way can we aid in the liberation of millions ted and imprisoned women in such countries as Spain,. Greece, a, Cuba and others. us raise and develop this sentiment of solidarity to a still higher this will contribute to strengthening understanding and friendship AUSTRALIA Mrs. MARY LESTER omposition of our delegation includes delegates from two Trade ives’ Commitees — one is the wife of a waterside worker and the Wife of a miner. They have come not only with the support of itees but of the Trade Unions to which their husbands belong. h World Congress is welcomed by the women of our country y need more than ever to give expression to their hopes for a 31 === [PDF page 32] === world free from the drift to nuclear war, because it is truly a world Congress, embracing as it does, women from all social systems and a great diversity of trades, professions and walks of life. The concept that the world is forever and irrevocably divided into two opposing camps with no prospect of ever living peaceably side by side is losing credence in our country. For instance, there has awakened a great curiosity and interest in the socialist countries since a certain little moon started flashing across the Southern Cross last October. Celebrations of- International Women’s Day are held in all the capital cities and many provincial towns in Australia every year. This year they were all marked by references to the Congress. In Melbourne a message of greeting to the Congress was unanimously agreed to by a large gathering at the celebrations..In Wollongong the wife of the Federal Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition publicly expressed appreciation of the Congress. It is necessary for us to present to Congress the true picture in our country regarding the testing of nuclear weapons there. Great indignation has been expressed that the rocket range has been extended right across the continent to the northwest coast. This violates one of the largest reserves set aside for the use of the aboriginal people still in a primitive state. The country is sparse and dry and they must roam widely to satisfy their hunger and thirst. Alarm is expressed that they have no way of knowing when they are in the danger zone. The threat that the United States must also use our country for nuclear weapon tests causes indignation too. The people of South Australia are barred from the use of one-third of their State so that the tests can be made. We want our country to be free of these tests. Action to achieve this is growing every day. Women Protest One of the strongest protests made was by 200 women in Sydney last year. They came from 13 women’s organisations. They walked in the main streets with paper shopping bags carrying slogans of protest — even their children were draped with slogans. They sent a deputation to see Federal members of Parliament who were in Sydney at the time, to put to them their opinion on the continuation of the tests. The women received considerable public support. Melbourne women from several organisations have paraded the streets ence a week in the lunch hour for many months with protests against the tests. In South Austria also, women have made public protests and obtained signatures to petitions in the streets while doing so. Many Australian women feel that the use of our country by foreign powers fcr the testing of nuclear weapon is a national disgrace and an infringement of our national sovereignity. For full rights! More women are working now than at the peak period of the war years. This sharp increase in the number of women workers has led to an increasing awareness of their inferior status as workers and women. The Australian Council of Trade Unions, responding to agitation among the 32 === [PDF page 33] === women, launched a petition to the Federal Government last year, for the ratification of the I.L.O. Convention 10 and to pay wages to all persons employed by it. Mrs Kath Williams, on return from the Budapest Congress. enthusiastically spoke to many meetings in the Eastern States of Australia. and as a result of her activity the Trades & Labour Council in Victoria convened an equal pay Conference last year. Not only women workers but observers from women’s organisations attended. A similar conference was held in Queensland. A hard working and representative Committee in New South Wales has also done much good work during the past few years. All this activity culminated in a national Conference in March last, where representatives came from every State in the Commonwealth. At this Conference many problems confronting working women were discussed, but the main subject was that of equal pay. The Premier of New South _ Wales, while addressing the Conference, promised legislation in that State for equal pay for all State employees. In spite of the fact that many more women are working, mother and child care is not increasing. Australian women were among the first in the world to gain the right to vote. Some of them, since 1898. All white women were given the right to vote in Federal elections with the foundation of Federation in 1901. In spite of the right to vote, considerable discrimination still exists against women in State and Local Government. All States, except one, still retain an upper House, and in some the election is by property vote. The same applies in some States in local Government elections. Most women are not property owners as the home is generally in the name of the husband, In the Federal Parliament there are no women in the lower house and only 5 in the Senate or upper House. This shows clearly that even though women have the right to vote and according to the law are equal, in fact considerable pressure is used to keep them from taking a full part in public life. Citizenship to the aboriginal people is only granted after application. Most refuse to apply. Discrimination exists even in those States where they are citizens by law from birth. Always they tend to become unskilled and seasonal workers. Only in very rare instances have they the opportunity to train as apprentices or in the professions. Aboriginal women invariably do only domestic work. However, during the last 18 months it can be said there has been a remarkable change in public opinion. It will not be possible for Government to ignore much longer their demands for citizenship rights and equal wages with whites. Members of the Union of Austrialian Women have tried to make friends with part aboriginal women living on the outskirts of the cities by inviting them to their homes and visiting them. They have also energetically Supported demands to State and Federal Government that these people no longer be denied the right to live as citizens in the country in which they are born. Poor housing, seasonal work, lack of most social services all press heavily on the aboriginal mother and woman. === [PDF page 34] === Women in Austria greet law granting old age pensions and social security. AUSTRIA Democratic Union of Austrian Women Protection of mothers Since 1957 Austria has possessed a law for the protection of mothers which represents a great progress in the protection of the life and health of working mothers. In spite of this we have to point out that infant mortality in Austria and especially in its capital Vienna is extremely high. In Vienna in 1957, 48 of every thousand children born alive died before they were a year old, i.e. 4.8%. One of the reasons for this fact can be found in insufficient medical care of expectant mothers. This unhappy fact could be eliminated by an increase of pre-natal clinics. For years the Democratic Union of Austrian Women has demanded more pre-natal clinics. All doctors emphasize the importance of such clinics. Flats It happens often in Vienna that families with small or even new born children are moved out of their flats. They are then forced to spend the nights in parks, gardens, public squares or even in tents and have to wait a long time before a new flat is provided for them. There are now 62,000 applications for flats filed in Vienna. 34 === [PDF page 35] === efi a i There are more overpopulated flats in Vienna than in the rest of Austria. 44% of all Vienna flats are one-room plus kitchen flats, only 39.9% have the lavatory inside the flat, 56% have running water on the corridor, i.e. outside the flat and only 13.7% of all Vienna households possess a bathroom. In 1956, 24% of all families in Vienna still lived in flats with only one room. The great lack of flats is a further burden for women and mothers as there is not sufficient room for children from birth to school age, in spite of constant demands on this subject by the Democratic Union of Austrian Women. The statistics of a Viennese guild show that at present one out of 10 children of working women are left at home on their own. Girls still have great difficulties in obtaining an apprenticeship, The proportion of young women looking for work as compared to the number of existing apprenticeships is still 3:1. That means that there is only one apprenticeship for every third girl looking for work. The dangers which can arise out of such a situation should not be underestimated. The wages for apprentices as well as the minimum wage for employees do not correspond in any way with the work rendered to society by these young people. The desire of young people to qualify themselves must be looked upon as a positive fact. While between 1950 and 1951 the courses of evening schools were attended by 3,000 young people, between the ages of 14 and 18, already 6,650 attended in 1956. Added to that are the young attendants of evening courses, professional schools and schools preparing for matriculation ete. BELGIUM Mrs. FRANCINE LYNA President, Organization of Belgian Women for Peace and Wellbeing . It has been said often, and it is very true, that the women of the entire world have the same worries, the same preoccupations and the same hopes. That is why a world gathering of this kind, and the exchange of thoughts it permits, without doubt represents a broadening of experience. But the causes for these worries and the conditions for the realization of these hopes are not always the same. In some countries like Indonesia or Argentine, the population is, in the main, agricultural and its fate is intimately linked with agrarian reforms. Other countries are highly industrialized and the women there are victimized by a monster speed-up System. * A strong breeze of independence blows across the Asian and African continents, while the Latin American countries fight against ever more insiduous interference in their own affairs. As far as the West-European countries are concerned, of which Belgium is a part, the situation is different again. Women’s organizations and feminist === [PDF page 36] === sie ACUTE LE Saba Rit ROTEL youll ' sid po seuiaaniiiy 100EE an Celebrating International Women’s Day in Belgium. movements have always existed in great numbers. What is necessary, and this has already been said many times and is very true, is to get out of the isolation in which they found themselves some years back. We must find, and in some instances we have already succeeded in finding, ever new opportunities to take up contacts with these other organizations and to engage in joint action. The threat of the establishment of missile bases affects our country as well. Yesterday, the delegate from Indonesia, speaking at the conference on “What Conditions Must one Create to Permit Woman to fulfil in Society Her Role as Mother, Worker and Citizen”, expressed the wish that a seminar be organized to study specifically the situation of peasant women. We would like to formulate a similar wish, namely that between these world congresses, which take place every three or four years, smaller conferences be organized bringing together those countries that are confronted by similiar difficulties. In the course of these conferences, the solution to a very specific issue or proposal — such as for instance the Rapacki Plan — would be examined, and then in turn receive more specifically the support of our organizations. After having said this, we would like to express our full agreement with the proposals which were made, particularly by the delegate from Hungary. to intensify still further our contacts with each other by enlarging the various delegations as much as possible. These women who, for a few days now, have got to know each other, exchanged photos of their children and spoken of the countries they love, could never again stand the idea of a war. In the friendships they have formed, they will find the strength to tear from the hands of the men the weapons destined to destroy their child or the home of their sister at the other end of the world. 36 === [PDF page 37] === ee RR a ae AMS On .* PTR AHA [Unreadable] BRAZIL Mrs. MARIA PRESTES Chairman, Brazilian delegation We come from an under-developed country, a country which, despite certain indications to the contrary, bears the heavy weight of economic and social injustice, which unfortunately exist in the majority of the countries of the world today. To the hearts of women, these conditions are very painful, especially when the victims who are made to pay for this misery are children. The rate of infant mortality in our country is so high that it is necessary to concentrate all our efforts toward the goal of giving the children of Brazil this minimum right — not to die too young. The problems of lost childhood, lack of care, illiteracy among women and children, the fight against superstitions leading to the refusal of all medical assistance, and above all, the fight against droughts in the North- East, which affect particularly the populations of these regions where poverty and death are tragic partners in a “dance macabre” that robs the country of its most precious element — our young children —, these are the problems that preoccupy the women of my country. The Brazilian people are a warm-hearted people and love peace. All campaigns against war and against A and H bombs are extrememly successful. The whole nation protested in the legislative assemblies, in the press and in the streets against the authorization, given by the government to the Americans, to set up guided missile bases on the coast of the island of Fernandho Noronha.; If we say that woman is the centre of the family, we cannot underestimate her role in a modern world. In accepting our duties as mothers and wives we demand for ourselves also equality in the rights of women in town and countryside — equal pay and access to all jobs — so that we may make our full and conscientious contribution to the life of our country, be it in the family or be it in those social organizations that defend our rights regarding the children and the home. Outside these stated aims, the Federation of Brazilian Women has other tasks: the protection of children in order to obtain for them the best possible conditions regarding their development; the defence of peace, without which the improvement of these conditions is impossible; the unity of all women to win the greatest victories in the fight for the happiness of mankind. === [PDF page 38] === BRITISH GUIANA Mrs. JESSICA HUNTLEY Delegate of the Women’s Section of the People’s Progressive Party On behalf of the Women’s Section of the People’s Progressive Party, [ bring to this Fourth Congress of the W.I.D.F. our warmest greeting. We hope that this great meeting of women will grow from strength to strength and that all its deliberations will be taken to the respective countries, You no doubt would like to know something of our country. British Guiana is the only British possession in South America and first attracted the attention of the navigators in the fifteenth century by the rumours that the streets of its city of Eldorado were paved with gold. Its population is over half a million and is made up of six peoples — Africans, East Indians, Portuguese, Chinese, Aboriginal Indians or Arawks, and Whites. Our history is one of great struggles against poverty and misery and a will to rule ourselves. In 1953 a change came about in our country, a People’s Movement was born and it has consistently championed the cause of all its peoples. In this period women saw a new awakening and the Women’s Progressive Organisation was formed. In 1958 the country held its first election under universal suffrage. Women won the right to vote at the age of 21. Among the candidates for election were three women, one of whom was Mrs. Janet Jagan, who later became the Deputy Speaker in the Legislative Assembly. Then came a period of repression, our country was in a state of emergency, British troops landed, homes were searched, leading members of the Freedom Movement were detained without trial, and many were imprisoned. They threated to halt our Women’s Movement which was spearheading, amongst other demands for women, Social Security for Mother and Child, Natal and pre-Natal Care, the right to be jurors etc. In the field of labour women are employed in nearly every field, but daily, as a result of modern equipment and the lack of capital, women and girls are being replaced by men. Only two months ago domestic servants were drafted into the Compensation Ordinance. Juvenile delinquency is a burning question at the moment. Data from 1956 showed that 620 children and young people were found guilty of offences, an increase of 89 over 1955. The rate of delinquency was 5.57 per 1,000 in 1955 and 5.85 per thousand in 1956. Fully up-to-date data for 1957 is not yet to hand. Our women feel strongly on the matter. The growing number of delinquents is mainly caused by the dumping of comics, bad films and the growing number of un employed young people. 38 === [PDF page 39] === BULGARIA Mrs. RADA TODOROVA President of the Bulgarian Democratic Women’s Committee As was said by our dear President, Mme. Eugenie Cotton, in her report at the last plenary session, and as was stated also by Mrs. Pritt and several other delegates who spoke before “me, the accumulation of radioactive particles in the air due to the experiments with atomic and hydrogen weapons represents a serious danger to the health of everybody and above all to the delicate organisms of our children. Dear friends, the great majority of the delegates present at this Congress are mothers or future mothers and we are perfectly conscious of the grave responsibility incumbent upon us: to safeguard the life and the health of our beloved children, to protect them as well as our homes from destruction More and more we are becoming aware of the immense force which we, _ the women, represent in becoming conscious fighters for the happiness of our children. In the future, we must devote even greater efforts in order that all women may become conscious of their strength. Indefatiguably we must pursue the work of enlightenment, so that every women, regardless of her political opinion, realizes that she must fight for that which she has created, and for the preservation of life. Our friends from Canada, from Australia, from Japan, from Denmark and from other countries have told * us about their various activities among the diffent groups of women and the great successes they have achieved in the fight for peace. We can only express our admiration for these friends and assure them that we stand by their side. We, the women of all countries, must close ranks still more tightly and not give way to any feeling of security until Wwe have succeeded in seeing the experiments with atomic and nuclear Weapons stopped, until these weapons have been banished from the arsenals of all countries, until atomic energy is used exclusively for peaceful purposes. . Our people, our National Assembly, our government have always ‘Supported and continue to support every proposal, every initiative, wherever it may come from, as long as it is designed to strengthen confidence between Peoples and serves to stop the cold war in the interest of peace. -.. We Bulgarian women take a very active part in the efforts of our People to safeguard peace. March 8, International Women’s Day, has become @ regular national festival. This year, too, there has not been one community in our country, however small it might be where the women have not held @ concert in order to demonstrate their solidarity with the women of other countries who also fight for peace and for a happy childhood for their children. === [PDF page 40] === Mrs. DAW MAY THAN TIN Secretary, Burma United Women’s League I am quite sure that the activities of women in Burma and throughout the world are of great importance for the promotion of friendship and mutual understanding among young people, for the preservation and consolidation of peace to secure mankind from the horrors of atomic war. Our women acted courageously and heroically in the struggle against fascism during the 2nd World War. They helped to make the history of their country. They have fought for the independence of Burma though they were ruthlessly and cruelly oppressed by the British colonialists and Japanese Fascists. Burmese women were discriminated against in the age of Feudalism and some are still backward in their knowledge of international affairs. The scourge of the 2nd World War taught us that we must be united if we want to prevent war, and that independence is an absolute necessity. Thus, the activities of our women over many years have helped win many advances and just after the war our women united themselves and participated in the struggles for independence. Many women gained political consciousness and some womens’ organisations were formed on a political basis. They are: — 1) The All Burma Women’s Congress (1945) _ 2) The Burma Women’s Freedom League (1946) 3) The Burma Women’s Organisation (1952) 4) The Burma United Women’s League (1957) Some are formed on a social basis. They are: 1) The Union of Burma Council Women’s Association (1956) 2) The National Council of Maternity and Child Welfare (1954) 3) The Burma Nurses and Midwives Association (1952) 4) The Women and Children’s Welfare Association (1950) The Government has until now trained 707 nurses, 1,852 midwives, 370 women health visitors, 23 public health nurses, ete. This number is too small in comparison with the female population. The mortality rate is still high. Though many schools have been set up they are still insufficient. Hospitals are few in number. Women’s wages are still low. This is due to the defect in economic policy adopted by the Government. SEATO is threatening the independence and sovereignity of our country by supporting KMT robbers inside our territory. 40 === [PDF page 41] === At the present time the Women’s Organisations are divided as a result of the Imperialists’ intrigues, but all Burmese women are concerned over international tensions, the continued tests of deadly weapons, military blocs ‘and bases — all of which threaten peace. . For Peace and Solidarity That is why Burmese women know that the struggle for peace is the most urgent struggle; they participate in country-wide peace movements. We are striving at present to get united action with all women’s organisations in the struggle for peace, to develop mother and child welfare, to protect women’s rights. On behalf of Burmese women we want to voice once again our deep gratitute to the W.I.D.F. for giving us so much guidance since its foundation. | et ee Oe. cri International Womien’s Day being celebrated in Burma. 41 === [PDF page 42] === CAMBODIA Mrs. PUNG PENG CHENG delegate from cambodia In August 1957 Cambodia participated in the Conference on the Development of the Rights of Women in South-East Asia in Bangkok, and expects to take part in the near future in the one organized by the Movement of the Mothers of Paris. It is with special pleasure that the women from Cambodia are represented at this Congress of the W.1.D.F. To all of you who are concerned with this noble idea — the problem of the family, her Majesty the Queen of Cambodia has asked me to express her warm thoughts and her best wishes for your success. Since Cambodia is very far away, it is understandable that its institutions, its moral codes and its customs are not commonly known in the western countries. Permit me to give you a picture in a few words. The empire of Khmer, which covers an area nearly as large as Great Britain has a population of five million. It is a constitutional monarchy operating through a parliament comprising two houses. Polygamy is legal in our country, undoubtedly originally justified in case of the inability of the first wife to give birth to a male child that could perpetuate the name of the family. Actually, the cases of polygamy are very rare in Cambodia (one case in 10,000, or even 100,000). How can we explain this state of affairs? First of all there are the simple habits of the countryside, including a strict economy, that do not induce the husband to complicate a stable and happy family situation. He clearly sees many material and moral difficulties in polygamy. On the other hand the woman. who is frequently very influential, prevents the man from making use of his right. Finally, there is also the influence of the church. Women in Combodia have for some time enjoyed rights and held relatively extended powers in the family. Marriage already shows the respect given to women. The newly wed couple generally live in a house that has been newly built by the husband as his wedding present. A new home is being created and the woman is its mistress. It is always the woman who keeps the money in the family. If she wields the power in the house, she also has very heavy duties, She cooks, sews the clothes for the family, shares in the work in the fields (planting and harvesting), organizes all religious holidays (holidays four times a month, chaul vosa...). Here the woman plays a very important part. It is she really who, on holidays, reunites the whole family and perpetuates the cult of the ancestors. Throughout the centuries, the role of the woman has never ceased to grow in importance. === [PDF page 43] === religious. The sermons of the bonzes clergymen, very frequent at every gious ceremony and accompanied by practical advice, used to exercise a strong influence on women’s education. Today, the Sanz Kum accords the right to vote to women and they are interested in politics. (I myself am a ae ty in the National Assembly). Election participation has reached record ts (more than 90% of the electorate voted) thanks to the women who participate in the elections. Women speak at the National Congress, Political ef ity has been the last stage of the complete emancipation of woman Be cetorin walks side by side with man; unfortunately she has many in the home in addition. Whether in the countryside or in the cities, it is always the woman who watches the family budget, and the wellbeing of the family depends entirely on her. With the appearance of the Popular Socialist Movement of which Prince Norodom Sihanouk is the initiator, woman has acquired the full measure of her civil rights, a reform measure regarding matrimony gives her _ absolutely equal rights with those of the man (a measure regarding separate property). Women participate on all administrative, commercial and industrial levels. _Combodian law makes special provisions in favor of women and children. 4} Social legislation in Cambodia has three essential aspects: the family and ‘the children; old age; medical care. _ The first plays the most important role because the family is honored and respected. Social security provides supplementary allowances for the families to cover their needs and their responsibilities, and at the same time to protect the health of the child and its development under the best possible conditions. _As a delegate from Cambodia I am ready to make my contribution to the work of the Congress and to tell you how strongly the women of Cambodia feel their solidarity with their friends of all countries. Allow me, in closing, to express to you my deep felt thanks forthe warm ‘reception given to me by the Austrian friends and for the inspired thoughts which you have given this Congress, which are so extremely useful for the protection of the happiness of woman and the family. === [PDF page 44] === CAMEROONS Speech by a representative of the delegation from the Democratic Union of Cameroons Women ... We, the delegates from the Democratic Union of Cameroons Women are the only ones here to understand fully the tremendous moral support which our participation in this Congress gives to our comrades who continue the fight at home. We want to thank the W.I.D.F. for giving us the chance to address you from this platform. You have enabled us in this way to acquaint you with the cause for which our people are fighting against British and French colonialism. Yes, the struggle of the patriots of the Cameroons, having passed over into a period of resistance ever since 1955, has aims at the reunification and the independence of the Cameroons. Everybody knows that the Cameroons had been placed under German protectorate by a treaty adopted on July 12, 1884, between the Reich and the leaders of our country. In June 1914, that is two weeks before the date of expiration of the protectorate’s duration, World War I broke out. It brought imperial Germany into conflict with the allied powers. The latter saw in the Cameroons a leaf of German imperialism and made it, one month after the outbreak of hostilities, into an important battlefield. On February 26, 1916, the German forces in the Cameroons capitulated before the Franco-British troops. The war was still in full force. This, however, meant little to France and Great Britain, who were able, finally, to take possession of the Cameroons which they had coveted for a long time. It was to satisfy their territorial appetites that our country became divided, punishing us instead of the German imperialists who, having played the active role of an aggressor state, had just been defeated and should have been the only ones to be made to pay for their criminal folly. After the war, the unilateral Treaty of Versailles placed the mutilated Cameroons under the mandate of the League of Nations. There is no need to emphasize that Great Britain and France remained the mandatory powers. But our struggle was not politically organized and directed before 1948. The people of the Cameroons, like many colonial peoples, did not participate in World War II as pawns, but as human beings, conscious of their rights and their obligations. They had tasted liberty and nobody could ever make them forget it again. In addition, the new international trustee government which had been set up after the victory of the peace forces over fascism by the United Nations in the Cameroons, fought also on behalf of the legitimate aspirations of the oppressed populations. 44 === [PDF page 45] === Cameroon delegates to Congress. - To strengthen peace and international security, to support the progressive evolution of the populations in the territories in trustee-ship towards the ability to govern themselves or towards complete independence, to encourage the respect of the rights of man and to develop a feeling of interdependence among the peoples of the world, these were and remain the essential aims of the international system of trustee-ship as they are expressed in Article 76 b of the Charter of the United Nations. In basing themselves on this new legal opportunity the patriots of the Cameroon, on April 10, 1948, started the national movement known under as the “Union of the Populations of the Cameroons” (U.P.C.) Naturally, the women who, like the men, also Wanted a better life, were organized within the framework of this liberation movement, until, in 1952, the Democratic Union of the Cameroons Women (D.U.C.W.) was born. The women understood very quickly that in addition _ to the national objectives which the U.P.C. defended, they had certain immediate demands, the defence of which would give their actions a still More positive value. The objectives of the Democratic Union of Cameroons Women may be summed up in a few words: The fight for the rights of Women, the protection of children, and the defence of peace. The only Solution these colonial rulers saw in response to the legitimate demands of our comrades were arbitrary arrests and imprisonment. And on May 25, 1955, it became open armed repression. Thousands of people died under the rain of bullets from the French colonialists. Innumerable women, illegally Arrested together with the men, knew what it meant to be tortured in the Prisons of the regime. In a blind fury homes were set on fire and pillaged. --. Looking at this black picture of the most horrible repression in the Western part of the Cameroons by the French authorities, one might think that the situation remains favorable for the people of the Cameroons in that part of the country which is placed under the trustee-ship of Great 45 === [PDF page 46] === Britain. On the surface it seems that this is so, but in reality it is only a question of the astuteness with which British imperialism knows how to cloak its aims in most of its colonies. After having permitted us to carry through our political activities in the East-Cameroons, the British authorities understood very quickly, thanks to the aid of their French counterparts that as long as we benefitted by this relative equality, it would be difficult for them to incorporate into their colony of Nigeria that part of our country which they are administering in the name of the United Nations. The first attempt to dissolve the Union of the Populations of the Cameroons in March 1956 failed because of popular protests, and caused an even greater development of the national liberation movement. The government did noi become discouraged by this first failure and began to prepare a serious plot against the people of the Cameroons. But neither inquisitions and illegal arrests, nor setting fire to the headquarters of the Union of the Populations of the Cameroons and to the homes of its members succeeded in breaking the morale of the patriots. On June 3, 1957, at one o’clock in the morning, a police raid in different districts of the territory brought about the arrest of four active leaders of the Democratic Union of the Cameroons Women. The same fate befell nine active leaders of the Union of the Populations of the Cameroons and of the Democratic Youth of the Cameroons. We were all notified of a decree promulgated on May 30 in Nigeria, referring to the dissolution of our respective organizations. In the words of the decree, we were ordered “to leave Nigeria as early as possible”. Why “Nigeria”, and not “the Cameroons”? Because the policy of integrations, so dear to the British, had led them to integrate provisionally, as from March 1953 for reasons of “administrative convenience”, that part of our country which in fact they are administering in the name of the United Nations. It was easy for them, in connection with the negotiations on the agreement for trusteeship at present in force in the Cameroons, to incormorate this retroactive clause which authorizes them to administer this teriitory as an “integral part” of Nigeria. While fighting for the realization of our great national objectives, we have always protested against the existence of this clause which would not have been retained if the peoples of the Cameroons had participated in these negotiations. It is on the basis of false charges that we were arrested and exiled after the dissolution of our movements. ... We owe our life to the Government of the Republic of the Sudan which, in a gesture of solidarity with its African brothers victimized by colonialism, gave us asylum in its country. Such it is the political situation in the Cameroon. In spite of the law of gagging which the administrative authorities, contrary to provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the Agreement on Trusteeship, apply to these national currents which represent the great majority of public opinion in our ccuntry, in spite of the means of military repressions and corruption at the disposal of these same authorities in their fight against the superior interests of the people, resistance is gaining ground... The “Tribune of Nations” recognizes in its last issue of March 28, 1958, “thestrength of the present uprising in the Cameroons”. === [PDF page 47] === CANADA Mrs. HILDA MURRAY National President of. the Congress of Canadian Women Ban A-weapons Continued nuclear arming and testing has special significance for the women of Canada, and places special respons’‘bilities on us. United States nuclear bomb-carrying planes fly over our territory es: constantly. A few months ago it was reported that yet another U.S. bombing base had been established in the southern part of Ontario — the most ‘densely populated Province of Canada — with an intensified programme _ planned for criss-crossing Canadian territory right up to the Arctic. In the face of this imminent danger to the peace of the world, Canadian " _ public opinion is becoming aroused. The C.C.W. and its affiliates have carried on consistent work for the cessation and outlawing of tests in letters to the 2 United Nations, to our Provincial and Federal governments, and to Members of Parliament — in letters to the press and to other organisations, including _ women’s organisations. Several prominent Canadian scientists, Church bodies, and one Provincial parliament, have called for the cessation of tests. Only a few months ago, a prominent Canadian woman — Doctor Marion _ Hilliard of Toronto Women’s College Hospital — in an article in a widely ‘vead women’s magazine, called on Canadian women and the women of the world, to act for an end to the tests! An Easter Day parade calling for a halt to nuclear tests, organised by, Church groups and the Women’s League for Peace and Freedom in Toronto, attracted wide attention in the press and among the public. This Peace Parade idea is extending across the - country,? i Economic, political and social rights Canadian women are playing an increasing part in economic, political and social life. Today they constitute nearly one quarter of the entire labour force. Of these, 43 per cent (in 1931 it was only 10 per cent) are married Women, many of them mothers of families, and many of them the sole Supporter of their family. Equal pay for comparable work for women is a matter of special concern. While equal pay laws exist in five of the ten provinces, as well as for the s federal civil service, the problem remains of securing similar laws in the remaining provinces, and most important, to secure implementation of the laws which do exist. Of major concern to women in industry is the inten- _ Sifying speed-up resulting in nervous ailments, premature aging, and general ‘ill-health. === [PDF page 48] === As more and more married women enter the working force, the need for Day Care Centres, etc., become more urgent. During the second world war, when women of Canada were drawn into industry on a large scale, federal government support was given for the establishment of day care centres. After the war, this support was withdrawn, and most of these centres were closed. So today — with the exception of the province of Ontario (comprising one-third of Canada’s population) where 1,600-children receive full day care, and another 6,400 for half-days, the number of such centres is negligible. Maternity benefits legislation is in effect in only one province of our million population. In the field of political and civic rights, Canadian women are advancing their status. For the first time, we have now a woman Federal Cabinet Minister. In the federal parliament, however, there are only two women among 165 members. More women are running for public office, and a considerable number hold posts in municipal and provinvial government bodies. More women are holding responsible positions in the trade unions. The notable exception to this is the French-Canadian province of Quebec, where women received the provincial franchise only during the war; where they do not yet have a municipal vote unless they are owners or co-owners of property; where they may not legally go into business; and where, unless a contract is drawn up, the women’s property upon marriage automatically belongs to her husband. This is the general setting which indicates the tasks confronting Canadian women, and in particular our own organisation, the CCW. We have come through a very difficult period in the recent past, when attempts have been made to liquidate our organisation, limit our activities, and sever our international ties. We are happy to report that these difficulties have been basically overcome. and a desire for more activity is Canada — A concert in Toronto to aid peace. === [PDF page 49] === . We are proud that we have been able to surmount the main difficulties, and feel that the future holds many possibilities for the growth of our organisation. International solidarity International Women’s Day celebrations this year were on a wider scale than for some time — evidence, we feel, of the growing awareness of the er of international solidarity among women, and an increased appreciation of the role of the W.I.D.F. All meeting were successful beyond expectation, and inspired our women with the determination to utilise more fully the possibilities of this annual women’s day demonstration. All these celebrations highlighted the preparations for the Fourth Congress of the W.LD.F. The desire for friendship and understanding with other peoples is growing in Canada. This was strikingly evident carly in 1956 when we began to prepare for the visit of a delegation of Soviet women whom we had invited to Canada. The wide intergst shown, the readiness of many womens organisations, of municipal and provincial government bodies, and other _ organisations, to receive them, gave us cause for rejoicing. We have friendly relations with some women in the USA, and were -privaleged to have three guests from there at our National Convention last November. I should report here that we were honored to be asked by the W.1.D.F. _ to help make it possible for a delegate from Algeria to attend this Congress. _ The response to our appeal for support was a very warm one, and we shall take home to our friends a message from the delegate from Algeria. Through her we wish to convey to Djamila Bouhired and all Algerian women suffering imprisonment and torture, our love and support in their struggle ‘for freedom and independence. CHILE Mme. MARIA VERGARA Secretary of the Union of Chilean Women -.. We can say that the situation has deteriorated since the Congress in Copenhagen, where we spoke about political and economic conditions in Chile. At that time we had already stressed the unfavourable repercussions of the armaments race and the existence of military pacts, in particular the * bilateral agreement with the United States. The North American “Klein-Salk” Mission imposed economic measures upon the government which resulted in unemployment, the ruin of small factories and a drop in production, ‘Particularly in the building and textile industries. In the textile industry Practically all the workers are women. === [PDF page 50] === Other factories generally work no more than three days a week. Working women have less and less money at their disposal. Living is getting dearer, rents are excessively high, clothes are terribly expensive. Added to this there is speculation with consumer goods, all of which results in a distressing situation affecting the health of our children and of the population in general. This was confirmed by a recent report issued by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation. which states that “Chile is one of the countries in. the world with an undernourished population.” Chilean women have been aroused most of all through their economic problems. Women working in the health services are among the lowest paid workers. There are 3,000 of them in the capital alone. Many of them were arrested for calling a strike to obtain payment of two months’ wages which were due to them. At that time the Union of Chilean Women played a significant role in organising solidarity. Having succeeded in winning the support of different sections of society, they provided the victims with legal aid and obtained their release. The U.C.W. took charge of the children of the arrested women, visited their families and gave the prisoners moral and material support. ... This long period of suffering drove the people to unite in an endeavour to find a way out of their troubles. Women are a decisive factor in these activities. The Chilean womens’ movement, in which the Union of Chilean Women plays an important part, is trying to check any further deterioration in eccnomic conditions, to overcome cultural backwardness and to oppose all forms of discrimination which affect working women in particular. The forthcoming presidential elections will have a decisive influence upon the development of the country’s social and economic life, the re-establishment of civil liberties and the normalisation of democratic life, after a break of eleven years caused by the fascist “Law on the Permanent Defence of Democracy”. In December 1957, 30% of the delegates to the “Popular Presidential Convention” were women, this Commission had to nominate the candidates for President of the Republic for the period from 1958—1964. Their influence was evident in all commissions; in the “Sub-Commission on Women” they drew up a programme of action which featured all the demands for which they are already fighting. Women are taking an active part in the election camapign, working on more than 2,000 committees trying to solve the present-day problems of women. They are explaining what the nation, what families and children need. They are mobilising thousands of women in the struggle for peace, democracy, economic independence, for free trade, for the nationalisation of natural resources (above all of copper) and for agrarian reforms, which alone will enable a way to be found out of the present cultural and economic backwardness of our country. This is how the Union of Chilean Women has reinforced its activities. Our next task will be to strengthen the womens’ electoral committees, to extend their activities and to co-ordinate their future work. === [PDF page 51] === PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Mrs. MADAM CHANG leader of the Chinese delegation to the Congress The great development of the movement for national independence in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and the success of the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Conference, which marks a new stage in the unity of Asian and African peoples, indicate that colonialism is being defeated everywhere and that on these continents the last days of colonial rule are approaching. The proposal of the Soviet Union for Summit Talks and that of Poland for an atom-free zone in Central Europe, the unilateral decision of the Soviet Union to stop nuclear weapon tests, the initiative of the Peoples’ Republic of China to withdraw the Chinese Peoples’ Volunteers from Korea in order + to hasten its peaceful unification and other peaceful measures have been _ warmly welcomed and have won the support of all the peace-loving peopes “in the world. But, the American aggressive bloc obstinately opposes all initiative for _ peace and insists on carrying out its policy of aggression, armed expansion and preparation for war. This can only deepen their isolation as it becomes _More and more unpopular among the peoples. The present situation is favourable for the people of the world to win _ further successes in their struggle for peace, democracy and national Briecendence. But the American aggressive bloc continues its policy of _ armament expansion, war preparation and aggression, _ It continues to create tension, to carry out nuclear tests and to menace _ the peace and the security of mankind. That is why I fully support Madam Cotton when she calls on women to carry out their noble task as mothers and make still greater efforts in defending life and peace. Women in national construction Together with their entire people, Chinese women defend peace mainly __ by helping to speed up national peaceful construction, so that China may lop more quickly from a stage of economic backwardness into a land of modern industry, modern agriculture, modern science and culture. Our Women know that by speeding up the tempo of national construction not ‘only can our people march along the bright road of common prosperity, hot only can they and their children be definitely ensured of an increasingly _ happy life, but thus can be strengthened the forces in defence of peace in _ Asia and in the world. Last year our people completed and over-fulfilled the first Five Year Plan. _ Now we are striving for the early fulfilment and even the overfulfilment of 51° === [PDF page 52] === The great leap forward in agricultural production in China in 1958. our second Five Year Plan. During the period of the first Five Year Plan the living standards of all our people were improved. We realise that only by speeding up national construction and increasing our wealth can we further improve our material and cultural life. Since last winter our people have been making “leaps forward” in all spheres of industry, agriculture and other constructive work. We will catch up with and even outstrip Great Britain in the output of important industrial products in fifteen years or less. All over the country peasants have been working hard to fulfill, ahead of schedule, the national programme for agricultural development. In the struggle to transform nature they have displayed a heroic spirit that can “level mountains and drain the sea”. Illiteracy A movement has been set afoot by people themselves to build new schools in addition to those set up by the state. In many areas we find at least one high school to each town and a primary school to each agricultural cooperative. The campaign for wiping out illiteracy is also making great advances. In a very short period of time there will be universal primary education and there will be no illiteracy among young and middle-aged people anywhere in the country. Mutual aid In the course of carrying out our national construction programme, the relationship between man and man has also undergone a great change. The old way, where each cleaned the snow from his own door and did not trouble about the frost on the other’s roof, has been changed to a new moral — “I work for everybody and everybody works for me”, in a spirit of unity, fraternity and mutual aid. If one family is in need, other families come to their help; it is a touching sight. This is the picture in China and it is not at all a miracle. It has become so because the people, having been emanicpated politically and economically, are free from the mental fetters inposed on them by the old system of 52 === [PDF page 53] === ership and the old society. Their minds liberated, the working people longer suffer from an inferiority complex and conservatism, but are with confidence and new ambition. It also shows that when the king people consciously realise that they are the masters and builders ?a new society, they are capable of boundless energy, are able to give the u play to their wisdom and intellect, and so rely on themselves to build happy life. Chinese women too have displayed a heroic, courageous and creative spirit in production. All over the country, women workers together with t menfolk, have plunged into the high tide of “the leap forward” in a production. They have advanced the slogan: “Let us have will-power. Be a woman of strong will. Let us see who is the most advanced in the competition to make the biggest leap forward. “In the countryside, peasant women have become a tremendous force in farming and subsidiary production. They undertake great responsibility in the cultivation of grain and cotton, and do most of the work in accumulating manure, in caring for pigs and poultry, etc. In building water conservation projects and in afforestation women have made a great contribution, They take an active part in the movement to improve the instruments and the " method of handling the instruments and to introduce mechanisation. Equal rights The firm establishment of the Socialist system and the rapid advances made in production and construction have helped women to enjoy equal _ rights with men in all spheres of life. The welfare services for women and children have also been further improved. Child-care organisations have been developed extensively in the agricultural co-operatives in all parts of the country. For example, in the hundred or more counties of the Hopei province, there is at least one nursery in each co-operative and a child-care group for every production team. Solidarity The Chinese women firmly support the just demands of the peoples of _ Korea and Viet-Nam for the peaceful unification of their motherlands; they firmly support the heroic struggle of the Algerian and other peoples against colonialism, for national independence and freedom, and they firmly support the righteous struggle of the people of Indonesia and Lebanon for the safeguarding of their national independence and against the interference of the U.S. aggressive bloc in their internal affairs. : In the course of long years China experienced those things which many countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are still experiencing. Today We Chinese people always stand side by side with the peoples of these countries in their struggle against colonialism. Our hearts are close to theirs. Through their own struggle the peoples in Asia and Africa have blazed the trail to an ever brighter future. We are convinced that we will win the _ final victory in our struggle. During the past five years, in response to the call of the W.I.D.F. for Promoting friendship among women of all countries, Chinese women have _ €stablished friendly ties with the women of many countries. We have 53 === [PDF page 54] === received as our guests 647 friends from 64 countries, and 129 Chinese women have visited 19 countries. These personal contacts and visits have resulted in deeper mutual understanding and trust. We believe that amicable intercourse of this kind will contribute to peaceful co-existence and friendly co-operation among the peoples of the world. We Chinese women sincerely wish to have contacts with women of all strata in all countries, and we would welcome the visit of women from those countries which have not yet sent any visitors to China. To defend peace and to secure a lasting peace is the glorious task confronting the people and the women of our time. If we would pool our efforts we could win even greater victories. Mme. MARIA ANTONIA GONZALEZ Oppression Our country is at present passing through a tragic period which fills our hearts with anguish. Thousands of mothers are weeping over their murdered, imprisoned or exiled children. The whole people is living in a state of constant fear lest their families should be broken up by the repressive forces of the government, and their children murdered or taken to dark gaols, perhaps to be tortured to death. Ever since March 10th 1952, when a coup dEtat marked the ascent to power of the Fulgencio Batista Government, the people has been living in a state of siege. Democratic rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution have been formally suspended for months. although in fact they have not been respected for the last 6 years. The government is responsible for the murder of more than one thousand citizens, including women and children. Prisons are full of political prisoners and a strict censorship has been imposed upon the press, the radio and television services. The police breaks into homes at all hours of the night, forcing doors open, stealing wherever they can, unlawfully seizing the inhabitants and locking them up for months without any valid motive. Prisoners are as a rule savagely beaten up. Many are tortured with a view to extracting confessions or information. In certain cases prisoners are tortured by having their wives, daughters or sisters brought to the prison to be violated or threatened with violation in their presence. At the same time prisoners themselves are brutally tortured by being goaded, by having electric currents passed through their -bodies, or by injections of drugs. Some of those who survive these monstrous tortures temporarily lose their reason, as was the case for example with a prisoner who threw himself from the tower of a prison building and was killed. Several women detained for their oppositional activities were brutally === [PDF page 55] === by the police. Public opinion was deeply shocked be the plight of e Esther Lina de Milanes Dantin, a Catholic school teacher, who subjected to shameful maltreatment which almost killed her. Madame tin was threatened with imprisonment while ccnvalescing in a clinic. employees and doctors of the establishment managed to prevent her by asking a foreign embassy to give her protection; she was subseitly able to leave the country from there. Other women prisoners are ulted, beaten and forced to look on while their comrades are being nations are becoming more frequent with every day. Citizens sted one day are found the following day riddled with bullets or hanged the road-side. The crime committed on the bloodstained Christmas of is among the most outrageous deeds of this kind. On the north side Oriente region 27 citizens of various opinions were murdered. A few days on December 31st, 5 other bodies were found in the same region, ong them one of a boy of less than 15 years, which bore the marks of ‘e. This murder aroused deep indignation among the women of the ict, so that the following dey, regardless of the terror, a mighty emonstation of women in mourning marched in silence through the streets Santiago de Cuba, carrying a slogan inscribed: “Stop the murder of sons.” During the armed rising in which a large part of the population took two Cuban towns were destroyed by government bombardments. dreds of sailors and civilians were arrested and shot at Cienfuegos; e of them were still alive when they were buried in a common grave. most violent terror reigns in the eastern parts of the country, where resistance movement has grown very powerful. This movement in to a mass movement backed by the population of the liberated areas, re the land has been: distributed among the peasants. The atrocities erpetrated by the armed forces in these regions are beyond belief. Aircraft mbarded the region in a blind fury and machine gunned peasant homes. At _ the same time the ground forces terrorised the inhabitants by burning down villages, destroying harvests and killing anyone suspected of aiding the ah rebels. Thus a peasant was killed before the eyes of his son, who was Subsequently shot as well. All the peasants found in the vicinity were mowed down by machine guns. A village school mistress who had witnessed all these incidents was arrested and found a day later by the side of a path, _ faked and mad. She had been violated. Whole villages have been subjected to reprisals. A list of suspects was drawn up, containing the names of entire families. All these people were questioned, and those accused of having killed a policeman or an official were tortured. Cuban intellectuals were also subjected to brutal persecution. Doctors __ have been killed for tending wounded rebels. Lawyers who defended revo- 5 lutionaries in court were tortured to death. Journalists courageously ful- _ filling their mission were killed and some had to flee the country to save their lives. pote € people are becoming increasingly aware that close unity between all os Cubans regardless of political opinions is their only salvation. Cuban women === [PDF page 56] === have given an example by forming a large movement known as “United Women’s Opposition”, which helps prisoners and works for Cuban unity. It is on behalf of this organisation that we denounce the state of affairs in our native land here, before this Congress, so that it may be brought to the knowledge of women all over the world. We may state that women are taking an important part in the struggle for democratic liberties and against the terror in our country. At the gravest hour they came out to demonstrate demanding an end to these crimes. They met in a church, in order to have a mass read in honour of the victims of the terror, and then marched along the streets. Women also arranged funerals for the victims and organised impressive mass rallies of protest. Mothers, wives, sisters and other relations of prisoners also took part in the activities organised by the association created by the women in aid of political prisoners. They courageously lodged complaints against the tortures inflicted upon prisoners, pointing out those who were responsible to the Supreme Court. This complaint was presented to the Court by a deputation of 200 women, During the hunger strikes of the prisoners, which very nearly cost many their lives, the “Womens’ Opposition” issued a public statement; several women spoke on the radio and television, although they were made to pay or their courage. The last of these strikes was successful, thanks to the solidarity of the people and the heroic conduct of the prisoners’ families. That is how it was possible to obtain the liberation of prisoners on probation and in police custody. CZECHOSLOVAKIA Mrs. ANERKA HODINOVA-SPURVA the Czechoslovak delegate at the IVth Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation It has become a tradition of all progressive women’s organisations that they never consider their own demands from a narrow, isolated point of view. Today, at a time when the misuse of immense natural powers can bring pain and death to many generations to come, we realise more clearly than ever, how inseparable the attainment of the just aims of women are with the principle question of our time — war or peaceful co-existence, Thanks to the fact that in our country the people hold power, our Republic today represents an active factor for peace. We are making efforts to safeguard peace and to further friendly relations between all nations, as far as our strength, geographical position, economic situation, tradition and experience allow. 56 === [PDF page 57] === 20 years have passed since the Munich Pact was signed. This Pact did not ‘pring the hypocritically promised peace, but shame and war, not only for our people, but for all the people of Europe. Our women will never forget their tragic experiences under German fascism. Today, when the same forces that brought inexpressible sufferings ‘on millions of people are again lifting their heads, our women deem it their duty to raise a voice of warning, and to appeal to all women to prevent _ these intensions from becoming a reality. We are following the development in West Germany with great anxiety. The decisions of the Bonn Parliament to arm the Federal Army with atomic weapons, is contrary to the will of ‘the majority of the people in West Germany. These decisions mean creating a voleano which might start an atomic war at any moment, and which endangers the security of all European countries. The demand for the creation of an atom weapon free zone in Europe is of the greatest importance in this situation. Czechoslovakia is prepared to help in the creation of such a zone. Our country is developing as a People’s Democracy. At a time, when our friends in the western countries are valiantly figthting against the violation of their civil rights and liberties, against the degradation of parliament and the falsification of the constitution, our people are taking an increasingly active part in governing the country, and in administrating the state and economy. This growing participation of the majority of our population in building a new society also points to the greater part played by our women. Czechoslovak women are excellent workers. They are pioneers in new working methods. capable organisers in production and have excellent minds The British women’s Peace Caravan being welcomed in Czechoslovakia. === [PDF page 58] === in the fields of science and culture. We have 38,842 women officials in the National Administration, 200 of whom hold offices as Chairmen, and 61 women in Parliament. Of the total number of 77,821 university students, 16,271 are women. Apart from that, we already have a considerable number of women University Professors and lecturers, and a number of other educationalists at the University. Every fourth doctor is a woman. We are solving new and interesting problems, such as preparing women to take on higher and more responsible tasks, and improving their qualifications. In the atmosphere which I have described to you, Czechoslovak women are supporting the noble efforts of the Women’s International Democratic Federation. We try to make every one of your decisions known to all our women. At the same time we encourage them to help fulfill the tasks which we have accepted through our membership in the W.I.D.F. The women in our country have shown great interest in the Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation. This was seen in the solidarity campaign which developed during the preparations for the Congress. This campaign was an incentive to women living in the country as well as to those working in the big factories. The Congress preparations have given our women an even stronger feeling of the ties existing between them and women in the remotest parts of the world. We can say that our great movement for friendly coexistence has been active as well. The present stage of development in the world has placed great demands upon women, has set us great tasks. Czechoslovak women, welded together in firm unity, will continue to do everything in their power to live up to their historic responsibilities. ECUADOR Mrs. MELIDA GONZALES RENDON of the Guayas Women’s Union I come from a country in the north of South America, situated on the Equator. It has an area of 300,000 square kilometres and a population of almost 4,000,000. Its shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean. Almost half the population is directly descended from the nationalities which were already settled there before the Spanish conquest. General situation Almost 75 per cent of the population are peasants, but the land does not belong to those who cultivate it. 240 big land owners own as much land as about 300,000 small peasants (most of whom are tenant farmers cr === [PDF page 59] === International Women’s Day in Ecuador. lers paying rent in kind). More than 320,000 small peasants have only hectare of land to cultivate. In our country the vestiges of feudalism subsist to such a degree that _ investigators confirm the existence of every form of serfdom in Ecuador, and + of slavery in the vast eastern regions. It is sufficient to say that announcements ‘for the sale of agricultural property indicate not only the area of land and _ the number of animals (pigs, bullocks, sheep) but the number of native ‘workers are also included in the sale. Moreover, our situation is getting worse, due to the fact that an ever growing number of foreign companies, especially from the United States, are settling themselves in our country and taking possession of land on which they maintain a feudal system of exploitation. The United Fruit Company alone possesses more than 125,000 hectares of, land. a very high figure for a country like ours. The penetration of North American imperialism is so deep that gradually our national resources are falling into its possession. Now it controls almost the entire banana production. All our oil is exploited by the Standard Oil Company, which sometimes goes under the names of “Anglo Ecuador Oil” or “Oil Field Company”. These are real acts of piracy. Our country, which could produce cocoa, coffee, palm fibre for making hats, cane sugar and various sorts of wood, is made to produce cnly one Yop, bananas, by the north American companies. This business brings them 4M annual profit of more than 500 million dollars and according to their own statements, oil brings them more than 50 million dollars. _ Customs rights established by “U.S. technicians” allow them to invade Our market with U.S. products, so that our national industry producing Same products is dying out. i Continual loans launched by the government are a threat to our independence; in addition the taxes imposed on the people worsen their living conditions. === [PDF page 60] === Education, public works, health and the army are subject to the influence of the U.S. imperialists. That is to say that the U.S. co-operative services dominate the life of our country from the economic, social and cultural point of view. Fifty per cent of our population is illiterate. This year in the towns many thousands of children did not find places in schools, and nothing is done to remedy this distressing situation. Sometimes teachers do not receive their salaries for several months at a time. This situation is not surprising when we consider that 40 per cent of the general budget is devoted to military expenditure and only 17 per cent to education. In general the State is indifferent to the condition of children and of women. This situation has distressing repercussions on the lives of students and’ workers’ organisations, and takes on a really inhuman character. An example of this is the spectacle of those long queues of women waiting to receive treatment at the hospitals, clinics and public assistance services In spite of these bad conditions, women are becoming more and more interested in finding a solution to their problems and to this end they are participating actively in public life. For example, at the elections of 1956, enormous numbers of women voted for the democratic candidate. The women of our country, workers, teachers, housewives, peasants and students, are everywhere struggling to improve their living, conditions and those of their children. Our women are taking part with determination in the struggle for peace; } during our last collection of signatures for peace and against nuclear tests we obtained the signatures of the Vice-President of the Republic and of | all the General Councillors of the coastal provinces. FINLAND Mrs. LEA METSISTO Member of the National Council of the Democratic League of Finnish Women Since the Copenhagen Congress the activities of Finnish Women have been characterised by a continuous struggle for the preservation of the social rights already attained. As a result of persistent efforts some important reforms to improve the livelihood of families have been achieved during the postwar years. We aimed at a system of social security which was to include family allowances to be given to all mothers by the government. The economic policies adopted in our country have resulted in such a bad situation that women have been forced to muster their strength for 60 === [PDF page 61] === - by thousands of mothers and families throughout the country. It was the The Democratic League of Finnish Women supports the pensioners struggle for increased pensions. the defence of their economic security. Our organisation, the Finnish Women’s Democratic League, has led the way in this struggle. Instead of devoting all our attention to improving the position of women, e.g. through shorter working hours, equal wages, improving women’s vocational training, improving schooling, raising the standard of housing, improving maternity care, we have had to concentrate on activities against the ever deteriorating economic position. In the past years the government has made a number of proposals, which would have resulted in lowering the living standards of the workers and their families. Our league, in planning its activities, selected as most important those questions which most deeply coneerned women and mothers. Our slogan: “Hands off child allowances” was warmly accepted Starting point of a strong mass movement which aroused much interest in social problems among women. Hundreds of mothers personally approached micmbers of the Cabinet, party groups, committees of the Diet, expressing their demand that food and children’s health should not be the first things to be sacrificed when expenses are cut, while at the same time considerable concessions are made to big industries. At first many members of women’s delegations were timid, but they learned from experience and gained confidence! Many of those who had felt uncertain at first were able to encourage others. Thus mothers were drawn nearer to the legislative and administrative bodies, both local and national. Throughout the country, Women organised hundreds of mass meeting from which thousands of letters and appeals were sent to members of the Government. To give the Tight direction to the women’s activities, our league published several Pamphlets entitled “Parliaments News”. The struggle for child allowances Teached its climax in a discussion in the Diet which lasted 70 hours. This took place at the same time as the W.I.D.F. council meeting in Helsinki 61 === [PDF page 62] === last summer. The women’s struggle was successful, child allowances were saved and we were happy about the triumpf of our united action. When the struggle was over, our league issued a pamphlet “We won” in which it expressed its gratitude to all participants for their fortitude and pointed out the way to secure our rights in the future — the way of united action. Recently our most important task in defending women’s rights has been fighting unemployment, which has affected tens of thousands of women and families. In the branches mostly employing women, such as the clothing, leather and textile industries, unemployment has been the worst. During the last few decades many women have entered the labour market and their contribution to production and in many other fields has been very great. The livelihood of families depends largely on the work of women — including married ones — outside the home. Although married women always face the conflict between home and working for pay, the concept “wage earning mother” is well established in our country. Both as workers and mothers, thousands of women experienced the privation caused by unemployment last winter. Curtailed hours and prolonged stand-offs lasting, several months in some field, shows how bad the situation was. When jobs become scarce the age of a woman becomes important. In the field of business, a woman might be considered too old at 35. Unless she, is very competent, or if the has stayed at home several years, she has difficulty in getting a job. At the turn of the year our league carried out an extensive investigation called “Unemployment, Woman and the Home” to find out the real number of unemployed women. The municipalities are obliged to keep records of the unemployed, but their files never give a true picture of the situation. Many women are reluctant to report to them, for they are often sent away under various pretexts such as: no jobs available, husband working, and so forth. The investigation gave us an opportunity to discuss unemployment, its causes, and means of preventing it with women representing different political circles. Our task was also to demand suitable jobs for women, because they were often directed to unskilled or entirely unsuitable jobs. A weaver might be sent to dig ditches in frozen ground. Unemployment is felt keenly in rural areas, because there is less demand for agricultural products when the buying power of the public decreases. All the activities so far mentioned are also a part of the preparations for the General Elections next month. The 20,000 members and 650 local committees of our league throughout Finland participate eagerly in the election work. Our election programme, a pamphlet which contains women’s present day tasks and demands, is a concrete weapon for women in the election work. The periodical of our league, the “New Woman”, has done its best to arouse the social consciousness of women and to cast light on their most urgent demands from the viewpoint of both country and city women. === [PDF page 63] === FRANCE Mme. MARIE-CLAUDE VAILLANT- COUTURIER Vice President, French National Assembly, Vice President, W.1.D.F. The serious events which have taken place in @ur country in the e of the past weeks are the result of a policy pursued by leaders of Socialist Party, in particular men like Guy Mollet and Lacoste, whom socialists who voted against the investiture of de Gaulle, call “traitors e cause of Socialism and to the Republic”. ‘he coming to power of de Gaulle was possible because of the war in ia and the capitulation before the extreme forces of reaction in ria, because of an anti-communist attitude and the refusal to rely on working class and the democratic forces in the country. iously, this is a development which is fraught with serious consees for our country and, by its repercussions, on an international level well. But it would be wrong to think that the fight stops here. It will on. nue, ‘ay should like to point out the extraordinarily high participation of women nd E the big demonstrations and strike movements which took place in nt.: defence of the Republic. Many women became members of democratic janizations in the course of it. t the time that I left, the Union of French Women had just published itement, congratulating all those members of the Assembly who voted ist de Gaulle and who have promised to strengthen their activities in ice of the demands of women and the protection of the rights they already obtained, especially in the field of social welfare. ore than ever we are fighting for an end to the war in “Algeria. In a ent made two days ago, a spokeman of the National Liberation Front de it clear that he would be ready to consider a solution which would antee independence to Algeria in the framework of a federal union. does not tally at all with the intentions of the most extreme forces t reaction in Algeria, who support de Gaulle. New troop contingents have arked for Algeria. An increase in the war budget has been announced. e are also continuing our struggle against atomic weapons, against the blishment of atomic missile bases and the concomitant danger of the nufacture of atomic bombs, an insistent demand on the part of all those it wing elements who voted for de Gaulle. friends, the fight is going to be more difficult, but powerful * ep ublican forces do exist in France. They became evident when more than t the socialist deputies, and nearly half the radical-socialist deputies === [PDF page 64] === i French Woman Collect signatures for the z nuclear arms tests. cessation and prohibition of voted with the Communists against one-man rule. They found expression all over the country in huge demonstrations of unity to bar the road to fascism. This unity, born in struggle, continues. The true defenders of the Republic ean bring about the downfall of military dictatorship. France shall not betray the hope her friends the world over place in her F Mme. HUISMAN Vice-President of the Union of French Women Speaking to women from all parts of the world, I am fully aware of the grave concern with which they are looking towards my country today. . It is quite plain that the primary cause of the troubles which are besetting us are rooted in the long series of uninterrupted wars in which the French nation has been involved for so many years up to the present a time, and in the first place the Algerian war. All the French Governments which have succeeded one another have A refused to conduct negotiations with the representatives of the Algerian i people fighting against their rule. Under the pressure of a handful of i reactionary colonialists these Governments acted against the will of the French people. which was clearly expressed in the elections of January 2nd, 64 === [PDF page 65] === from taking any steps towards peace, they continued to intensify tile and endless” war, as it was described not so long ago by one most influential leading statesmen. French people have not slackend in their struggle for peace, and have taken a prominent part in it. lothers of soldiers, moved by fear for their childrens’ lives, were the to rise in an endeavour to put an end to this nightmare: they sent tions and letters to the public authorities; they carried through e campaigns in which millions of women of our country took part the lead of our Union of French Women. ‘news of the methods employed in this war gave rise to a powerful e of indignation among very wide sections of public opinion in France. mothers were as deeply shocked about the sufferings caused to rian mothers as about their own. Governments in France were unable to restore peace and became sing unpopular. They collapsed one after the other for lack of jort in the country. rced by the ultra-reactionaries in Algeria and by military leaders to e the war, they were attacked on every side and were unable to ii a truly French policy in line with the great traditions of liberty justice for which our country is known. ae rift was constantly widening between the French people on the one ‘and the ultra-reactionaries and the army in Algeria on the other side. e latter made use of the recess of the government at the time when flimlin Government was formed; they tried to weigh down the scales air favour by staging an insurrection and noisily proclaiming the of power by General de Gaulle, while the Republicans in the National ibly voted for the Pflimlin Government with a large majority. om this time Algeria was in the hands of the insurgent military leaders, e General de Gaulle is about to seize power in the Republic. The audacity of these rebels has even gone as far as to send a handful hem to Corsica on May 24th, and to seize power there also; this was ext stage of the subjugation of all France to their will. without any further ambiguity it was the Republic itself which was ened. e attitude of General de Gaulle at present and the sort of people that Name do not permit Republicans to abandon their destiny to his, They have risen in a magnificent spirit of unanimity in order to bar Way to fascism. Powerful demonstrations have taken place in Paris in many French towns, where hundreds of thousands of democrats omen have played a prominent role in this movement. They do not e that the very same men who have always been the most violent Pponents of any peaceful solution of the Algerian problem should now ave brought about a so-called Franco-Mohammedan reconciliation. They On the contrary, an aggravation of the war in Algeria and a possible sion to the neighbouring countries, particularly in view of the bing news from Tunisia. have they forgotten their own recent experiences and sufferings : 65 === [PDF page 66] === which despotism brought to French families. It must nevertheless be stated, that not all are equally aware of the fascist menace which hovers over the country. Through his personality and the part which he played during the Second World War, General de Gaulle has acquired s» much pres ige that many people refuse to recognize him as the leader cf the insurgent military clique. As far as we are concerned, we are trying by every means to enlighten the women. The Executive Committee of the Union of French Women, aware of its great responsibility, has been in session almost without interruption. It has appealed to the highest authorities, calling upon French women to strengthen their unity and to take action in defence of the Republic. Hardened by struggles in the past; conscious of their place within the nation and of their importance as citizens; resolved to defend their children, their homes and their country, they have come forward in great numbers to take vigorous action. Leaflets, signatures, telegrams and express letters have piled up in thousands in the office of the President of the Republic. The overwhelming majority of teachers took part in a strike called by the very important Teachers’ Union, and fully supported by the Federation of Parents of School Children. On Mother’s Day the Union of French Women arranged several deputations of mothers of soldiers, who lobbied members of parliament and local authorities, in order to reaffirm their desire to end the war. Our activities are continuing. In recent weeks the Republicans have consolidated their unity. All our hopes are placed upon this unity. We have unshaken. confidence in this common desire felt by millions of French men and women, once again fighting side by side against fascism. As French women we are too intimately attached to republican institutions not to be vigilant against any threat to them; they alone can guarantee that our voices will be heard. We have raised our voices in a great cry to proclaim our adherence to democracy, which alone will enable us to take effective action in defence of peace, the happiness of our children and friendship among the peoples. FRENCH SUDAN Mme. DJIRE SATA Committee of Women Workers in French Sudan My first words are to bring you the fraternal greeting from far-away Black Africa and especially from the inhabitants of the French Sudan. one of the territories of West Africa under French domination, ... After Bandung and Cairo, a new force has arisen in the world. It is the force of the countries long oppressed by foreign rule who have now liberated themselves or are in the process of doing so. We are well aware 66 === [PDF page 67] === role the W.I.D.F. has played in thwarting all attempts to stem the of these developments. he Committee of Working Women of the French Sudan is very happy participate in this Congress, the work of which, we are sure, will ibute to bringing about a solution to many international problems such isarmament, the’.cessation of nuclear tests, the destruction of atomic ons and peaceful cooperation, a major concern of all colonial peoples. at is why we adopted, on January 20, 1958, a resolution against the ned missile tests in the Sahara. addition, for us, a people still oppressed, the greatest concern is our ation from these fetters of slavery, a profound humiliation in this. To enable our freedom to unfold, we strongly demand the end e war in Algeria, which represents a serious obstacle to our evolution, we protest against the fact that our brothers and sons are sent to against other brothers in our own Africa. We have emphasized again d again that negotiations for the recognition and independence of Algeria e only solution to that problem. ly, to relax international tension, we believe that the ten principles ie Bandung Conference define the aspirations of all peoples. GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC ; Professor LENE BERG the German Democratic Republic is one of the countries where the forces ested in the outbreak of a war cannot exist. government spares no efforts and takes all steps necessary to serve e and to protect the lives of our people and the achievements attained our constructive work. It acts thus with the full consent of our people, perceive the fact that only peaceful labour and solidarity with ali e-loving nations are able to guarantee life and a secure future, and at ‘same time win the friendship and respect of all peace-loving peoples. are working in accordance with the watchword formulated by the Federal Congress of our women’s organization: “Learn and strive for wledge! Always act in the interest of our workers’ and peasants’ state. you will protect your interests and serve peace! Educate your children to me socialist people, and they will be your happiness and your joy will serve mankind!’ This educational ideal -corresponds to the ations of our mothers and its result is that our young people are ght up in the spirit of true humanitarianism, that is in the spirit of of progress and of friendship for all nations. © of our greatest poets, Friedrich Schiller, said: “Even the most pious Mm cannot live in peace if his vicious neighbour does not let him.” 67 === [PDF page 68] === The part of the vicious neighbour is being played’ on our western border by West German circles that twice already precipitated our people into the abyss of war and thus carried distress into the countries of Europe. The military clique in power in West Germany, with its atomic armament and its aim to construct atomic bases in West Germany, is not only a great danger to the German people but to all the peoples of Europe. All upright fighters for peace are being persecuted in West Germany and are more and more frequently put behind prison walls. The plotting and scheming to prepare a new war does not stop at the frontiers of the German Democratic Republic. On the contrary, we constantly notice the efforts made by the West German revenge-seekers to hamper us in our peaceful construction; they constantly direct their harassing fire against our democracy, against our readiness to negotiate and against the peace policy of our government. In the struggle for the vital interests of the German people, and especially of German women, we are closely united with the women of West Germany. They, too, recognize more and more that the German Democratic Republic gives their great support in their fight for peace and democracy. In this struggle, the contacts between the east and the west of our country are getting closer. A meeting of women from all of Germany, to be held soon, will be a highlight in the common struggle of the peaceloving women of both German states waged against the atomic policies of the West German militarists. But today it is not sufficient to wish for peace and to wage the struggle in general terms. It is necessary to stand up against all particular war preparations, against the war mongers. The meeting of women of the Baltic countries, to be held during the “Baltic Week” in the German Democratic Republic in July, will contribute to the struggle for peace. The aim of this meeting is to turn the Baltic into a sea where peace reigns supreme. This is why we vehemently protest against the atomic armament of West Germany, against the construction of atomic bases in West Germany. Prime Minister Grotewohl proclaimed the proposals of our Government, to call on the people of West and East Germany to decide this vital question by a referendum. The Adenauer government furiously directs its actions of terror against this elementary democratic request, but the people’s movement in West Germany is gaining in strength and will eventually not only enforce the referendum, but also compel those eternal reactionaries to renounce atomic weapons. It is the aim of our common struggle to induce the other states possessing atomic arms to follow the example of the Soviet Union and, in their turn, immediately stop all tests with atomic weapons. With this struggle of ours we want to achieve that atomic energy will be used exclusively for peaceful ends and for the welfare of mankind. A line of a well-known song runs: “Peace is no gift of nature”; peace, like all progress, has to be won by hard struggle. It is our special mission as women and mothers to do this. Let us act according to the words of Maxim Gorki, who once said: “Without sun — no flowers, without women — no children”, and let us add: “without the struggle of women and mothers — neither peace nor happiness for our children.” i 68 === [PDF page 69] === GERMAN FEDERAL REPUBLIC Mrs. OTTI WINTEROLL Delegate _ During the election campaign of September, the parties of the governent coalition promised the women that there would be no atomic mament in West Germany. In March 1958, the German militarists shamelessly swept aside these promises. They disregarded all considerations of reason, morals and onisbility, all warnings uttered by deputies belonging to the opposition, well as the millions of protests coming from the people in both parts of Germany. But they themselves told us where their policy would lead us. _ The manoeuvres “Black Lion 1957" held by the NATO states showed that ‘many millions of inhabitants of the Federal Republic would be exposed ) certain annihilation in case of an atomic war. Plans for the evacuation of 14.5 million West Germans were published a magazine on military questions, and the same paper also wrote that soldiers of the “Bundeswehr” should be psychologically prepared “To lude German cities in the inferno of nuclear destruction in case of y serious action”. In a debate in the “Bundestag” Minister of Defense of the Federal epublic Strauss declared: “We will answer every gun shot by nuclear plosions.” It is perhaps for reasons of language simplification that they no longer of millions of dead but only mention “megadead”. What terrible tempt of human beings though, what brutality, what dangerous plans € expressed by this term! The movement against atomic war and against the atomic armament of _the Federal Republic is developing in the most manifold forms, Fourty-four prominent scientists addressed the trade unions and called upon them to their influence to prevent a national catastrophe. Committees for the ght against atomic war are being formed in the districts. the cities and villages, and many women participate in them. In accordance with the will of the workers, May Day was celebrated as fighting day against atomic armament. _ Students of most West German universities held demonstrations. te Women are playing a considerable part in this large popular movement | the Federal Republic. The Peace Movement of West German Women, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the German ‘omen’s Council are actively participating. Furthermore, numerous women’s nizations which support Chancellor Adenauer’s policy in many questions 69 === [PDF page 70] === Women protesting against nuclear wei pons in the German Federal Republic. are however speaking up against atomic armament. They include: the Protestant Women’s League of Germany, the German Women’s Ring, the Union of Countrywomen, the Association of German Housewives, A number of other organizations, e. g. the Cooperative Women’s Guild, also pronounced itself against this dangerous development. Twenty-one women’s organizations of Hambourg demanded that the government accept the Rapacki plan. At its annual conference, the Federal Women’s Committee of the German Trade Union Federation (DGB), called upon all members to participate in all activities against atomic death. Numerous resolutions were passed and many actions carried through by the industrial organizations and local branches of the DGB. Women and mothers who had never before participated actively in political life took part in public protests. They collected hundreds of signatures, they organized signature campaigns and letters to the “Bundestag” (Parliament). Memories of the horrors of the last war are becoming vivid onc mere. Although many newspapers in West Germany are playing the facts down, news of the terrible effects of nuclear weapons are spreading. The head doctor of a child clinic in West Germany stated that the number of malformed births had increased threefold since atomic tests were being carried out. Mothers are horrified and demand that an end be put to this devilish development. The unilateral stopping of test explosions by the Soviet Union was thankfully welcomed by women where ever it became known. The politicians are trying to counteract the people’s movement against atomic armament by violence and confusion — they are seeking to weaken and to suppress it. 70 === [PDF page 71] === After the Democratic Union of German Women had already been _ prohibited in April, 1957, measures against Woman followed in April this year, when the anti-atomic movement reached a climax; The measures _ included seizing its bank accounts, searching the homes of its members and submitting them to political questioning. _ The Federal Government caused the Federal Constitutional Court to issue a provisional order forbidding a referendum on the armament question. which was already being prepared in some federal states. The people are not to be allowed to speak their minds, they are to be silent and to obey and to suffer. They are to be satisfied with a democracy _ that merely allows them to step to the election booth once every four years. This is why the struggle against atomic death in West Germany becomes a direct struggle for democracy and against new fascist aims. But today there are already promiment political men even within Adenauer’s party, like Professors Hagemann, who raise their voice sharply against this falsification of issues. For the choice at present is not between atomic armament or socialist - system, but between atomic armament and death, or else peaceful coexistence and life.! We, the West German women, know that we still have to accomplish great tasks before the people’s movement against atomic armament of the Federal Republic will have reached its goal. There is still too much hesitation at present, especially within the women’s movement, when common action is needed and additional resolute steps must be taken. The danger that many might again become victims of the demagogy and the pressure of the atomic strategists has by no means been overcome. But we have confidence in the forces for good within our people. All that our sisters of the German Democratic Republic are doing for peace, for the security of our common country and for the well-being of our people is of decisive importance for us, the West German women, in the successful struggle we are waging. === [PDF page 72] === GREAT BRITAIN Dr. MARGARET GILCHRIST Scotland My husband and I were students together during wartime and, like medical students the world over, discussed our aims and objectives in living and how best we might fulfil the Hippocratic oath which we were soon to take. These talks resulted in our determination to practice preventive medicine in an industrial area and raise a family who, with our help, might learn to serve their fellows even better than we could. On 10th August, 1945, and at the very moment the news was released that the war was finally over, we were married. Could anyone’s cup of happiness be more full? But the price had been paid on 6th August at Hiroshima, and later Nagasaki. ‘ We had entered the Nuclear Age — and that, my friends, we must all face in all its aspects. Great Britain — the great march to Aldermaston at Easter. 72 === [PDF page 73] === cal and ike. ine iter all work continued happily. I had my own babies, set up a family ning clinic and, in helping to alleviate suffering and promote the safe y of healthy children to healthy mothers, my life was full. might have remained snug in my warm, secure — yes — self-satisfied coon had I never heard a geneticist discuss the appalling dangers to ankind from H-bomb tests and the Japanese story. This was my moment decision. here had been an apparent increase in Leukemia, primary bone cancer d genetic abnormalities in our practice at that time and even the remote gossibility that these tragic deaths might now, or in the future, be the It of tests made me determined to fight to have them stopped. ontium 90 has been deposited widely in Wales and in large quantities Pertshire, Scotland where 20,000 units is quoted. The Medical Research neil which states 100 units in a persons bones as the danger level is concerned. A new Strontium 89 was also demonstrated. ‘© our knowledge, no Nuclear explosion has taken place within 00 miles of the British Isles. Strontium 90 is known to cause Leukemia nd there is, as yet, no forseeable cure for Leukemia. This umbrella of deadly poison enveloping the earth is war against the esent and future inhabitants of the earth. _ There was tremendous opposition in Scotland when it was announced in the press that rocket sites were to be built in our land. _ The Scottish Council of the Labour Party had an emergency meeting and unanimously protested against the proposal. _ The General Council of the Scottish T.U.C. added its condemnation, pointing out that the sites construction would provide little in the way of work for the unemployed areas, but instead would make them a front line target. _ The Scottish Co-op Women’s Guild with 26,000 members also protested d condemned too the practice of American planes flying overhead with H bombs. _~Plumbers in Aberdeen declared that work on the sites should be “blacked” ind building workers in Dundee — although heavily hit by unemployment lared they would not lift a pick or shovel to help build the sites. “We not going to dig our own graves”, they said. _ The cost we in Britain are asked to pay for tests is not only that of ‘disease now and danger to our children’s genetic heritage — but also €conomic. For the price of one bomber — excluding its crew — 2,000 houses, _ twelve schools, or 2 fully equipped hospitals could be built. _ With our advanced technology these vast sums now spent on tests could utilised for further and rapid development of the peaceful uses of uclear energy. Such is within our grasp at this moment. _ But my country has started another series of tests. The U.S, say they will mtinue theirs and the French have expressed a desire not to be left out the race. At Easter there was a magnificient demonstration organised by the Committee for Nuclear Disarmament, starting with an enormous send-off _ Meeting in Trafalgar Square. In spite of pouring rain, biting wind and F bitter cold, thousands of people representing every walk of life — MPs, 73 === [PDF page 74] === scientists, doctors, clergymen, teachers, factory workers, housewives, students and others set out to march for four days to the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Reception committees were formed in the towns and villages through which they passed. Homes and buildings were thrown open, meals were provided on route and thousands of people lined the street. An amazing feature was that whole families took part in this march and took part in huge meetings to welcome and speed on the marchers. Such is the feeling which gave rise to this march in our country. This committee has since organised a huge deputation to Parliament calling for the ending of tests and nuclear disarmament. On March 8th this year the National Assembly of Women decided to call a Conference of women’s organisations addressed by scientists on women and nuclear power. Valuable information, not only about the dangers but also about the peaceful possibilities of nuclear energy were revealed. The speeches made at the conference are being distributed, giving women authoritative material to use in the campaign. Over 500 women attended from nearly every County in England and there was also a delegation from Scotland. The decision of the Soviet Government to end nuclear tests brought new hope to thousands of British women. The fact that the British government has not yet responded to the repeated appeals of the people for the ending of all tests and the beginning of general disarmament, must make each of us in Britain renew our efforts. GREECE Mrs. ELSA A. HADJIARGHYRIS General Secretary of the Anti-Colonial League of Greece . We must unite our efforts in order that women, without distinction of race, religion or nationality may attain the highest aims. We must help the women, so that they can reach the highest level of life under all aspects and in full equality with men. Up to now, women have held an inferior position to men as far as economic, scientific, cultural and public life is concerned. After the first World War, we experienced a revolutionary change for women. A new horizon opened up before them. A new life. Ravages, catastrophes and economic ruin — the result of the war — dbliged them to face reality. They began to think differently. Daily necessities forced them to shake off their prejudices and to take their courage in both hands. They came to a decision. They must work, they must help the men with the reorganisation of public as well as of private life’ They were sure of 74 === [PDF page 75] === " fhemselves. They looked forward to the new life which opened before them | with confidence. ... The extent of women’s influence was very restricted. But in our time, roman has acquired political rights, and her power is daily extending. If ie has the strength and the capability, she can obtain the highest results, can outdo men in certain fields and can attain exceptional results for the good of humanity. _ We must take into consideration, that nearly half of the population of ery country consists of women. The main thing is to unite our efforts and our will, so that we will ever again experience a war, so that this horrible spectre disappears once and for all, so that atomic energy be used for the progress of science and for the happiness of the whole world. io “Women’s organisations of each country should amalgamate, and come to "a sincere and cordial understanding. This will prevent new catastrophies from which future generations will have to suffer. _ Forgive me for having perhaps tired you, but permit me all the same to idd a few words on the critical problem of great importance which is at present facing Greece: the Cyprus conflict! We demand the right of free = control over Cyprus and the cessation of tortures and death sentences. _ Cyprus must be liberated. As long as the island is under British occupation, " the British will be free to launch an attack against the Arab world from _ this strategically dangerous point, at any given moment. But Cyprus should be a link in the chain of friendship between the Greek and the Arab | peoples. The Arab problems and those of the Middle East as well as of the Mediterranean must be seen in the light of the anti-colonial movement, if ‘we are to obtain the results which we all desire, namely freedom for the _ colonial peoples and the stabilisation of peace. _ The ethnarch Monseigneur Makarios, the only national leader elected by _ the*Cyprian people, who has become the symbol of anti-colonialism for us. at a Press Conference held in Athens on 19th June 1957 dencunced the _ tortures and atrocities which are reminiscent of the Middle Ages. These | included choking with a steel band. twisting of the genitials and twisting of Greek peasant women of Delphi === [PDF page 76] === women’s breasts until the tortured person faints, beating on the head, the kidneys, the stomach with an iron cudgel or with heavy iron sticks, needles and tooth-picks under the nails and then torn out. This denouncement on the part of the ethnarch Makarios was made after receipt of 317 declarations signed by victims of such atrocities. Those among you who belong to free nations, unite your voice with ours and help us. Help our sisters in Cyprus who are fighting for their liberty and for their just rights. Help the mothers of Cyprus who are forced to see their children tortured. Help — so that the atrocities will cease. Women can play an important part on the scene of world politics, for the freedom of the suppressed peoples. United, they have an immense power, which will force the heads of States to consider their word with greater attention. We want to live in freedom, we have the right to live in freedom, independant of all foreign influence. Mrs. MARIE SVOLO deputy of Athens We come from a country which is small in size but great in its historic past and in its sacrifices to human ideals; we should like to convey to you the cordial and enthusiastic greetings of the women of Greece, who have in the recent past fought to defend life by their fight against the establishment of rocket launching sites. We should like to convey to you the determined and moving greetings of women who have been detained as political prisoners, some of them for 10, 12 or even 13 years for their activities in the vanguard of those fighting for democracy and for a better world. We should finally like to convey to you the greetings of Greek women in Cyprus, standing by the side of the entire population of Cyprus in an unequal and bloodstained fight against the British colonialists for their right to self-determination. The times in which we live are very critical. Our responsibility is as vast as the extent of the catastrophe which threatens us. This important meeting testifies that we are ready to shoulder our responsibility in warding off these dangers; we are prepared to stand up in defence of human life upon this earth, in defence of the lives of our children and of our young generation. But these dangers must first be pointed out and branded if they are to be warded off, to make a \vigorous defence of peace and human life possible. We must know the enemies of peace and the methods which they use, so as to rouse the women of the world; this alone will enable us to make a tenacious and persevering effort to unite and mobilise the forces of the people with a view to averting imminent disaster and rendering impossible the event of a thermonuclear war, which would mean the fotal destruction of the human race. Let us therefore give due warning of the dangers: the policy of cold war, 76 Aare Stn te oe eee === [PDF page 77] === hich leads to the formation of military blocks and to colonial oppression d fascism in various forms. I shall confine my remarks to a brief account of the repercussions of ese dangers in our country. Greece is a country whose national independence is limited, in many ‘espects extremely limited. Greece could be described as a semi-colonial untry. American intervention in the country’s economic and political life revails to such an extent, that even the foreign policy conducted by the overnment does not primarily serve the national interests of Greece, but only in as far as American interests will permit. .. As a result of American intervention, Greece has adopted the Eisenhower doctrine, which could at any moment expose the country to the danger of becoming involved in a possible aggression by the United States in the Middle East against the Arab countries, with which Greece maintains friendly relations. ~ For the same reason Greece has not developed her commercial relations with the socialist countries to the extent demanded by the interests of our agricultural workers and by existing possibilities. It should be noted that before the Second World War, Greece had economic relations with all these countries. The rural population of Greece is most anxious to establish ‘such relations, and as everyone knows, economic relations form the basis. of peacelful co-existence, which corresponds to the interests of all countries, As for colonialism in the old style, such as that subjugating the people of Cyprus, who have stood up in arms fighting British colonialism for the last three years, this is maintaining an extremely dangerous incendiary spot for a war in the eastern Mediterranean, and is becoming manifest in increasingly ‘inhuman and cynical forms. Following the principle ‘divide and rule’, the British colonialists are inciting the Turkish minority of 80,000 inhabitants against the Greek majority of 420,000, with whom they had previously been living on very friendly terms. At the present moment the British colonialists are doing their best to unleash a civil war. . As far as military blocks are concerned, it should be noted Greece is a member of NATO, frequently having to sacrifice her own interests to those of that military block; our country cannot even exercise the same rights as the other members of this block, because American pressure is all the more powerful as the force of resistance of our own government is reduced. Military expenditure in Greece amounts to 52% of the budget, while only 7% are allocated to education and 4% to the social services. This fact is having a deplorable effect upon the general living standard of the population. According to the latest official data, 3 million out of a total of 8,050,000 are in a state of utter destitution with a monthly income of 4 dollars. Against military bases . But worse than all these things is the fact that the American policy of using the countries of Europe for the establishment of rocket launching sites is conjuring up the danger of total destruction in Greece. At the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the N.A.T.O. countries, Greece agreed in principle to the installation of such bases. This created a great stir === [PDF page 78] === among the Greek people, who raised strong protest despite police violence. A large number of organisations of every kind — scientific, cultural, professional and workers’ organisations, organisations of the bar, municipalities of large towns, personalities 4nd above all the Greek movement for peace and international detente sent deputations to the Government or issued declarations of protest. A whole movement was formed in the struggle against rocket launching sites. In the Peloponnenus, in Messenia. the peasants wielded their pick-axes and shovels to force some workers who had come to prepare the ground for the construction of an airport, to clear off, believing that the workers had come to install a_ rocketlaunching site. There was a debate in the Chamber, where the Government was obliged to appease general opinion by declaring that it had taken on no pledges with regard to these bases. It is extremely interesting to note that large numbers. of Greek voters ait the last election declared themselves against rocket launching sites. ... During the electicn campaign the words: “Down with the bases” could be heard in all parts of the country. . Dear friends, let us all join forces in the fight against neo-fascism which would once again lead us to ruin. Let us all unite in an effort to liberate democratic women still in prison. Let us all unite in the struggle against imperialism and the different forms of colonialism. Let us unite to ensure the national liberation of the peoples still subjected to colonial domination. Let us unite in order to protect human life against the catastrophe of thermonuclear war. Let us make the cry of the Greek people: “Down with rocket launching sites!” become the common demand of all the peoples. GUADELOUPE Mme. HUGUETTE DANINTHE Delegate from the Guadeloupe Women’s Union . The defence of life cannot be conceived in hatred, for hatred sows death and consequently suffering and despair wherever it appears. At present, women the world over have awakened, even in the so-called “underdeveloped” countries; they are waging a desperate struggle to improve their living conditions, in defence of their children and for peace. Despite all oppression, the women of Guadeloupe are fighting every day for the great aspirations of our people: liberation from the yoke of colonial oppression. liberation from the causes of misery and war. 78 HN aan et et ay Oa TG Fe RO eat MAT Cee aS ie === [PDF page 79] === I cannot speak of war and colonialism without thinking of the Algerian people, of our sisters in Algeria, who, like the people and the women in _ Vietnam befcre them, are experiencing the horrors of colonialism at its - worst; the colonial oppressors not only coldly shed the blood of the _ Algerian people but also that cf the young Frenchmen whom they have involved in this dirty war. _ Resistance to repression _... There are certain people who reproach the colonial peoples for being - too exacting: civilisation is brought to them and yet they complain. But _ how much insult and vexation, how many humiliating words, “dirty wretch”, “dirty nigger’, how much starvation, how many slums and how much misery was also brought alongside with this civilisation. It must now be realized that the struggle against oppression is a natural right. The people of Guadeloupe, moreover, wish to administer their own affairs. We hold that governments which are separated from us by many thousands of miles, which do not know our country, which have no knowledge either of the psychology of our people, or of its needs, its aspirations and its problems, could not function in the interest of our people, even with the best of wills. That is why the Guadeloupe Women’s Union may state on behalf of all women of Guadeloupe that an alteration of the legal status of the country, tending towards internal autonomy with a local assembly composed of national leaders, which should take the destiny of our country into its hands, would be the most vital condition to allow women in Guadeloupe to fulfil their function as mothers, working people and citizens. It is in this spirit that our organisation, which had hitherto been a remote provincial branch of the Union of French Women, has changed into the _ Guadeloupe Women’s Union with its own statutes, adapted to the conditions in our country. We hope that our French friends will understand this development and not consider this step as a systematic rupture, but rather regard it as a necessary stage in the history of our autonomy. We count on their continued aid, guidance and advice, just as our people count upon the solidarity and friendship of the French people, which has always waged an embittered struggle against colonialism and for the emancipation of the oppressed peoples. The Guadeloupe Women’s Union and the people of Guadeloupe would also like to make an appeal for the support of all democratic forces in Latin and Central America; I should like to beg instantly all delegates and friends from; Martinique, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad, Cuba, Porto- Rico, Haiti, etc., to make some mention of Guadeloupe when they return to their countries; I beg them to give word of warning with regard to the fascist menace threatening us at present, to appeal to the friendship and solidarity of their people for the people of Guadeloupe. and to keep in regular contact with our country. Security of the home Of course this principal aim which we have set ourselves has not made us forget the secondary but immediate aims of our struggle for better living conditions. === [PDF page 80] === The fulfilment of our role as mothers demands that the security of the home be guaranteed from the beginning of married life; by this I mean that there should be understanding, good humour, joy, health and happiness in the home. But could anyone be good-humoured, living in a miserable strawcovered hut with only one room for the whole family? Could our children possibly be in good health in these wretched, unhygienic huts without any conveniences, like those in the slums of Pointe a Pitre and other parts of Guadeloupe? These things make it necessary for us to fight for an effective housing policy, for an extension of building credits, and we must encourage our fellow-countrymen in this direction. Our role as mothers begins with the first days of pregnancy. We should like to give birth to healthy and strong babies. But how can we do so, if we as mothers enjoy no social legislation for the protection of maternity? In Guadeloupe pregnant women are undernourished, they are not adequately observed and cared for, prenatal consultations are insufficient and badly organised. Pregnant women work up to the day of their confinement; frequently they give birth to their children in the fields of the sugar cane plantations where they work, on the way to work or in the bus. The women of Guadeloupe will have to demand the application of laws on the protection of maternity in order to fulfil their function as mothers in a satisfactory way; they will have to fight for maternity homes, hospitals, doctors, and midwives in adequate numbers, so that we may also one day be delivered of our children without pain. We envy those mothers who have had the fortune to give birth to their children full of joy thanks to the application of this wonderful psycho-prophylactic method. We shall not only have to fight for the protection of our childrens’ health if we are to fulfil our role as mothers in an effective way from the moment of their birth; we shall also have to continue the struggle for hygienic conditions; against insects; against rickets and undernourishment. Furthermore we must fight for the introduction of a social legislation on the protection of children, and for the provision of family allowances which will enable us to bring our children up in a decent way. We are determined to defend their right to education; more than half of all children of school age in our country cannot read or write owing to a lack of schools, Classes are overcrowded with 80—100 children per class: other children have to stay at home in order to look after their small brothers and sisters while their parents go out to work. There are no creches, no nurseries and only two or three preparatory school classes in the residential areas oft the well-to-do Discrimination . In a country where racial hatred is doing serious harm we, the women of Guadeloupe, are faced with the task of raising the spirit of our children above all this misery born of prejudice and false conceptions surrounding us. We shall not be satisfied to watch over the things they read and to combat pernicious films which are shown with the intention of brutalizing them; we shall also make it our duty to watch their relations with other children, so that they should not be drawn into the stream of hatred which the colonialists try to stir up among the white and 80 === [PDF page 81] === ack children. Hardly two months ago, an abominable thing happened at a secondary school in Guadeloupe. A small white boy had a pop-gun; jhe played at “shooting” his little black playmates and used language unusual for a child of his age. No doubt he had heard these words at ‘home. A small black boy snatched his “toy” out of his hand and asked him to apologize. The whole quarrel was not all that perious, you know how ‘things go with children... The teacher settled the matter and everything would have been all right... but in the evening a policeman arrived. Without the teacher’s permission he took the little black boy to the police station for some unknown misdeed. In fact the little white boy had complained to his father, an attorney and thus a powerful man, who had thereupon ordered the little black boy to be taken to the police station, _as though this was quite a normal thing to do. Don’t you think it rather cruel that children should be subjected to this _ kind of treatment? Dear friends, do you think that our children should be treated in this way solely because they have a dark skin? We, the women of Guadeloupe, are determined to defend our children against all these cruelties. We are hungry, we are thirsty, we live in misery, we have nothing and our children are our only wealth. We shall defend them against want and misery like a tigress defends her young; we'‘shall defend them against war, humiliations and discriminations, determined to play our role as mothers to the bitter end. Rights Guadaloupe is mainly an agricultural country. Large French companies have seized hold of all the land; they are intensely cultivating sugar-cane _ in order to extract sugar and rum- The one-sided cultivation of sugar-cane is disastrous for the country’s economy: there is no work. Certain women _ work on the sugar plantations for part of the year, weeding, manuring or binding; others are domestic servants, charwomen, saleswomen, office employees, typists and a small number of them are low-grade civil servants. nurses, midwives, teachers, etc.... Women in Guadeloupe have no great choice of work; they are above all handicapped by the fact that they are not able to learn a trade while they are young, due to a shortage of apprentice shops and trade schools. But today they nearly all want to work, to help to bring a little comfort _ to their homes. Our womens’ organisation is trying to guide and help the women along this road; experience has taught us that work helps women to unfold their talents and abilities, to become aware of their responsibility within society and thus to assert their personalities, The Guadeloupe Womens’ Union believes that sufficient labour could be provided for women if a policy for the just redistribution of the land were to be pursued; if a solution were to be found for the problem of droughts and permanent water shortage by way of providing a system of irrigation in our parts; in this way the soil could be properly watered, so that new crop varieties might be introduced such as: rice, potatoes, market-gardening produce, early fruits and vegetables; this would furthermore enable us to provide good pasture land to help livestock breeding. In addition we 81 === [PDF page 82] === should enrich our national economy by setting up new undertakings and industries and by developing local manufactures and the tourist trade. As for those women who are employed, our organisation is waging a joint struggle together with the trade unions for a decent standard of payment. If I tell you that women binding sugar-cane take four or five days to fulfill their task and then take home 700 francs, and that saleswomen draw no more than 5 to 6,000 francs a month, on which they have to keep large families, you may understand how women are exploited in our country. Low salaries and high costs of living — we have to import everything, even carrots and apples — means privation and misery in countless homes. Yet in spite of all these hardships, the women of Guadeloupe stand firmly by the side of the men wherever this may be necessary. Our women are conscious of their function and their duties as citizens Women go to the polls in large numbers at election time, and you can take it from me that it is the womens’ vote which weighs down the scales in favour of the democratic forces of our country. The women of Guadeloupe known what they want; they know who really wants to help them, they know their real friends. The women of Guadaloupe have answered the call of our organisation to launch a broad campaign against election corruption — one of the big scourges of colonial oppression. The presence of more than 400 women at the Congress against corruption convened by the Guadeloupe Womens’ Union reflected the way in which the women in our country have advanced in their development, how they are taking an interest in public affairs and how they are firmly deciding to play their part as citizens, in particular with regard to defending their civic rights. Many women in our country are municipal councillors, two women are general councillors, and since 1946 women have been voting in ge numbers for a Woman Deputy in the French National Assembly. Our friend Gerty Archiméde, Honorary President of the Guadeloupe Womens’ Union, is mayor and general councillor; she would furthermore have been the deputy of the women of Guadeloupe, if the administration had not brought about the election of a man standing for fraud and reaction. The Guadeloupe Womens’ Union is proud to give encouragement to this enthusiastic effort of the women in our country towards their full emancipation. Our task is by no means easy; we are still confronted with many difficulties, above all material and financial difficulties. There are no meeting halls; we meet in class-rooms or gardens. We have no regular press publication to keep our women informed about current topics which might interest them. Our membership consists of very poor women, wives of unemployed workers and mothers of large families; they cannot pay contributions. which means that we are faced with insurmountable financial difficulties. As far as our material situation is concerned, we have literally nothing to our name: no typewriter, no duplicating machine, no propaganda material (tape recorder, records, films, etc.). Those women who would be in a situation to give us intellectual and financial aid refuse to take any open part in our work, even if they sympathise with us cr approve of our activities, out of fear of losing: their job. But the large mass of working women always respond to our appeals, even if in no other way but by their 82 === [PDF page 83] === PF TR ARE Ret SO Set HS Rel By ray HP presence at our demonstrations. That is our greatest source of hope and consolation. _ Please forgive me, dear friends for having taken so long, but I could not have said less about my country, particularly in view of the fact that noted that many friends knew nothing about Guadeloupe and some had never heard of it. _ I think that we cannot afford to go on complaining and crying without end about our misery and hardship. We have now surpassed the stage of " lamentation and resignation. I think that you will be satisfied to learn _that even on that small and isolated island of Guadeloupe there are “courageous women, determined to defend their rights as mothers, workers and citizens. They call upon the organisations of more advanced countries for help. _ At all times they rely upon the cordial aid, the friendship and solidarity of*the W.I.D.F. We should like to avail ourselves of this occasion to thank the W.I1.D.F. for all its understanding and care, and to express the desire that it might live as long as there be women in the world — that is for ever. GUATEMALA Mrs. MARICEL DE PAZ delegate of the “Guatemalan Woman” The whole world has noted and condemned the shameful foreign inter- _ vention which caused the overthrow in June 1954 of the democratic government under the presidency of Colonel Jacques Arbenz. Since that time our _ people has been living under the tyrannical yoke of anti-national regimes dominated by American imperilism. These gradually abolished the economic and social achievements won by the people. by the men and women of our country in bitter struggle. The regime imposed upon the people after the foreign intervention led by Carlos Castillo Armas, a hireling and traitor to his country, prohibited all democratic political, social and cultural organisations, from political parties to institutions such as the House of Culture, the Guatemalan ballet and choir. The Guatemalan Womens’ Alliance which had played an important part in the conquest of womens’ rights and demands, was also swept away by this wave of oppression. For the last three years, i.e. ever since the installation of the Castillo Armas Government, women have been prohibited from fighting for their rights as workers, mothers and citizens. Yet this brutal regime failed to silence the women. In strictest secrecy they organised in the most varied forms, in order to fight for their demands. March 8th was celebrated every 83 === [PDF page 84] === year, even if only in a very modest way; and so was Mothers’ May. By our presence we contributed to the observance of days such as May Day, September 15th (National Independence Day), and October 20th (anniversary of the democratic revolution). Important improvements had been won under the democratic regime. The repeal of the Constitution and of the rights guaranteed by the Labour Code has had a most unfavourable effect upon the situation of working women. The principle of “Equal pay for equal work” is being increasingly disregarded. Yet important actions have brought about far reaching changes in the situation of working women. In the course of the struggle to re-establish the working class movement they were able to organise and play a greater role in fighting actions. Some of our friends are members of leading committees of trade union branches or federations, and because -of their devotion to the cause others have been entrusted with responsible offices in the movement for trade union unity. Since May Day this year the trade unions have been endeavouring to establish a Central United Organisation of Labour; this movement arose from an idea advanced by the Workers’ Conference in defence of wages and trade union rights, which took place last April. In the countryside oppression has been taking a particularly savage form. No difference was made in the treatment of men or women, old people or children. Expulsions, wanton destruction of crops, burning down of the humble dwellings of agricultural workers and massacres of peasants were the order of the day. All advantages obtained under the agrarian reform passed by the democratic government were done away with. In contrast to the understanding attitude of the Arevale and Arbenz Governments which tried to solve the problems of children and youth in Guatemala, the new regime systematically abolished most of the acquisitions obtained in this respect, as for instance nurseries and child welfare centres. Even children are nowadays subject to discrimination according to the political and ideological outlook of their parents. ... The struggle waged by the people has led to important changes in the country’s political life. Following the death of Castillo Armas and the disintegration of the groups supporting him, it was possible to hold comparatively free elections which resulted in the rise of General Miguel Idigoras Fuentes. He represents the interests of the landowners and reactionary capitalists. He won the election through false promises of democracy during the election campaign and the people’s desire for an end to political intolerance and to the brutality and lawlessness of Castillo Armas and his group. Idigoras Fuentes promised to conduct‘a policy of national reconciliation, but refused to order an amnesty for political prisoners and to allow the return of exiles. We women have taken prominent action in the struggle for democratic liberties and human rights. The Patriotic Union for the Liberation of Political Prisoners and for the Return of Exiles is conducting a campaign in defence of these aims. Other organisations have joined in this campaign, including the Committee of Social Defence and the Childrens’ Committee. We, Guatemalan women, who have lived to see our country invaded, our towns bombarded and our sovereign rights and national independence 84 atmo am A hh === [PDF page 85] === trampled on, we, who know the meaning of economic and _ political dependence, are fully aware of the importance of the people’s struggle for ational liberation. Only an economically and politically independent country ‘is capable of assuring its people a happy life. HUNGARY Message from Hungarian Women _ As soon as they learned that the IVth Congress of the W.1.D.F. was to be held, Hungarian women recognised the importance of this powerful _ peace demonstration. Each one felt moved to make a personal contribution _ towards its success. Each one was eager to emphasise her devotion to the cause of peace and to voice her protest against colonialism. Greetings to the Congress were sent by about one million women. They sent photograph albums containing dedications expressing their cordial feelings of friendship. They also addressed post cards to the Congress, with the emblem of the Federation on the front and the items on the agenda of the Congress on the other side. These post cards were issued on March 8th and distributed among the women of our country, who signed them and sent _ them to us as an expression of their determination to fight for peace. Through these post cards they can establish personal contact with women _ of other countries. We should like to ask you and all those taking part _ in the Congress to help us in this respect. Hungarian women would be very happy to receive replies from women in various parts of the world. We hope that these post cards will be received as a symbol of the ardent and sincere desire of Women in Hungary to fight for peace and for the application of the decisions taken at the [Vth Congress of the W.1.D.F. === [PDF page 86] === ICELAND Mrs. GUDRUN EINARSDOTTIR Iceland Women’s Unity for Culture and Peace Situation Iceland is a small country and sparsely populated, but we have a remarkable history and culture which dates back a thousand years. This ancient culture we do not want to lose. The presence of a foreign army in our country is therefore a matter of grief to all true Icelanders. We are aware of the cultural and economic danger involved when a foreign army is stationed in a small country. In particular we are anxious about the welfare of the younger generation. Iceland Women’s Unity for Culture and Peace which is a member of the Women’s International Democratic Federation was founded in 1951, the year when the foreign army was brought to Iceland. From the beginning it has been our fundamental aim to strive for the withdrawal of this army. To this end our organisation has repeatedly sent appeals to the Icelandic parliament and has used every opportunity to support similar efforts from others. So far we have not succeeded, but we shall never give up our struggle until the last foreign soldier has left our country. Activities As the name of our organisation implies (Iceland Women’s Unity for Culture and Peace), the defence of peace and culture rates among the most important issues on our program. The organisation has been of assistance to women fighting for their various rights. In cooperation with the Mother’s Society, the Women’s Socialist Association, the Society for Women’s Rights and the Women’s Labour Associations we managed to influence the legislative assembly concerning the rights of unmarried and divorced women. The Mother’s Society and the Women’s Socialist Association have ‘programs which in some respects are similar to ours, except for the latter society being a political organisation. Both of these societies have representatives at this congress. Among other activities of our organisation may be mentioned the repeated appeals we have sent to the Icelandic parliament for equal pay and for changes of the tax law for the benefit of married women. Equal pay for functionaries of the State is fixed by law, but has not so far been put universally into practice. Every years since the foundation of our organisation we have held public meetings where lectures have been given on various topics relating to cultural or educational matters, the struggle for peace against atomic weapons etc. Furthermore. our organisation has, in cooperation with the 86 === [PDF page 87] === Mother’s Society, initiated a campaign for the building of a recreation home for young people. As regards international affairs our organisation has always protested against any kind of warfare. the producing of atornic eapons and political persecution of individuals. We Icelanders have ways been a peaceloving people. However, our country has now been brought into a military alliance with great powers. A foreign army is ationed in the most densely populated part of the country, some 50 kiloeters from the capital. According to investigations Iceland rates among the countries with the maximum fallout from nuclear bombs. which may ‘in the near future effect the health of our people. _ At the beginning of this congress we commemorated aiiihee! festival day. International Children’s Day. That was indeed appropriate. More than anything else we have our children in mind when we struggle for peace on earth. In Iceland we have our own Children’s Day, the first day of summer. This day is an official holiday. during which money is collected for the support of children’s welfare. Dear Friends. We shall never give up our struggle. we shall raise our voices until they are heard. For what is the value of all the treasures on this earth, if they can not be enjoyed in a peaceful world? === [PDF page 88] === The women workers of the bigg The annual Congress of the Der nocratic Union of 8eest steel works in India are claiming a wage increase. Ceylon Women === [PDF page 89] === INDONESIA Mrs. R. A. HIDAJAT Vice-Chairman Indonesian Constituent Assembly _ The items on the agenda of this Congress induced me to attend the IvVth Congress of the W.I.D.F. _ The points I wish to make are very short but they reflect the desires and ideals of humanity in general; I mean the duties of women, especially as world citizens. 1. Is it not the duty of each person to defend and maintain peace for the sake of their lives, to make efforts to avoid destruction of life, and to make life happier? 2. Should woman not fulfil her multiple role, her role as a woman, wife, mother and citizen with full consciousness? . Is it not right that we as mothers should find a good and peaceful place to educate our children where they can realise the meaning of the words “peace” and “friendship” between one another with understanding? The present world seems to become smaller and smaller because communications are better and there is a closer association which should mean a better association too. These are my conclusions, and I hope that the three items mentioned above may be discussed and developed with good results, as we all have _ hoped for. I am certain that all of you participating in this Congress, coming from so many countries, being capable and competent, will find the best solution to these questions which are being discussed at this Congress. In conclusion I would like to express to you my gratitude at having the opportunity to attend this Congress, which will forever remain a valuable memory. Mrs. MUDIGDIO Head of the Indonesian Delegation Vice President of Gerwani (Indonesian Women’s Movement) The Indonesian Delegation, representing the Indonesian Women’s Movement (Gerwani), and women supporting the struggle of Gerwani, extends, on behalf of 663,740 Gerwani members, the warmest fraternal greetings to this great,Congress of the W.LD.F. 89 === [PDF page 90] === In_ Indonesia women are making a determined claim for equal pay for equal work, For 12 years the W.I.D.F. has played a significant role and has made a great impression on the struggle of women throughout the world. The Declaration of Women’s Rights adopted at the Copenhagen Congress lays down a clear line for our work in each of our countries. This Declaration is a great inspiration to women who are struggling in many countries and it has inspired millions of women with different political views. The W.1.D.F. Congress, which is being held at a very dangerous moment in international affairs, when peace is threatened, is therefore very important and of great significance for the fight to save mankind. We welcome the steps taken by the government of the Soviet Union, which has firmly resolved to terminate atom- and hydrogen bomb-tests unilaterally. We urge the government of the U.S.A. and Britain to follow the example of the Soviet Union. The majority of men and women in the world, including those of Asia and Africa, desire peaceful coexistence, as laid down in the principle of the Bandung Conference. But the instigators of war are still indulging in aggressive acts, as they did in Egypt during the Suez Canal conflict, and in Algeria, where the people are fighting for their liberation and where the heroine, Djamila Bouhired, has become the symbol of their fight. The same pattern has been followed in other African ccuntries and also in Indonesia, too, where they are interfering in our internal affairs. However, the people cf the world cannot remain indifferent towards all these criminal attempts by imperialism to unleash a new war and to suppress the national liberation movements. The Indonesian people who are now fighting for their full national independence are, together with the Armed Forces and their Government, unanimously determined to oppose any measure or step of the Dutch to snmas ae ae ead eet ht ee ene === [PDF page 91] === _ maintain their control of West Irian. The fight of the Indoensian people is directed towards ending the economic contol of the Dutch by taking over _ Dutch enterprises, including plantations, sugar factories and other enterprises. In the midst of the resistance of the Indonesian people, treasonable ' activity and disorder arose, stirred up by foreign forces. Foreign intervention by USA and SEATO was exposed when they dropped weapons for the PRRI (selfstyled rebellion government) and when they bombed Indonesian territory. These acis of intervention of the USA in the Phillippines and Taiwan cannot be covered up. President Sukarno sharply oriticised these acts and called them not only intervention but aggression, which must therefore be opposed. It goes without saying that we were supported from the countries and peoples of Asia and Africa, who have adhered to the principles of Bandung and Cairo, from the countries and peoples of the Socialist camp. and from the people of the imperialist countries themselves, who oppose their governments policies of spreading confusion and wars in other countries. It is precisely because of this great international solidarity that the Indonesian people become fully convinced that these imperialist wars of intervention can be defeated. We believe that this Congress will be able to render a great contribution to the strengthening of the fight for national independence, and we also believe that this stand will be supported by the women of the imperialist countries themselves. Such support has been shown by a group of American women who sent us their greetings and best wishes for the victory of the Indonesian women’s struggle. The main points of discussion as presented in the report are a correct formulation of the line of women’s struggle and we therefore warmly endorse them. In Indonesia, conditions are still backward, semifeudal and colonial in character, with a very dependent economy and underdeveloped industry. Naturally the life of our women is still backward. The principle of women participating in production has been understood, but Indonesian women are still struggling to put it into practice. We are learning from our sisters in the Soviet Union, in China and other people's democracies, who are constructing their socialist economy, so Indonesian women know that they can look forward to a bright future and to real emancipation. We are of the opinion that for the women’s movement in Asian and African countries greater attention must be paid to the problem. of peasant women. On a rising tide of anti-colonialism, Gerwani is actively trying to broaden its organisation, membership and activities. At its third national congress in December 1957, attended by Mrs Maddalena Rossi and Mrs Zeisat Dejeddaoui from Egypt as delegates from the W.I.D.F.. we decided to change the constitution and to adopt an improved programme. making it easier to broaden the women’s movement. Resolutions were adopted on the increase in the price of rice, and protests against assaults on women committed in several regions. Other important resolutions on West Irian. peace. co-operation and demanding a just marriage law were also passed. === [PDF page 92] === Co-operation In the field of co-operation with other women’s organisations, especially in the fight for women’s rights, constant efforts are made to find points of agreement. An example of this was the preparation of the Indonesian delegation for the Asian-African Women’s Conference held in Colombo, which was decided on in co-operation with the Indonesian Women’s Congress. Although this conference did not take decisions, it was welcomed as the start of friendly relations and mutual understanding between women of Asia and Africa which can be developed in the future. The protest actions against the death sentence imposed on the Algerian fighter Djamila Bouhired were also supported by the Indonesian Women’s Congress. International Women’s Day 1958 was widely celebrated with other organisations and personalities outside the Indonesian Women’s Congress. The same was true of the endorsement of the declaration of President Sukarno. In the fight against foreign intervention, Gerwani co-operates in a large mass movement which includes several groups of differing political views and religions. On the question of co-operation with the Army, Gerwani has its representative on the National Front for the Liberation of West Irian and in the Women’s Auxiliary forces of co-operation. The principle of co-operation with broad circles of the people in the fight for national freedom is urgently. necessary for achieving firm national unity. In following our aims in our own country, we always maintain our links with and learn from the experiences of women’s movements in other countries. We receive women’s publications from several countries and there is much material in them which we can use to improve our organisational work. In particular we adapt our work to the directives and the policy of the W.LD.F. This growing international solidarity has a great influence in the fight against colonialism and for national independence. That is why we would like to appeal to women throughout the world to fight for the strengthening of unity and against any suppression. Mrs. A. GAMBARI Doctor of Medicine Council member of the W.I.D.F Our people are living through one of the most difficult periods of their history at present. A fascist, military regime has been imposed upon us by foreign capitalists and their government (United States and Great Britain) by means of a coup which was organized five years ago. It is a regime of terror throughout the country. The main instigators of this fascist conspiracy are the international oil trusts which drag our people into 92 === [PDF page 93] === angerous international situations for no other reason but to consolidate their hold on our wealth. This government has attacked all democratic movements, such as the peace movement, the anti-colonial movement, all the workers’ clubs, women’s organizations and all national and democratic parties. They accomplish this by pillaging and burning their headquarters, just as they estroyed the house of the former Prime Minister, Dr. Mossadegh, because he resisted the unreasonable demands of the oil trusts. The prisons are filled to overflowing with patriots and with ordinary people who only put their signature under a peace petition. Finally, dear delegates, in order that you may understand the terror and e oppression bearing down upon our country, it will be enough to read an excerpt from a letter written to the king by one of the great mohammedan religious leaders of Iran in the beginning of 1958: “Insecurity and the lack of liberty as well as the illegal repression in our country have reached such a point that I feel obliged to speak up. If the people who have been arrested “are guilty before the law, why don’t you try them in public, and if they are not guilty, what are the reasons for these measures? If this situation continues, I, for one, shall feel obliged to leave the country.” As you can see, repression and terror have come to such a pitch that even a religious leader, known for his non-partisanship in political questions, 3 prefers to emigrate. s The fascist coup is a great drama in our country’s history. Its main aim, was to crush the great movement of national liberation of the people of _ Iran, because this movement was so powerful that it could have prevented foreign exploitation of the oil riches in our country as well as our participation in the Bagdad Pact. This pact is hated by the Iranian people, and expecially by the women and mothers, because it is directed against our economic interests and against the national independence of our country. It constitutes not only a direct threat to peace in the Near and Middle East, but it brings with it detrimental economic consequences for these countries, from which the women are the first to suffer. The expenditures caused by this pact are financed through indirect taxes paid by the people of Iran, weighing heavily on the women and mothers _ of Iran who must earn their bread by the sweat of their brow in 12 to 14 hours of work a day. So much misery has been created in our country that even in the circles responsible for this agressive policy, in Parliament and in the Senate, people have started talking about it. That is the reason why the majority of our people are against this pact which makes their lives still more difficult and at the same time transforms their country into a military base which threatens peace and their own independence. The people demand the withdrawal from the Baghdad Pact. coOREAaHADAAYs yew === [PDF page 94] === Mrs. SALWA ZAKU journalist We regret very much that our preparation for this International Congress is not as it should be, due to the special circumstances our country is in at present. We are limited in our activities and they are inadequate to meet the requirements of our citizens and country. Every attempt to try and unite Iraq with the independent nations or to create contact between them is opposed with threats and torture. The political situation in Iraq has reached a crisis as a result of the policy of pressure and constraint used against citizens. Strong opposition to these policies have brought about more than one revolution. In our country today there are no political parties at all. The democratic rights provided in the Constitution mean nothing to the ordinary Iraqi citizen. The last parliamentary elections, which took place two months ago. were a sham which the nation met with complete boycott. At a time when the nation is suffering from poverty and increasing diseases, enormous amounts of money are being spent on building military bases, bridges and roads, and also for bribes to hinder the free movements in neighbouring countries. In this difficult situation, the national movement, comprising all national parties now illegal, is being strengthened. All the national organisations have joined it, as well as a great number of citizens. The whole nation is opposed to the present government, which is the representative of imperialism in our country. The nation is aiming to join other independent — really independent — Arab nations. In Iraq, the government announced its support,of the Lebanese government which is fighting against its people. This support was announced in the name of the Iraqi nation, although in fact it is the Lebanese people which has our clear and full support. The Iraqi people supports the struggling people of the Lebanon and strongly protests against the open intervention of the USA in the internal affairs of the country. All Arab nations oppose the Eisenhower Doctrine which undermines their national independence. We regret that some great powers in the world, by means of the Bagdad Pact and the Eisenhower Doctrine, are trying to stop the Arab nations from achieving their national independence and a better life. As for Palestine, the opinion and will of the Arab nation has never changed. We have one million refugees living in camps since Israel was 94 === [PDF page 95] === ablished, and these refugees must return to their motherland, The imperialist countries did not support Israel for nothing, the condition of their support was that Israel should become a base for imperialism to suppress liberal movements in the Arab countries, as happened during the Franco-British-Israeli aggression against Egypt. Arabs will never forget Palestine — never — and the only solution to this problem is the return of its native inhabitants to their motherland. _ In Algeria there is another great revolution, and France is trying in vain ‘to separate Algeria from the Arab world. Algeria is a vital part of the Arab ‘countries, and all Arab nations in their different doctrines and opinions. ‘support the struggle of the Algerians for national independence. and will ake their part in the struggle if need be. The war in Algeria must be stopped. The methods used by the French officers to terrify the Algerians are inhuman, and we in our conference on the Defence of Life should ‘support those who are defending their lives in Algeria, Lebanon. Amman, ~Yeman and Palestine. ISRAEL Mrs. DOBBA JOFFE Secretary of the Federation of Israeli Women _ Members of the Congress! - Dear Friends! I have the great honour of representing thousands of Jewish and Arab, ' women, members of the Organisation of Democratic Women of Israel, at this important Congress and I have been charged to express their hearty greetings and their best wishes for success. The peoples of the Near East are decisively opposed to the Bagdad Pact and to the enslaving Eisenhower doctrine. The latest events in theLebanon are a vivid expression of the endeavour of the Lebanese people to retain its _ independence. The interveners are responsible for the blood of the many _ killed and wounded in the Lebanon. However, we can ascertain with great satisfaction that in spite of pressure from outside, in spite of the threat of armed intervention, the peoples of _ the Near East have achieved ever greater successes in their fight for national independence. Their united anti-imperialist policy gained in incentive and. force through the creation of the “United Arab Republic”. The policy of active neutrality is an important contribution to the peace of the world. Our people is against the war propaganda spread by the militarist circles. It makes a determined stand against alliance of any kind with NATO or with the neo-fascist Wehrmacht of West Germany. === [PDF page 96] === Women in Israel de monstrate in support of their demands. Our people will never forget, that six million Jews were murdered by the Nazi beast. The majority of our people understands the terrible danger of arming the Wehrmacht with atomic weapons, a Wehrmacht led by the old Hitler generals. We demand that our government raises its determined voice against this diabolical scheme. We sympathise deeply with all those countries fighting for their national independence, and especially with the just fight of the Algerian people. We look upon the heroic women of Algeria with great admiration, and send them our enthusiastic greetings. The efforts to save the life of Djamila Bouhired found much echo in the democratic circles of Israel. Our organisation protested to the French government against the cruel verdict, and members of our organisation demonstrated in front of the French Embassy in Tel Aviv with placards demanding the repeal of the verdict. The people’s fight against the atom and hydrosen bomb tests, which is daily growing stronger, has found much echo in our country as well. Our organisation, together with the mothers’ committee, was the first in Israel to start a public campaign against the atomic tests. We collected signatures for an appeal addressed to parliament and government, demanding their intervention for the cessation of atomic tests. Our members went from house to house with informatory material on the terrible dangers of atomic weapons and tests, and we were well received everywhere we went. As a result of our close contact with women of various social levels. we were able to witness their fear and anxiety. They virtually waited for us to come and see them, and welcomed our initiative. The situation in our country and in the Near East obliges us to put all our strength into the fight for peace, and forces us to carry on our work of enlightment among the women. All problems of our personal life are subordinated to this fight. The women listen to us with an ever increasing 96 === [PDF page 97] === NPY) 2 89) BPD OD E08 gg: wp sa ‘interest, more and more they accept our explanations which prove to them that the reason for the continuous increase in the cost of living and the ‘heavy taxation which weighs upon the population is our: economic dependence and our exaggerated military budget. To this day, the heavy consequences of Israel’s share in the Suez adventure, which cost 350 Million Israeli Pounds, is making itself felt. About 20% of the workers of our country are fully or partially unemployed, -one third of them are women, and many of these are the sole supporters of their families. No law in our country provides equal pay for equal work. In free professions, in the teaching profession and a few sectors of the administration, women have managed to obtain equal pay with their male colleagues. But in industry, there is a difference in wages of between 20%—30%. Our population, and especially parents and teachers, are very worried about certain negative phenomena which are appearing among our young people. The number of juvenile delinquents is increasing from year to year. Many are the victims of superficiality and the lust for adventure. These symptons are the result of a chauvinistic and militarist education, the difficult economic situation, unemployment, the difficulty of obtaining a place in middle or professional schools and the influence of trash literature and gangster films imported en masse from the USA. Dear members of this congress! Our Arab sisters, and the Arab population in our country in general, are carrying on a hard fight against discrimination and oppression. On Ist May, our members took part in a mass demonstration in Nazareth under the slogan: Abolition of the military regime, national and civil equality for all Arab citizens. The women made a courageous stand against the vicious attacks of the police. Our friend Samira Khouri, member of our Secretariat and four other women were arrested and dragged before a court martial. When we left our country, arrests and deportations were still continuing. Hundreds of victims are court-martialled and many a family is left without its supporter. Mothers and children are suffering cruelly. Our organisation, together with other democratic circles, is arranging demonstrations of protest and solidarity, demanding the immediate release of all those arrested, the return of the fathers and sons to their families. Hand in hand we shall carry on our fight — Jewish and Arab friends — the fight for the equality of the Arab population in our country, and for the abolition of the military regime, under which the majority of the Arabs in Israel have had to suffer for 10 years already. We shall not cease to struggle for the fraternization of Jews and Arabs in our country, and for peace between Israel and the neighbouring Arab countries. We are convinced, that all conflicts can be solved through peaceful negotiations, in consideration of the just demands of all peoples involved. One of these conflicts is the tragedy of the refugees, whose just right to be able to return to their native country must be recognised. Israel is an unseverable part of the Near East, its fate is closely linked with that of the peoples of this territory and of the peoples of Asia in general. === [PDF page 98] === We will carry on our fight untiringly for a policy of peace in Israel, for independence and neutrality, in the firm conviction that this is the policy which will bring us lasting peace. Long live peace! Mrs. TARSCHISCH Federation of Israeli Women In the name of the Federation of Israel Women, in which scores of thousands of women from town and village are organised as workers and employees in industry, in agriculture and services, as teachers, physicians, nurses, scientific workers; working mothers associations, kibbutz members and women settlers, I greet this fourth Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation. I express the genuine hope that this Congress will succeed in strengthening the woman’s hand in all nations in her fight for peace and creative work, and will rally round the Federation all those who believe in their hearts in true human progress, in respect of women’s rights and in fighting for peace, and the buttressing of international fraternity, especially among the women of all countries and all continents — especially among women — the haters of war. Against A and H Bombs The fourth Congress of the Federation is meeting here today at a time when fear is felt by millions of men and women throughout the world in the face of the terrible dangers threatening peace and humanity as a result of the nuclear tests. The lives of millions of men and women are endangered by disease and the most appalling illnesses due to radio-active radiation. Men of science in all parts of,the world have warned us of the grave threat to the health of mankind. The atomic tests are already poisoning the world atmosphere and are having a pernicious influence on man, flora and fauna. The decision of the Soviet government to stop unilaterally all tests of nuclear and hydrogen weapons is undoubtedly a very valuable step towards the allaying and removal of the mutual lack of confidence and faith amongst the Powers possessing atom weapons. The Feredation of Isracli Women, in its great convention of the 21st April 1958 which met in anticipation of the IVth Congress, as well as in two countrywide conventions of the Achdut Haavoda — Poalei Zion and Mapam parties, and also other meetings gave expression to the emphatic demand of the women of Israel for the banning of all atomic tests, the armaments race which is responsible for cursing the world with the atomic bomb, atomic weapons in general, ballistic missiles and other lethal war-weapons. For the sake of fostering peace and allaying international tension we demand the demilitarisation of the areas of friction and the liberation of the world from the fear of atomic weapons. The atomic disarmament of the Middle East would be the greatest step towards freeing the area from the cold war. 98 === [PDF page 99] === Mme. MARISA RODANO President of the Union of Italian Women ... In the course of the years which separate us from the World Congress of Women in Copenhagen, the activity of our organisation among the broad mass of Italian Women was conducted along the lines decided by this Congress and according to the decisions taken at our 4th National Congress. which took place on the eve of the Congress of Copenhagen, in 1953 This assembly confirmed the value of the participation of women in the struggle for peace and their importance for the success of this struggle, _ which would in fact be inconceivable in our country without the essential contribution of the broad mass of women. In a country such as Italy, where women made their entry to social and political life in the course of the _ tragic experience of the war, and by their participation in the struggle against fascism and for their national independence, they could not but be fully aware of their new responsibility in public life and of their new position in the life of their country; for them it is only natural to recognise, _ that their present function in society obliges them in the first place to _ defend peace. 1 ... In the text of the referendum issued in preparation of the 5th Congress of Italian Women in March 1956 the principal and immediate demand for _ the emancipation of women was clearly defined, and the defence of peace was stressed as an essential precondition for life and social progress. Three millions of women responded to this referendum. . At thousands of large and small meetings Italian women approved and signed an appeal addressed to the United Nations, to the Italian Government and to the Governments of the Soviet Union, the United States of America, Great Britain, France, China and India, calling upon them “to take the initiative in organising a Summit Meeting in the spirit of Geneva. with the aim of overcoming all differences which prevent peaceful coexistence, and to prohibit atomic peapons.” During the past year the attention of our organisation was concentrated. in particular upon the new dangers which have been threatening our country since our Government allowed the installation of rocket ramps in Italy. Italian women have expressed their protest against this danger in thousands of resolutions passed at small and large meetings organised on the occasion of March 8th. This campaign culminated in a great assembly which took place on March 16th at Vicence, the centre of a region where 29 === [PDF page 100] === NATO troops are stationed. 3,000 women and girls took part with great enthusiasm in this wonderful demonstration of protest against the installation of rocket launching sites. In the course of this assembly groups of women and girls collected drugs and medicines for those fighting in Algeria, as an expression of the solidarity of Italian women with the Algerian people fighting for freedom and independence. The 5th Congress of Italian Women stressed with all emphasis, that the essential aim of our women’s organisation was the realisation of the full emancipation of Italian women; it gave a clear definition of its practical objects and of the actions to be taken in pursuit of these aims. The experiences collected in the course of their struggle in defence of peace and their democratic freedoms, against misery and backward conditions has made millions of Italian women aware of their value to society. It has revealed to them the striking contradiction between their rights as proclaimed by the Constitution, and their participation in political life on the one hand, and the conditions of inferiority and unequality in which they are in fact still being kept, due to the outdated social structure of our country. The demand for dealing with the “Women’s Problem” without further delay has thus arisen from the development of the womens’ movement in the course of the struggles which we have already mentioned. During these recent years we have endeavoured to give the activities of our organisation an increasingly clear and precise character; we have tried to stress that our aim, the emancipation of women, not merely envisaged the acquisition of the rights of women (which have been laid down within the Constitution), but rather the effective application of these constitutional principles by means of legislation and the struggle for the complete and free exercise of these rights. This calls for the transformation of the structure of society, of the forms of ownership and the customs of our society. These transformations are absolutely necessary, in order to allow women to take their rightful place in the life of the country and to be, as Madame Cotton so justly pointed out in her report: “mothers, workers and citizens at once and without contradictions”. This is the struggle which we have been conducting these years in Parliament and above all by means of a broad campaign among the rank and file of Italian women. We have been concentrating first and foremost on certain basic demands such as: the right of women to work; the recognition of the value of the work performed by housewives and women in the country; equal pay for equal work; equality in the family and in the social services; more civilised living conditions in the countryside and in the south of Italy. The struggle for the emancipation of women has enabled our organisation to take a more clearly defined and even irreplaceable part among the democratic forces and organisations of our country; it has thus been able more effectively to consolidate its unity and to distinguish its activites from those conducted by hundreds of thousands of other women organised in various parties and trade unions. In a country such as our own the existencs of a Womens’ Problem makes the action of a large womens’ movement possible and necessary, whose members wage a united struggle to 100 eros AAD === [PDF page 101] === ‘solve their common problems, regardless of their various political opinions and their origin from different sections of society. On the other hand these problems are a matter of concern to the whole of Italian society, whose essential task will consist in facing and solving these problems if any advance is to be made. ' It is in fact clear that an agrarian reform and the nationalisation and ‘control of the monopolist groups, which are at present dominating the economic life of our country, will have to be the basic demand put forward ' in the struggle for the right of women to work, and for a just valuation _ of the work of peasant women. Even the claim which we are raising for the introduction of a new family law stands in contradiction to the present - forms of ownership in our country. The struggle waged by Italian women for their emancipation thus represents a great, independent and original contribution to the action conducted by the democratic forces for a reformation of the structure of society and for the application of the Constitution. Our activities have allowed us to obtain certain results, such as the ratification of the Geneva Convention no. 100 on equal pay for equal work; the _ adoption of the bill presented by Mme Merlin against prostitution; introduction of the law on the protection of domestic work, and of the law _ brought in by Mme Maria Maddalena Rossi on the admission of women to’ the juries of law courts and juvenile courts. The ratification of Convention no. 100 of L.L.O. on equal wages has - led to the reduction of the difference between wages paid to men and women respectively in certain branches of industry and agriculture. Our activities have furthermore resulted in the building of houses, schools, modern créches and automatic washing-machines which relieve Italy. Peasant women harvesting beet. === [PDF page 102] === women of the burden of domestic work. The principle reSult of our activities, however, has been to make society aware of the existence of a Womens’ Problem. The following facts are also significant. After we had brought our draft for a bill on pensions for housewives before Parliament, three similar bills were submitted by Christian-Democratic, Republican, Social Democratic and right-wing deputies. Furthermore, thousands of municipal and provincial councils unanimously voted for proposals brought in by our own councillors for granting old-age pensions to housewives. As another example we might mention the discussion at the Congress of the Federation of Women Lawyers last year regarding equal rights for married couples to which we managed to draw public attention. Finally we may state that various catholic, workers’, peasants’ and womens’ organisations have been obliged to express themselves in favour of demands raised by the Union of Italian Women. I should like also to recall the great peasants’ gatherings in the south of Italy in February 1957; the National Peasants’ Conference ‘in April 1957; the National Meeting of home-workers in Florence in February 1958, and the inquiry taking place at present about occupational training for women. On the other hand questions of equal pay, old-age pensions for housewives, the work of peasant women, etc.... formed the subject of animated discussions among the various political parties during the recent election campaign. The experiences of these recent years have proved that the struggle for emancipation offers us a platform of wide unity. May I refer in this connection to another example cited by Madame Cotton in her report: on the initiative of the Union of Italian Women a committee of representatives of eleven womens’ organisations discussed the question of equal pay at a conference and subsequently sent a delegation to investigate the situation of olive pickers in Calabre. Local unity committees and initiatives started in many Italian provinces to discuss the subject of female labour. The conference on the problem of prices, organised by the Union of Italian Women in January 1956 is a further example of joint action taken on the part of several organisations. This meeting was attended by experts representing the most varied trends of political opinion and views on economic problems. Finally our experiences have shown, that the struggle of women for peace has grown more intense as a result of a more marked concentration of our movement on womens’ problems. The overwhelming majority of women are recognising more clearly with each passing day that the conquest of their emancipation in our country is incompatible with a policy of rearmament, which withholds the economic and financial means needed for social developments, for the creation of new.places of work and for social services. Their emancipation is incompatible with a foreign policy which consolidates the predominance of those social sections in Italy, who are not willing to give up any part of their privileges, or to change a social system which is an obstacle in the way of women, depriving them of the right to work and obliging them to work in conditions of inferiority, hampering the development of their personality. 102 === [PDF page 103] === We therefore feel that we have found a way which will lead to an even greater development of our organisation. We fully agree with Madame Cotton, where she affirmed in her report, that the promotion of women represents one of the new and most striking factors in social life today. Dr. MIKAE TOMA President of Federation of Japanese women’s Organisations Death ash Today, there is on this earth something which threatens the life and welfare of women and children. It is the radioactive “death ash” resulting from, nuclear tests which continue to be conducted. The “death ash” threat hangs over all mankind and the repeated testing of nuclear weapons constitutes a grave peril and is creating profound uneasiness among people. “The “death ash” which has already penetrated into human bodies and has accumulated in them through food and drink never ceases its destructive function. It continues to exude radiation detrimental to the human body. In particular, radio activity accumulates more rapidly in the bodies of children of growing age than in those of adults. The sufferings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, 1945 still remain. Not a single year has passed without a number of deaths from radiation disease. Worse still the number of people who die from radiation disease is increasing in number, a fact which deepens the sorrow and anxiety of our people. Innocent children who were playing cheerfully yesterday are suddenly and fatally attacked by radiation disease today. There is sorrow in the voices of girls cheated of life’s spring-time. We feel sympathy with the agony of the patients who are still in bed suffering from radiation disease. Young men commit suicide because of despair over their desperate future. We know many mothers in our country who are worried by the thought of bearing babies with malformations. We also know the anguish of mothers whose dear children are deformed by hereditary effects of radiation. We know a widow who lost her dear husband—killed by “death dust’. from the hydrogen bomb test explosion on Bikini’ Atoll. We see housewives and members of their families threatened by radioactive contaminated food and drink. Against nuclear tests In the light of the harmful effects of nuclear weapons on human beings and future generations, we women and mothers throughout the world can 103 === [PDF page 104] === never permit the continuance of nuclear tests by any country under any pretext. We are firmly convinced that it is one of the decisive tasks in the fight for world peace to Press for an earlier conclusions of international agreement on the suspension of nuclear tests. We are much impressed with the announcement of the Soviet Government on the unilateral suspension of nuclear tests on 3rd March. The Japanese people who have ceaselessly been taking the initiative in the world antinuclear weapons campaign for more than ten years welcome with enthusiasm this humane measure taken by the Soviet Union. It can be said with certaintly that the recent steps taken by the Soviet Government will be brillianty recorded in world history. We are convinced that the continuous struggle of the Japanese people, particularly women, together with the peoples of the world, has contributed to the powerful growth of public opinion and the campaign against nuclear tests. We are greatly encouraged and ispired by the recent rapid development of the mass campaign against nuclear tests initiated by women, scientists. religious men and people in the two other countries possessing the bomb. the U.S.A. and Great Britain, since the Soviet announcement. Indeed, we are entering a stage where a new and important movement against A and H bombs is taking shape. What will happen if the U.S.A, and Britain do not follow suit? The Soviet Union will resume its nuclear tests. France, West Germany and the other powers will participate in the nuclear arms race. Thus, the whole human race will inevitably be threatened with a horrible atomic war which will bring about nothing but the annihilation of all mankind. I cite the following three points as reasons why both countries should stop nuclear tests: Japan — students demonstrate in front of the Peace Monument at Nagasaki. oa tA ee ee ee ee === [PDF page 105] === 1) political and military reasons, _ 2) harmful effects of nuclear tests and nuclear warfare on human beings, _ 3) violation of international law. ' First, the American and British political leaders insisted that they could not suspend nuclear testing unilaterally because of the need to defend the ee world against Soviet aggression as long as the Soviet Union continues tests. _ Today, their repeated testing of nuclear weapons is not justified at all, because their rival, the Soviet Union has already made a decision to suspend nuclear tests. Secondly, we Japanese women cannot agree with the assertion of the leaders of the U.S.A. and Britain to the effect that it is impossible to cease nuclear tests in a context separate from general disarmament. Because of he harmful effects on the human body arising from continued tests. further testing become a serious responsibility especially in the light of its ‘fatal effects on future generations. _In your country do you know the realities? Do you know how long and how much radioactive material resulting from test explosions stays in the air, how much falls down to earth gradually, to what extent your food and ‘drink are contaminated by them, and how deep they have penetrated into your own bodies? Do your scientists investigate such. facts as these? And when they do so, do they make public the horrible results to your people? Thirdly, many lawyers confirm that nuclear tests, on the high seas or ‘on ones own territory, constitutes an outrage against international law. _ We should not be fooled by the term “clean bomb’. There is no hydrogen bomb which does not create radioactive dust. 2,000 American scientists have recently announced the impossibility of manufacturing a clean bomb. The clean bomb is nothing but an excuse for the holding of further nuclear tests. At the present time, with the successfull launching of artificial satellites in 1957, mankind has made a great stride toward conquering outer space. We must now firmly define the direction of the advance of the human race to be the building of paradise on earth through the peaceful use of atomic energy, and not the destruction of it in a barbarous nuclear war. On ist March, 1954, a Japanese fishing boat, No.5 Fukurymaru, engaging in fishing, was covered with radioactive dust from the test explosion of a hydrogen bomb conducted by the U.S.A. on the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. The anger of the Japanese people exploded. _ Our organisation, Federation of Japanese Women’s Organisations _ Fudanren, took the initiative in organising the protest campaign. Under the joint sponsorship of our organisation, the women’s section of the General Council of Trade Unions, the Association of the Protection of Children and _ the Christian Women’s Temperance Association, a giant central rally opened a month-long women’s campaign, and unanimously adopted the decision to protest to the American authorities concerned and to launch a signature campaign against A and H bombs on a national scale. The decision was immediately put into practice. It was the first time that the women’s movement against. A and H bombs Was organised on a national level in Japan. The members of our organisation played their role as the driving force in organising a signature campaign 105 === [PDF page 106] === which was first initiated lecally by housewives suffering from the effects of radioactive contaminated food. The signature campaign not only served to unify women of all walks of life in Japan, but also developed into a wide national movement unprecedented in our history. The upsurge of the signature campaign, with more than 34 million signatures by July, 1957, made it possible to force a unanimous. decision on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, including suspension of nuclear tests, by the Japanese Diet. The national organisation, the Japanese Council against A and H bombs, which had its origin in the activities of a number of local organisations, has greatly contributed to the world-wide campaign against A and H bombs by organising three world conferences. In Japan, the movement against A and H bombs has become a unified national movement, irrespective of differences of professions, affiliations, political parties, and beliefs. This development is one of the most promising events of our time. The nation-wide movement, however, which has been developed, was mainly based on humanitarian feelings, and the political implications were « not always understood. We see now, however, the gradual growth of political criticism of the “policy of strength”, which is the basis for the continuance of nuclear test. The gradual retreat of the conservative government, which first announced its co-operation with the U.S.A. regarding nuclear weapons, and later was forced to assume into opposing the nuclear tests under the pressure of public opinion, proves that our successful campaign has resulted in a growth of political consciousness. In the course of the campaign, the women felt the need to strengthen international co-operation and united action in order to realize their objective. The ever increasing growth of international solidarity has had its concrete expression, for instance, the frequent visits of the Japanese women leaders and women victims of atomic-radiation to foreign countries to appeal for international co-operation in this cempaign. In particular. the tour of Mrs. Maruki Toshiki, our member of council, with her husband, covering almost all the countries of Europe with a voluminous series of “Pictures of the Atomic bomb” which vividly depicted the agony. sufferings and hope of our people should be mentioned. How, then, should we Japanese women continue our fight? In the course of our activities, emphasis should be laid on the development of the political consciousness of Japanese women, and particular attention should be paid to the strengthening of the mas movement by closely linking the vital demands ot women, and encompassing the widest possible section of women. We Japanese women attach special importance to the successful organisation of opposition to the introduction of nuclear weapons and rocket sites into our country and into Okinawa and the establishment of missile bases for the U.S. Army and the Japanese Self-Defence Force. Of great importance too is the demand for the setting up of an atom-free zone. including Japan, Formosa and South-Korea. We should realise that the movement against nuclear testing is inseparable from such movements as the abolition of nuclear weapons, general disarmament. national independence and other democratic demands. By 106 === [PDF page 107] === ie women leaders will gain strength’ and energy. We ask all of you delegates who have come here from countries for your. ternational co-operation, without which the success of our movement is possible. In conclusion, I should like to submit the proposal on the suspension of clear tests. 1) To urge the governments concerned and»U.N.O., by all means at our disposal to hold a summit conference of the Big Powers at the earliest opportunity to conclude an international agreement on the immediate and unconditional suspension of nuclear tests. 2) To call on all international conferences to press for the successful conclusion of agreement on immediate and unconditional suspension of nuclear tests. We believe that we shall soon see nuclear tests permanently suspended, clear weapons completely abolished, mutual trust and friendship. among ations strengthened, the life and happiness of women and children * roperly protected, and a lasting peace firmly established. The women of .e world want this and are moving in this direction. Their strength is coming equa! to their tasks. wt pe ht JUGOSLAVIA Mrs. MIMITZA BIANZENKA member of the Executive Committee of the Federation of Women’s Associations in Jugoslavia, observer In her report, Mme. Cotton spoke of the heavy responsibilities and the tasks facing women in the modern world. Allow me to say a few words about the activities of the Jugoslav women’s organizations with regard to some of the problems mentioned. The Federations of Women’s Associations in Jugoslavia, whose representative I am, is one of the organizations in which women work for the realization of socialist relations. We do not have to fight any more for the recognition of legal rights for women, as the victory of the socialist revolution has solved this question. But you know very well that the problem of women’s position in society is not only one of legal equality, for it cannot be realized by a mere declaration of rights: it can only be obtained _ by the development of economic and social life which must enable woman to consolidate her rights in everyday life. This is a very hard and difficult work which requires the joint efforts of all progressive forces. In our country, other organizations representing large numbers of women. especially child protection associations and. the cooperative women’s 107 === [PDF page 108] === organizations, also deal with these and similar problems; these organizations profit greatly by their contacts with corresponding organizations abroad and with various international organizations. The Council of Associations for Child Protection and the Cooperative Organizations are active members of International Union for Child Protection and the International Cooperative Women’s Guild. In our time, doubtlessly one of the fundamental problems confronting mankind is the peace problem which makes it imperative for all countries and all progressive forces to cooperate. The Jugoslav women are of the opinion that their efforts for the socialist construction of their country and the development of socialist relations represent an important contribution to the cause of peace and human progress. They are basing their work on the idea that everyone should fight against the reactionary forces and the enemies of peace in his own country and in this way contribute to their general dissolution. As an integral part of our people, we support the policy of our government whose aim it is te overcome the causes of international tension. We want to contribute our share to the policy of active coexistence of all countries regardless of their internal social system, not merely through our women’s organization but by our entire activity. This policy is based upon the respect of equal rights of all countries, whether big or small, and upon the non-interference with their internal affairs; upon the effort to solve all important international problems by peaceful means and to refuse all use of violence; upon action for disarmament and the desire to outlaw the use of nuclear means of destruction and to put an end to experiments with atomic and hydrogen weapons; it is based tpon the liquidation of colonialism and the right to self-government for all peoples. Such a policy condemns the use of economic aid, to enslave other countries and to exert political pressure on them, and demands the development of underdevelped countries by international cooperation and through the United States. Its aim is thus to knock down all barriers raised today between the countries and to unite all nations in one universal camp of peace and progress of mankind. Every step taken on the road that leads towards the realization of these ends has our entire support. I particularly want to acquaint you with the resolution passed by our women’s organization in July last year, supporting the appeal of the Jugoslav Parliament to outlaw all nuclear tests.and to end them, even if only by unilateral action. All Jugoslavs were greatly pleased to hear about the decision of the Soviet Union unilaterally to stop its nuclear tests. We are perfectly aware of the fact that the policy of active coexistence requires concrete cooperation. Even if it cannot yet be carried through in all fields, it is useful to develop such cooperation for the many problems where points of mutual agreement can be found. This is why we think that the cooperation of women’s organizations, based above all on action to bring about an improvement in the position of woman and the family in general, is able to unite extremely large masses of women. Though these questions might at first sight seem less important. 108 === [PDF page 109] === is cooperation may in a very important measure contribute to the mutual inderstanding of the peoples and to the fulfilment of the peaceful spirations of mankind. If, on the other hand, stress in this collaboration Jaid upon international political questions or even upon demonstrations the policies of one block or the other, these positive possibilities will ye greatly reduced. Because of the fact that the position of woman is closely tied up with he social system in which she lives, and the fact that the relevant problems are of very great importance for the development of democracy and progress in every country and everywhere in the world, the fight for the provement of her position can only be a fight for general progress. erefore, the mobilization of women in the struggle to solve these questions is made them active fighters for the progress of mankind, on a national s well as on an international plane. International cooperation should enable the progressive forces among women of all countries to know the conditions under which the women of the other countries are fighting and the experiences made by them. They ‘can then profit from this common fund of experiences, according to their conditions and specific needs, and thus secure a better life for all workers and for their families in the most effective way. Women’ organizations of the various countries are best equipped to judge the possibilities existing and the methods to be applied to unite all women _to resolve their problems and to encourage their participation in the struggle of the progressive forces of their country as well as in the general fight for peace and progress. The methods and forms of this cooperation should not be an obstacle _to the realization of these aims but should be subordinated to them and ' should contribute to their accomplishment. In our opinion, the international organizations can be useful to the development of international cooperation if the equal rights of all members and the individuality of each of them are respected, and if they serve in the first place the exchange of experiences without centrally directing the various national organizations who are working under very dissimilar _ conditions. This is why our organization is very much interested in bilateral cooperation ‘which, in our experience seems the most efficacious under present conditions. === [PDF page 110] === Mrs. KIM YEN SU Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Union of Democratic Women We cannot but- express our concern in view of the situation consciously created by the manouvres of those who link their future with atomic weapons, a situation which is a threat to the lives of our beloved people and our dear children. We know that the Soviet Union is the only state which unilaterally stopped nuclear weapon tests. But we are worried because the United States and Great Britain did not heed the appeal concerning the cessation of nuclear weapon tests and ure continuing their tests. That is why we Korean women, together with the women of all continents, heartily support the action of the Soviet Union, and demand that the governments of the U.S.A. and Great Britain immediately follow their example. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that in the Southern part of our country crazy warmongers are also playing with fire. Rudely violating the agreement for a cease-fire in Korea, the U.S.A. brought atom weapons to South Korea. The U.S.A. gave those deadly atomic weapons to the Syngman Rhee army. American generals and the Syngman Rhee clique do not conceal the fact that South Korea is being turned into an outpost for an atomic war. The last war in Korea caused untold sorrow and suffering to the Korean women. Nevertheless, together with the rest of the Korean people, they kept their spirits high. They stood to the end for their right to life, for the honour and freedom of their motherland. I would like to express the warm gratitude of Korean women, mothers and children to the W.I.D.F., which sent a mission representing women of all continents to express their solidarity and support to us at a most difficult time for our country, when American imperialists carried on a war against At that difficult time representatives of many millions of women from all continents brought greetings of solidarity and support. During the short post war period, factories, schools, hospitals and apartment houses are springing up out of the ruins and ashes of war. In factories and fields of the northern part of our country, where a happy life for the people is flourishing, thousands of women participate in production as technicians, high officials, directors and engineers, enjoying 110 === [PDF page 111] === quality, real freedom and happiness. Thirteen thousand three hundred yomen, deputies of the People’s Assembly and of the People’s Committees, ke part in running the state. Thousands of women in universities and other diucational establishments give their energy and experience to educate he growing generation. In the Kim Ir Sen University, in institutes, in primary and secondary chools, in schools for adults, there are 2,080,000 pupils and students who gre taught in the spirit of friendship and solidarity between nations. Women in the northern part of our country lead a happy life, enjoy appiness and bright prospects. But according to a South Korean magazine ‘Yesoson B’, and newspapers ‘Seoulsilmun’ and ‘Bn Khan’, there are 3,800,000 unemployed and part-unemployed in South Korea. 3,000,000 peasants ave no food, 500,000 are widows and 200,000 orphans wander the streets ying to find food or some means of existence. Recently in the town of Bupkhen, American soldiers tortured a young boy, a shoe cleaner. They pulled off his finger nails, pulled out his hair, then threw him into a wooden box and nailed it down. They then took him by helicopter to kill him. Dear friends, how can we feel easy when our country is divided into two parts? There in the south our Korean sisters live. Husbands and wives are seperated and parents and children cannot even xchange letters. I am certain that women cannot but understand our eelings, they will surely understand us. Why and by what right can anyone ontinue keeping the people in both Korea’s from living together. We demand that all foreign troops be withdrawn from Korea to put an end to misery and unhappiness, thus removing a war centre in Korea and the Far East. This was and is a strong demand of the Korean people. The Government of the Korean People’s Democratic Republic in its statement of February 5th, proposed for discussion a number of measures to achieve the common desire of the Korean people — peaceful unification and the withdrawal of all troops. _ By the end of April the Chinese Volunteer Army had completed the first stage of the evacuation, after having received the warm thanks and ' gratitude of the Korean people. Despite this the aggressive circles in the U.S.A. have not yet undertaken any steps to withdrawn their troops from South Korea and continue their occupation of South Korea, thus preventing a peaceful settlement of the Korean question. The American occupation troops are not located in South Korea for a holiday, but are well-equipped and are being supplied with new atomic weapons, theatening peace. That is why we feel it is our duty to raise this question at the Congress and beg you to understand that this is a question of peace or war.: I am taking this opportunity to appeal to the women of those countries who sent their armies to South Korea and particularly to American mothers, sisters and friends, and I wish they could hear me. We women and mothers of Korea appeal to you American women and ask you to raise your voices and demand that your sons and husbands be called back from Korea. Let them return to their families, to the beloved iit === [PDF page 112] === children and wives, to make their lives happy. By doing this they would bring happiness to our Korean families, children and mothers. I hope and believe that women of all countries striving for peace and a peaceful settlement of the Korean question, and you as their representatives, would give their unanimous support to a determined struggle for the withdrawal of the American troops from South Korea ‘ LUXEMBOURG Mrs. CLAIRE URBANY Chairman of the Union of Luxembourg Women. Mrs. Urbany expressed her pleasure in greeting the congress as well as all peace-loving women of the world on behalf of the progressive women and mothers of Luxembourg. Then she continued: The most important task of our organization is to mobilize our women and mothers against the militarization of our country, against the misuse of our young people for military and reactionary aims, against the construction of rocket launching bases, against the stock-piling of atomic weapons and for the safeguarding of peace. Today, our country is not neutral any more and our government opposes any attempt to create neutral zones in Europa, against the Rapacki plan, for example. The anxiety caused by such an active pro-N.A.T.O. policy is growing in our country, especially among mothers and women. Our Foreign Minister. up to recently our Prime Minister, acted as chairman to the N.A.T.O. conferences of Paris and Copenhagen. There, he did not oppose further armament but supported it. He and his followers are trying to console us with the assertion that for the moment, N.A.T.O. does not intend to Mothers want a happy and peaceful future for their children. === [PDF page 113] === truct any bases for the launching of atomic rocket in Luxembourg. ich bases are planed in our neighbourhood, however, in the Eiffel, in the vill submit to all N.A.T.O. instructions. Today already, with its airports and its military depots, our country is an important military base of the N.A.T.O. armies. In the case of war, our country would become a target for bombs. In Luxembourg, 310.000 people inhabit an area hardly 60 kms (37 miles) wide and 110 kms (about 70 miles) Jong. A single atomic bomb dropped onto one of our airports would be fficient to destroy half our population. The Luxembourg Womens’ Union (U.F.L.) has organized numerous very successful public meetings in the course of the last years. We spread infor- ‘mation by means of leaflets and posters. We addressed Parliament and ie government with motions passed at meetings, and approached the other women’s organizations of the country. _ We are working together with other organizations of our country, with the patriotic associations and trade unions wherever this is possible, in the people’s movement against atomic armament. Two large international meetings were recently held, one at Esch and the other one at Differdingen, to protest against the construction of rocket launching bases in Luxembourg.’We, the members of the Union of Luxembourg Women, actively contributed to their great succes. We warmly appreciate the help given to us in our work in the form of information and advice by the Women’s International Democratic Federation. We are convinced that cooperation with the progressive women’s organizations of our neighbouring countries, if carried through by practical measures such as common meetings and declarations, will be able to contribute much to stimulate our activity still further and to assure still greater success. MALAYA A joint letter from Angkatan Wanita Sedar, Malaya President: SHAMSIAH BINTI-PAKEH (Member of the Council) and Secretary: ZAINAB BINTI MAHMUD (Alternate member of the Council, WIDF) New Democratic Youth League of Malaya For national independence For many years the Women’s International Democratic Federation. together with women all over the world, have voiced strong protests against the brutal crimes perpetrated by the British imperialists and their agents in repressing the people of Malaya, and have given their strong support 113 === [PDF page 114] === to the liberation struggle of the people and women in Malaya. The women of Malaya take this opportunity to express their heartfelt thanks to the W.I.D.F and our sisters from other countries. Joining with other sections of the people in the country the women of Malaya have waged a long and arduous struggle against colonialism. They bravely shed their blood and do not hesitate to sacrifice even their lives for freedom and national liberation and for the happiness of their future generations, and have never once compromised with nor submitted to the imperialists. The independent Federation of Malaya, proclaimed on August 31st, 1957, is the fruit of the blood and toil of the Malayan patriots. Although this independence is far from complete, the people nevertheless hope that the Abdul Rahman Government will give ear to public opinion, pursue an independent foreign policy, and practice democracy internally Unfortunately at present, the Rahman Government ignores all the just aspirations of the people. It has lost all sense of national dignity and has bartered away our national sovereignty by signing the so-called Anglo-Malayan Defence Treaty, which gives the British Government a free hand to station their armed forces and establish military bases in Malaya; instead of abrogating the Emergency Regulation and effecting an early realisation of internal peace, they intensify their attacks on the people, deprive them of all democratic rights and work hand in glove with the British colonialis continuing frantically their military suppression of the people’s guerilla forces. Th our sisters of all nationalities in Malaya are today still suffering the disasters of war. Under the rule of terror, countless women were and are still being butchered, raped or incarcerated. Women are completely deprived of their democratic rights. They are even prohibited from holding mass rallies to celebrate the internationally recognised Women’s Day But the women of Malaya do not yield to the brutal force of the ruling clique. They support the guerilla movement more enthusiastically than ever before. Their courageous struggles have won for them the high esteem of the entire Malayan people. Such respect and love of all the people was eloquently manifested when inhabitants of a village in the Temerloh district, at the risk of being shot or arrested, held a public meeting to pay deep homage to and erect a monument in memory of Maimunah binti Salleh — a woman partisan fighter who had gloriously sacrified her life in this anticolonial war. The urgent task of our people today is to restore peace in our country. However the British colonialists still have great influence over the political and economic life, military affairs, culture and education of our country The continued occupation of our country by British troops has made it impossible to restore peace. We therefore appeal to our sisters in all countries of the world: continue to give your support to our righteous struggle for the complete withdrawal from Malaya of the British, Australian and other foreign troops which are now busily engaged in massacreing our women and children. Back up our just fight for the restoration of international peace. 14 === [PDF page 115] === MEXICO Mrs. ELVIRA TRUEBA CORONEL Secretary of the Women’s Co-ordination Committee for Patriotic Defence . The Mexican Government is developing the public welfare services in towns and countryside, in close co-operation with the education and social security authorities; their efforts are concentrated on child welfare. (The Cabinet is at present studying the draft of a Child Welfare Law.) In the course of the past six years more than 4,000 primary schools and “Womens’ Development Centres” have been opened throughout the country. These centres are independent of the “Insurance Centres” run by the Mexican Social Insurance Institute. Housewives and working women can attend courses to raise their standard of culture and to help them in running their households. ... In Mexico City there are 15,000 teachers and an adequate number of schools; but a large number of children of school age do not attend them. Womens’ organisations run their own social service institutions independently of those run by the state, in an effort to help solve the problems of women, children and old people. The next government, elected for a period of six years, will base its activities upon the reports and suggestion put forward by the various sections of the population. They must take into account the principles laid down in the constitution and the agreement of the Chapultopec Conference signed by the government during the Six Year Plan of 1940—46. We hope to be able to continue our work, so that our laws on equal rights will be fully effective. These laws clearly define women’s rights in every sphere of life. The present situation shows a different picture: flagrant discrimination against women, in particular with regard to “Equal pay for equal work”. ... Our Committee and its branches are working for the well-being of children and support the demands submitted to the state on the subject of child welfare. We supported two claims for higher salaries put forward by the teachers, strike action for wage increases, and the strike of the Polytechnic Institute for improvements in social assistance benefits. === [PDF page 116] === MONGOLIA Mrs. YANSHMA Chairman Council of Mongolian Women In her comprehensive report Madame Cotton especially underlines the necessity of strengthening the unity of action among women, and the creation and development of wide contacts between the women’s organisations of all lands, as a basic condition for the success of our struggle in defence of peace, the rights of women and a happy future for our children. Peace is the guarantee of life and social progress. Only under peaceful conditions can the peoples exploit their national riches, develop their culture, bring up and educate the younger generation. However, peace is threatened by the preparations for a terrible war. Every mother, every women, wherever she may be, must raise her voice and make every effort to have the terrible weapons of mass destruction outlawed, to avoid blood and tears from darkening our lives again. Realising that atomic weapons threaten the family life of each one of us to the same degree, threaten our children, our fathers and mothers and all those close to us, we once more welcome from this platform the splendid initiative of the Soviet Government in unilaterally stopping tests with atom and hydrogen weapons, an initiative which was met with tremendous enthusiasm by the Mongolian women and the whole Mongolian people. At the same time we express our well-founded alarm aroused by the continuation of atomic tests by the governments of the U.S.A. and Great Britain, in defiance of the clearly expressed opinion of the great majority of the human race. The whole Mongolian people, together with all peaceloving forces in all countries, protest with deep anxiety against the decision of the West German militarists and revenge-seekers, who -have twice subjected the peoples of the world to terrible catastrophies. to arm the Bundeswehr with atomic and rocket weapons. I would like to have your attention for a few minutes to acquaint you with the position of women in our country. As far back as 1921, after power had been transferred into the hands of the people, the principle of complete equality for women in political, economic and cultural life was secured. Since that time, freed from oppression, Mongolian women have been taking an active part in the construction of the new society. At the present time in our National Parliament — the highest state organ in our country — there are fifty women M.P’s. There are 898 women judges and People’s Assessors. 116 === [PDF page 117] === The national economy of the Mongolian People’s Republic has created suitable conditions for every women capable and desirous of applying her efforts~ and knowledge to honourable and conscientious labour for the benefit of her homeland. In our country such social catastrophies as unemployment, poverty and hunger are unknown. The laws adopted by our government, the Labour Law, the Social Security Law, the Marriage and Family Law contain special clauses concerning the protection of women’s rights and the interests of mother and child. The principle of equal pay for equal work has become an unwritten law in our country. The children of working mothers are looked after in creches and kindergartens. The mothers can work and study in peace. The doors of our higher educational establishments and training schools are open to women. At the present time approximately 30 per cent of all students are girls; women make up 24.4 per cent of all teachers in primary, secondary and vocational-training schools. In the country, where only 37 years ago the population was almost completely illiterate, a real cultural revolution has been accomplished. Now in the Mongolian People’s Republic, seven years schooling is compulsory in the country and ten years in the towns for all children. The state pays all expenses connected with national enlightenment and higher education, One person in six is studying in some kind of educational establishment. This shows the quick tempo of the cultural advance of our people. Our Peoples Government, in its measures for the defence of mother and child, gives all possible help to women and in particular to mothers, The women of Mongolia express their solidarity with the women of all countries in the struggle to preserve and strengthen peace. Our Government, expressing the will and hopes of our people, continues to follow a policy of peace and friendship. Our state budget is a peace budget. 78,6 per cent of the budget for the current year is being allocated to the development of our national economy, to the carrying out of our social and cultural measures and for the raising of the material well-being and cultural standard of the working people. It is well known that the M.P.R. has, since the creation of the U.N., unceasingly expressed its desire to become a member, and work together with other peace-loving countries to contribute its share to the common struggle for peace and against the threats of a new war. However, ruling circles in certain Western countries, and the Chiang Kai Shek clique, in violation of the United Nations Charter, are still hindering the realisation of the lawful rights of our people. But we are sure that the time will come when our peace-loving country will occupy its just position in the United Nations. === [PDF page 118] === NETHERLAND Mrs. HANNA MOLIN Dutch Women’s Movement The barriers raised between the peoples, also existed between varicus sections of the population in our country, making the work harder. But in spite of this, half a million signatures were collected in our country during the big signature campaign for the abolition of atomic bombs, and opposing the construction of NATO rocket sites in our country. Dutch scientists now also speak of the big dangers menacing our people and the world. Seven Dutch physicists addressed a memorandum to the Minister of War. They gave a scientific survey of the dangers brought about by the continuation of tests with atomic bombs and at the same time they pronounced themselves against the establishment of rocket bases on our territory. They proposed to inform all members of parliament about the grave danger menacing our people. The government tried to prevent this but through the efforts of our secretary, A. Averink, M. P., all members of parliament have now been acquainted with the full text of the memorandum. Albert Schweitzer Committees have been set up everywhere to help in collecting signatures. In Amsterdam, 2,300 signatures against atomic bases were collected in six hours. Of great importance was a Dutch doctors’ attendance at the World Congress against A & H Bombs in Japan. Dr. May has delivered many lectures and has held press-conferences. Together with 600 other Dutch doctors he addressed himself to the Dutch government concerning the danger of radio-active radiation. Against armament race An armament programme, causing high prices, wage freezes, high rents, lack of schools and houses and a decline in the health of the people is a heavy burden on our working people. There are over 100,000 unemployed, among whom 30,000 are building workers, 240,000 families are still without a flat, living with parents or parents-in-law or in the attics. But Parliament decided to increase the wages of M.P.’s by 3000 guilders a year, an amount equal to the annual wage of many workers. Our women collected about 1000 guilders for the women of Indonesia, thus expressing their solidarity with the struggle of the Indonesian people. Our women feel closely linked with the women of Indonesia. We heartily welcome the great national movement for the liberation of West Irian to 118 === [PDF page 119] === which the Indonesian women have made a large contribution. When Dutch war-ships sailed to West Irian, the Dutch Women’s Movement addressed a manifesto to all Dutch women to point out the danger for both peoples arising from these new war adventures. We are fully aware of our responsibility and will continue to strive for a free and independent Indonesia including West Irian, as this is for our two peoples the key to co-operation on a basis of equali Since the Copenhagen Congress small improvements in the legal status of women have been obtained, but women are still grossly underpaid. In various professions women receive 65% of men’s wages. Married women are not considerated as receiving an independent income, their wages being counted as the income of the husband from a second source, which brings the family into a much higher tax group. The difference between the wage-tax they pay individually and the tax one person has to pay for the two wages counted together is extremely high and has to be paid at the end of each year. Women now can dispose of their own property but women workers have not the right to dispose of their own wages. Holland. A reception in honour of the tenth anniversary of the Netherlands’ Women’s Movement. 119 === [PDF page 120] === NORWAY Mrs. BIRGIT SCHIOTZ Chairman of the Union of Norwegian Women Norwegian women have made some steps towards real progress. Our most outstanding progress in 1954 was the fusion of the two women’s organisations — the (working class) Housewives’ Union and the Norwegian Democratic Women’s Federation. This fusion is a long stride ahead in our Unity work and has given us a broader basis and better economic possibilities. The intimidation campaign against progressive organisations has been strong in all NATO countries, and in Norway the Union of Norwegian Women has been a favoured object of the cold war. The consistent campaign in the press has in many ways impeded the activities of our organisation and has frightened many well-wishing and positive women from joining us. The academic women especially have been hesitant, not wishing to take any risk of discrimination or of jeopardizing their career. Therefore the leadership of the Union of Norwegian Women has had difficulties in recruiting for the staff — our members being chiefly women workers or the wives of workers usually with elementary school training and no knowledge of foreign languages. I can tell you that no work in the world is more interesting and satisfying than peace work within the framework of the W.I.D.F.’S principles and alms. Things have happened in Norway during the last two years which have pierced the frontiers of the cold war. In the month of March 1937 an appeal to stop the H-bomb tests was sent to the U.N. Disarmament Committee in London, signed by the National Council of Norwegian Women and the big health organisations. A little later, sixty-five promiment Norwegian scientist also sent a appeal to London, asking for the tests to be stopped. These two actions prepared the ground for the Schweitzer appeal, and when this was sent over the Norwegian radio to most countries of the world, it was enthusiastically received by the Norwegian people. Dr. Albert Schweitzer is well-known in Norway, where young people honoured him in a torchlight procession on his visit to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The Schweitzer appeal against H-bomb tests and nuclear rearmament has given the Norwegian opposition against the N.A.T.O. policy a sort of legality, and even the most timid person hurried to sign the appeal. In a few weeks it was signed by about quarter of a million people. 120 mn Ss === [PDF page 121] === The incorporation of the German Federal Republic in N.A.T.O., and the mew German militarism, have aroused fear and indignation in Norway, and when Joseph Speidel, the former nazi general, came to Oslo on an ‘inspection visit to Kolsas, the Headquarters of the northern section of 'N.A.T.O., he was met with hostile demonstrations. We are glad to inform you that the Union of Norwegian Women was largely responsible for these demonstrations. As soon as we heard about his scheduled visit our Executive Committee immediately met, and in the late hours an appeal was composed and sent _to the boards of twelve workers unions, asking them to find some way to demonstrate against the German general. An article was also written during the night, encouraging the workers unions and other organisations to _demonstrate. The next day the article was in “Dagbladet”, our left wing paper, just in time for the workers to take a decision. The demonstration was a success, each of the workers unions we had asked to demonstrate laid down work for some hours. Even the tramways of Oslo, which never fail their passengers, stopped for two minutes as a symbolic demonstration. When the plane with General Speidel reached the Fornebo aerodrome and he saw people crowding inside the barrier he didn’t dare to land, he had to go on to another place where nobody was waiting for him. The campaign against the H-bomb tests and the nuclear rearmaments going on in Great Britain and in the German Federal Republic is very stimulating for our work in Norway. Most of our papers are silent about these very significant people’s movements, not wanting them to be emulated in Norway. I was lucky to be invited to London to a meeting of the National _ Assembly of Women on International Women’s day this year, and I received a good deal of information about this mighty people’s movement, which. without doubt, marks a historical phase in the life of the British people. In two articles in “Dagbladet” I told the people of Norway how a very broad opposition in Great Britain, guided by an elite of intellectuals, is insisting on a radical change of the foreign policy of the country. In Norway we have a committe collecting and publishing at intervals the results of measurments of radioactivity in the air, water, milk, vegetables and dairy products. In Norway ‘we are now waiting for the result of these measurements from the fall-out during the period March-Apri}] when we had heavy rain. The report has not yet been published, but I spoke with the Health Minister who told me that the report is very alarming. The health authorities are now anxious about the possibility of milk being unsafe in 1960. In our country — and I thing in many other countries the women, scientists, students and workers are now participating in the campaign against the H-bomb tests, but until today the farmers in most countries have made no contribution to this campaign. I would therefore ask the delegates when they get back to their own countries from the Congress to approach the leadership of the farmers’ organisations and inform them of the alarming possibilities of the radioactive fall-out caused by these tests. The farmers and the workers represent the biggest professional group in our society — and together with the women’s organisation, youth === [PDF page 122] === organisations, students and scientists they will form a mighty bloc of public opinion. The formation of a mighty people’s movement in all countries against the bomb tests appears to be the only way to stop them, and if we want safety for our children, we must take that road. It is urgent. POLAND Mrs. MUSIALOWA President of the Polish Women’s League The Women’s League always firmly opposed, as does the Women’s International Democratic Federation, any attempts to turn the clock back and hinder the broad participation of women in the political, economic and cultural life of any country. Mme. E. Cotton, in her report on the role of women, has shown the irrefutable truth, that in the second half of the twentieth century no community can hope to develop in a normal way unless it ensures the participation of women in all spheres of life. I shall briefly present some forms of our activity. More than 100 advisory centres of various types, legal, sanitary, professional, educational and others. are being set up by our organisation and conducted by specialists. Both town and country women have access to them free of charge. Our advisory centres teach how to make best use of legal provisions to help to overcome life’s difficulties. A year ago we created a Committee of Democratic Economy whose task it is to explain the culture of everyday living and to co-operate with the relevant State or even International institutions. Our committee co-operates with F.A.O. in the field of rationa) nutrition. rational and esthetic clothes, furnishing, apartment building, ete. Our committee conducts various practical courses in town and country, broadcasts suitable practical advice and publishes a number of papers. The committee has also achieved the introduction of teaching household management and principles of everyday living in both boys’ and girls’ schools. Last year on our initiative, a Society of Planned Motherhood was created. It has got together many women doctors, teachers and other specialists, The task set before this organisation is to give advice concerning marital life and family planning. Despite the undoubtedly tremendous achievements of our country’s construction in developing industry and agriculture, certain families still encounter temporary difficulties of a financial or moral nature. Our organisation has set up a Committee of Mutual Assistance which helps mothers who are alone, elderly women, and young girls with their problems. Recently we also created an autonomous section of women === [PDF page 123] === In Poland during a course aesthetics. lawyers whose main task is to study the economic and social position of the Polish woman, as well as to prepare suitable draft laws related to women’s life and work. This section of women lawyers closely co-operates with the group of women Members of Parliament at the Central Committee of the Women’s League, which inculdes women members from various political parties. They act jointly in Parliament on behalf of women and children. During this year’s budget session the group of women Members of Parliament carried a number of important motions in all the Parliamentary commissions under the general slogan; how to help the working woman in the organisation of her daily life. Concern for the cultural level of women in town and country is one of the most important principles of our organisation. We believe that the advancement of women embraces not only her professional position and professional qualifications but first of all her cultural level and her full consciousness of the role she is to play in modern society. Such consciousness gives her a sense of responsibility for the future of that society. It is our opinion that the advancement of woman also means her influence on relationships between people and on the creation of new, progressive, and at the same time deeply humanist moral laws. Women’s journals are very effective in this field. Our journals have a joint circulation of more than three million copies. It is sufficient to mention that the “Friend” published by our League for eleven years is, according to approximate calculations, regularly read in almost every home. There are five women’s journals and each of them is destined for a different type of reader. These papers reach all groups of women — peasants, students, women with university degress, housewives, etc. They boldly introduce everday problems, unmask all attempts to turn back progress in relation to women. They strengthen the ties of sisterly solidarity and friendship through the widespread information they give on the life of women in different countries. The number of letters received by the editors of particular journals bears witness to their popularity. The “Friend” for example has about 600 to 700 letters daily. By giving here examples of certain of the problems and forms of our 193 === [PDF page 124] === work, I should like to stress that they all spring from the same objective. namely to create close and strong ties between Polish women and our organisation, to give them the feeling that in our organisation they have a defender of their interests and a spokesman of their desires. It seems to me that only in this way can our organisation be a school for good citizenship, only in this. way can we help to promote such activities as well as release the energy of women of all strata and enable them to occupy suitable positions in the most vital social affairs. Solidarity and Peace It is clear that the same objective guides all the work undertaken by the W.I.D.F. It is expressed in the forms of activity which the future leadership of the Federation will propose for their Bureau and Secretariat! Its objective is to maintain the unshakeable unity between the activities of the W.I.D.F. and the most varied aspirations and desires of women of all races and continents. It seems that it would call for reconsideration of certain methods of our work, and for a further improvement of our magazine. Belonging to the great family of the Federation gives Polish women a sense of great strength. We live in a world where all our thoughts and feelings must be connected with the two alternatives that are now facing mankind; the perspective of lasting peace and co-operation between nations or terrible atomic destruction. All the bitterness of the war experiences of Polish women, the devoted work they have contributed to the reconstruction of their country, impel us to unite with all who serve peace and friendship among nations. In the fullest sense we warmly support our governments’ policy to create an atom-free zone in the heart of Europe. We particularly appreciate the resolution passed by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. on the cessation of nuclear weapon tests. We receive numerous delegations from European and non-European countries. Many eminent personalities have visited our country and numerous Polish delegations have been abroad, bringing back with them valuable experiences and enriching our work. Beside the contacts with fraternal organisations acting within the framework ofthe International Democratic Federation, we enter into direct connection with other international and national organisations, thus implementing the decisions of the Peking Council. We state with joy that the draft constitution of W.1.D.F. creates the organisational farmework necessary for the broadening of cooperation between our Federation and other international organisations. ~S es Ce === [PDF page 125] === OHIO UNIVERSITY LIERARIES [Unreadable] PORTUGAL Mrs. ISABEL SOARES delegate of the Democratic Women of Portugal . Like all of you, we, the women of Portugal, desire an improvement + in living conditions, the recognition of our social and legal rights and the protection of mother and child. But, like all of you, we desire peace above all things and we wish this Congress to reaffirm its conviction that we shall defend the peace of our homes, the life and future of our children. Like all of you, we want to be certain that we can offer our children a harmonious world and to tell them: “Life is worth being lived.” These last years have been very difficult for Portuguese women, The difficulties we had to struggle with to be able to meet at all isolated us from all the women of Europe, a position that is becoming more serious every day. It is becoming more and more difficult for us to meet in Portugal. Furthermore, the way of life of the Portuguese woman does not allow her to develop her desire to unite and cooperate with other women. In consequence, woman, even if she works, limits her attention to her home, which isolates her from her sisters and from her own problems as well as from those of her country. The only two associations, the Association of Portuguese Women for Peace and the National Council of Portuguese Women, were dissolved, and associations like Mothers’ Work and Catholic Action limit themselves exclusively to political aims covering government or religious propaganda. Thus, the women at the head of a movement to liberate woman from a century-old position of inferiority saw themselves isolated from the great masses of working women and without any possibility of taking up contact with them. The difficulty of creating associations and of carrying through any actions of solidarity is the biggest obstacle existing in our country; it isolates us and makes it impossible for us to explain to the women how much it is in their interest to solve the moral and economic problems which are constantly increasing in gravity. A tendency exists in Portugal to induce women by all means to return to their homes. The laws make it difficult for women to gain access to many professions and trades. There are cases where nurses of certain hospitals are not allowed to marry. But how can this “Return of Woman to her Home” be accepted in a country where almost 700,000 women work in the field? And this without counting the women workers, state employees, teachers, public transportation employees etc.. === [PDF page 126] === It is impossible for a country not to count on the work of women. But above all, let us have a look at the conditions under which these 700,000 peasant women are working. They toil from sunrise till sunset. In some districts, the women earn 12 escudos, while the men get 20 for the same work. Social security does not exist for agricultural women workers and neither are they entitled to a nursing allocation. No maternity allow ance exists either, and the women work until a few days before their confinement and take up work again some days afterwards . Liefe of the industrial women workers is not any better either. Women’s wages are very low and systematically below those of men, regardless of productivity and of the effort envolved in the work. Women’s wages are 57.3% of those of men in the textile industry; 57.8% in the canning indust: 37.5% in bakeries; 50.9% in the tobacco industry 56.3% in the cotton industry. Let us add the lack of any assistance to the pregnat woman and her child, as there are no medical examinations in the factories and only very few creches. This is a most serious problem. According to the law, mothers are entitled to thirty days of rest for their confinement, but in reality, as no control exists and the women workers are not akle to protest, most factories discharge them during the seventh month of pregnancy and replace them by unmarried women workers. As there are but few maternity hospitals in towns and villages, assistance to the women workers is quite insufficient. There are many other problems which would take too long to enumerate. One of the questions worrying us is the fact that prostitution is regulated in our country. This is an unworthy and unbelievable thing in our times. The existence of prostitution organized as a trade with regulations and tax gave rise to several. campaigns. In spite of our difficulties to assemble, we tried to call the women’s attention to this problem. But we only posses little means; few women have the right to vote, and we cannot elect a representative to the National Assembly. We must achieve legal recognition of equal rights, of our right to organize meetings and to instruct thousands of working women who live in ignorance and bound by routine. We must also win recognition of our right to fight for Peace. The Portuguese women arduously want nuclear tests to stop. We sent thousands of signatures to the U.N.O. and we addressed the Portugese mothers lack most elementary rights. === [PDF page 127] === RUA SS SARS te ed governments confirming our wish to protect peace. All this is very difficult work which sometimes robs us of our peace of mind. We know that great sacrifices are ahead of us, but today more than ever we are ready to make them. RUMANIA Mrs. MARIA ROSETTI Committee of Democratic Women of the People’s Republic of Rumania The Declaration of the Great National Assembly of the People’s Republic of Rumania, which welcomes the decision of the Soviet Union to cease unilaterally all nuclear experiments and to call on the other powers to do likewise, expresses the firm determination of our people to unite all its efforts with those of the peoples of the world in order to prevent atomic war. The Declaration of the Committee of Democratic Women of the P.R.R. on the same issue expressed equally firmly the will of the women of our country to see nuclear tests stopped everywhere and forever. ... The desire for peace is the very basis of the international relations of our women’s movement. With the permanent support of our Federation we have established relations with women and their organizations in 55 countries. Among the international organizations with which we maintain friendly relations is the International Cooperative Women’s Guild. the International League of Women for Peace and Freedom, the International Federation of Women Abolitionists, the International Movement of the Open Door and many others. We declare our profound solidarity with the struggle of millions of women throughout the world, with the struggle of British, French and West German women, as well as with women from other countries who are energetically demanding that their governments put an end to war preparations. By means of meetings, declarations, appeals and letters sent to the United Nations and to the Subcommittee on Disarmament of the U.N., the women of Rumania have repeatedly expressed their solidarity with the women of the entire world in the fight for peace. ... Our State places great importance on the part women must play in modern society. in the economic, scientific, social and cultural progress of the country. The full equality of women on the political, economic and civil level — an equality laid down in the Constitution and assured by material means created by the State — is plainly reflected in the life or our society. Called upon to prove their abilities and their creative initiative, our women make — 127 === [PDF page 128] === their contribution in the administration of public affairs, in the development of industry and agriculture, in the artistic and cultural life of our social institutions, in the organization of civic affairs, in short, wherever the policy of our State is put into practice to bring about a steady increase in the living standard of our people. Within the family, where the woman has the same rights and obligations as the man, she fulfils her mission as wife, mother and educator with ever growing assurance. There is no field of activity where the fruitful contribution of women is not being felt. In order to lighten women’s work in industry and at home, a whole network of nurseries and kindergartens has been created near the factories and offices, as well as quite a number of seasonal kindergartens in the countryside. The facilities are continuously increasing in number. Each year, the number of social institutions for the protection of mother and child is being increased, which in turn permits the woman to qualify herself more and more in her own field without neglecting her duties to her family. Our State is continuously concerned to increase housing, to introduce modern comforts and central heating in all cities and to increase the production of consumer goods, especially for the home, in order to make life easier for the women. Tens of thousands of workers’ families have moved into new spacious and healthy homes. Twenty-five percent of the State budget is being used for the social and cultural needs of the population. The economic development of our country is instrumental in bringing about a constant rise of the living standard of the family and the women are the first ones to realize this fact in their own households. Our achievements have not been won without effort. We had to overcome a burdensome heritage from the past. There are still many problems to be solved. For instance, the technical progress now under v in industry and agriculture demands higher professional qualifications for our women; this problem is being solved with special courses and schools open to women. The women’s movement of our country has an important part to play in this respect. It is also called upon to help mothers still more than hitherto in the task of educating their children, and to show a greater interest in the creation of proper conditions which will make it easier for the woman to exercise her rights in the home. On March 8th—10th of this year, a National Conference of Women took place in our country. It illustrated in a particularly striking manner not only the position of women in our People’s Democracy, but also the ever growing importance of their activity and their contribution in the building of our new, socialist life. The National Conference set up a new form of organization of the women’s movement, whereby the mass character of this movement has become considerably broadened’ This movement embraces all the women of our country, whatever their occupations, their nationality or their religious beliefs. The sessions of the National Conference dealt mainly with the most 128 === [PDF page 129] === OHIO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES urgent, key issue of our time — peace. In an appeal to all women of our eo country, the conference mentioned as its main objective the intensification 4 of the struggle for peace, and the strengthening of international bonds of friendship and cooperation with the women of the entire world, which is Wiad a direct result of the activities of the W.1.D.F. i) . The women of the People’s Republic of Rumania have profound x confidence and deep affection for the work of our great Federation. Its documents and resolutions are well-known by large masses of women in our country. t Our Congress must mark a new stage in the development of the world women’s movement and in the activities of our Federation. In the grandiose struggle for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, the W.IL.D.F. must mobilize on a still broader scale the hundreds of millions of women in all countries. It must draw women of science, working class women, peasant women, writers, physicians and others into its activities in order to swell the current of public opinion which is opposed to atomic war. SAN SALVADOR Mrs. LILIAN GIMENEZ Writer and poet ... The Republic of Salvador has had a troubled history with periods of freedom alternating with coups d’Etat and terrible oppression. In 1932 the country experienced the most dreadful period of subjugation in its history under the dictatorship of Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez; at that time 30,000 peasants were massacred for claiming land and the right to live. ... Most of our peasants live in dwellings known.as “ranchos” built from stolen straw and mud, devoid of any comfort or convenience and some times even without drinking water. The whole family, the poultry and pigs all crowd together in a single room. Social assistance is as good as non-existent. Peasant families have to go to the district centre if they need to see the doctor or go to hospital. Many women and children die from lack of medical attendance. There is an acute shortage of schools in the towns and the situation is even worse in the villages. Illiteracy is widespread in the rural districts. (67% of the whole population). Some landowners have had schools and brick houses built for their workers. Women in industry represent 32.2% of the total labour. The garment industry for example employs, 8,169 women, which is 67.5% of all labour 129 === [PDF page 130] === employed in this branch of industry in six out of the fourteen provinces of Salvador. Working women receive lower pay because they are women. Factory owners prefer to employ young and single women because they do not wish to recognise the rights of pregnant women. Womens’ wages vary according to the type of work and the place of employment. Many women have to work more than eight hours a day in order to support their families, some of them as long as 14 hours a day. Women working in factories are subject to bad treatment by bosses and foremen; pregnant women are liable to be dismissed. The employer will use any pretext to dismiss them. Although these women are protected by the Labour Code, 70% of the complaints made are not even answered by the Ministery of Labour. Generally children are left to themselves while their mothers are at work, because there is no money to pay anyone to look after them and no nurseries to take them to. . 65.2% of all street vendors are women. These figures are confirmed by the situation in the capital. The streets are full of women carrying baskets and trays, constantly on the watsch for customers. These women have no other means of subsistence due to the shortage of work and the lack of economic development in the country. There is not a single market in the capital (one is being built at present), and. women selling fruit and vegetables in the streets are constantly harassed by the police. Every day the streets of San Salvador offer the same sad spectacle of women running away with their children with their baskets on their arms pursued by the police in their honest. and harmless occupation. Thousands of these women are driven to prostitution. Students ridiculed the municipal authorities on this point at their annual rally, and in “Student Opinion”, the students’ journal in Salvador, protests were made against persecuting the women in this disgraceful way. It should be mentioned that the women of Salvador have taken an active part in the political and social struggles of our people In 1952, during the most recent period of oppression under the regime of Colonel Osorio, the police arrested and tortured a number of women, while others were forced to go into exile in order to save their lives. The women of Salvador will never forget these events. They know that united we constitute a powerful force of action and of hope. 130 pro] day pre’ Sen 30 nea nou peo bef for cou equ enc === [PDF page 131] === South African women de monstrate against the discriminatory laws compelling Negro women to carry passes. SENEGAL Mrs. JEANNE TOURE President Union of Senegalese Women . For the people from the colonies, it is impossible to separate the problem of peace from that of the protection of life and the education of women. The three questions are intimately linked. How can we speak of the protection of life, of education when every day our black brothers are dying under the bullets of the colonialists who pretend to defend the interests of France. In reality they only defend their own pockets, and it is these same fascists that keep us in a state of misery. Some figures will give you a picture of the wretched conditions of the Senegalese people. At the end of the dry period, when work is very scarce, 30 to 100 per cent of the peasants do not have enough to eat; in Medina, near Dakar, the capital of Senegal, 58 per cent of the population is undernourished. Statistics show that only nine out of every 100 deaths are of people over 60 years of age. 45 of people between 21 and 60, and 46 die before they reach adulthood. The average annual income of the Senegalese is below 17,500 Francs. We must emphasise that the standard of living is very low, Why is the work of a man paid so poorly? Why do his efforts bring him so little in return? Why does he have to live from hand to mouth? There are many reasons for this. Some are connected with the physical conditions of the country. The greater part of the country has insufficient water. The money which could have been utilized to build wells is senselessly wasted on war equipment and for the maintenance of an ever growing army. As. to the people themselves, how can men and women who never eat enough and who are consequently the victims of all sorts of illnesses. work 131 === [PDF page 132] === normally? (I want to remind you that Dakar has only two hospitals, six dispensaries and only one maternity and child welfare centre.) The people do not have the aid of animals or mechanical equipment. Where are the tractors, the mills, the factories? The peasants bend their backs to gather the oil seed, bringing dividends only to the shareholders of the big trusts, The profits flowing from the work of paid workers are always exported, preventing any accumulation of wealth, while the few laws that exist. to protect the workers are rarely applied. Most of the time the worker is ignorant of his rights and does not known how to make use of the labour court on his own behalf. On the other hand, racial discrimination continues all over the country and the principle of “equal pay for equal work” is far from being put into practice. This dirty war in Algeria, where billions go down the drain every day, has got to be stopped in order to make the defence of life possible, to relieve the misery of the people and to create some semblance of economic progress. Repression in the Cameroons has to stop. We must be given our independence peacefully. If not, we shall know how to win this independence, even if we have to pay for it with our lives. SPAIN Mrs. SILVIA MARTINEZ As Mme. Cotton has said, important international events have taken place since the last Congress of the W.I.D.F., which constitute great victories for the peoples fighting for their national independence, for democracy and for peace. All these events have found an echo in Spain. They have helped the development of a national movement against Franco’s fascist dictatorship. they have stimulated to action important sectors of opinion which formerly had been passive, they have filled our people with hope and have opened new prospects for liberty for us. Franco has attemped to maintain the division of our country. He has cultivated the spirit of the crusade and of civil war; he wants to deepen the hate between brothers, in order to prolong his dictatorship. But Franco and his regime have not solved any of the great economic. social or political problems which arise in our country. The people live under very difficult conditions. The workers and numerous categories of employees are forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, in order to support their families. The countryside, weighed down by heavy taxes, is becoming depleted in population. Franco’s dictatorship has developed monopolies at the expense 132 ani the reg === [PDF page 133] === sonra commas mace iaieee tana snaee Guia Gaeh Oanee Da of the entire economy of the country, thus ruining the small industrialists and merchants. The policy of armament and economic intervention, practised by the United States, have made this situation still worse. Until a few years ago, the great mass of the Spanish people, cowed by the reigning terror, bore these sufferings more or less passively. But since 1956, demonstrations and manifestations of great importance have followed one upon the other, showing the discontent and hostility felt towards the regime, and the people’s will to bring democratic freedom. progress and peace back to Spain. In the struggle for these changes, the Spanish women play an active part. ~They have never failed in the struggle and during the actions taken by our people in the course of the past four years. We would also like to emphasise that a new generation has grown up in our country, a generation which did not experience the civil war, and ‘ which consequently does not understand or tolerate the spirit of fratricidal | hate between Spaniards, daily fostered by fascist propaganda. Our youth demands a free, democratic Spain. It is fighting for a life in peace and justice. The universities and educational institutions in Spain are today places of protest, where students and professors rise against the suppression of ideas, where they speak up for political freedom, for freedom of conscience and against fascist obscurantism. In the midst of this young generation of intellectuals, who are fighting so resolutely for democratic changes, there is a group of women and girls who wish to put all their strength in the service of a progressive and cultivated motherland. Last year was a year rich in popular movements. The transport boycott in Madrid and Barcelona was of particular importance. Hundreds of thousands of people, and particularly working class women — textile workers and others — took part in this boycott. In the course of the big mass demonstrations and strikes, an ever more united spirit has made itself felt — a feeling of the obsolute necessity of reaching an understanding among all oppositional forces, in order to change the regime in Spain in a peaceful manner. This feeling showed itself in all levels of the population, including those levels which had formerly supported the Franco regime. Basing itself on this aspiration, oppositional groups launched an appeal, calling for the organisation in the whole of Spain of a day called National Reconciliation Day, to express the desire of the great majority of the Spanish people to put an end to the spirit of civil war. which the regime is trying to keep up. This day, which took place on May 5th, quite clearly took on the character of a national plebiscite. Franco and his protectors, the American imperialists, had to resort to extreme measures in order to prevent its realisation, and to reduce its importance. The whole suppression apparatus was set in motion. The army and the armed police patrolled the streets in jeeps and tanks. American jet planes flew over our cities, diffusing fascist propaganda. The 6th U.S. fleet occupied our ports. We are going to outline a few details of this scandalous intervention on 133 === [PDF page 134] === the part of the Americans against the Spanish people, for we believe it should be denounced before the whole world. From May 2nd to 16th, 36 American warships with 25,000 men dropped anchor in the principal ports of Spain: Barcelona, Castilia, Valencia. Alicante, Carthaginia and Malaga. On May 4th, the eve of Reconciliation Day, a military parade took place in Madrid, with a great display of war material, including atomic cannons supplied by thé U.S. army. Franco Spain does not belong to the N.A.T.O. However, our territory has been converted into a gigantic American military base. American military bases exist in Moron de la Frontere (Seville), Torrejon de Ardoz (Madrid). Sanjurjo y Velenzuela (Saragosse), Reus (Tarragone), Rota (Cadix), Majon (Baleares), Carthaginia (Murcie), El terrol and San Fernando. According to reports of the British paper “Manchester Guardian’, the Command of the 16th Strategic Air Force, which comprises approximately a quarter of the effective strength of the air force of the United States and which is charged with the strategic use of atom and hydrogen bombs, is situated in Torrejon, which exceeds by far the average military bases of the N.A.T.O. From this tribunal, we Spanish women appeal to the American women and mothers to-denounce these facts in their country, and to protest against the help given by the American government to the bloodthirsty dictator Franco, who is detested by the whole of the people. We Spanish women are resolved to carry on our fight side by side with the entire people, until the days of freedom, of independence and of peace which we are striving for, have been attained. On May 5th the participation of women was considerable both as regards working women and housewives. On that day, markets and shops were deserted because the women and mothers had done their shopping on previous days in order to manifest their solidarity. The part played by the women landworkers and farmers on that occassion, through their distribution of propaganda material, should also be stressed here. Many of them are now serving prison sentences for this work. SWITZERLAND Mrs. MARGUERIT GREUB President of the Federation of Swiss Women for Peace . I don’t want to burden you with a long report on activities which would be without interest, but I should like to remind you that, among all the countries represented here, only the women of Switzerland don’t have the right to vote. This is a result of the structure of our democracy 134 oR ST LE === [PDF page 135] === OHIO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES soil VNC 0 In our country, it is not the parliament that can give us the right to vote, but only a plebescite of all the men in our country, and the majority of these men believe that we do not deserve to enjoy the same rights as they do. Nevertheless, we are fighting an active campaign and hope to obtain our civil rights in the course of this year.” One of our chief aims, apart from th are vehemently opposed to the milita much too high. We also hope to obtain equal pay for equal work for the women of Switzerland, because at present our women receive approximately 20 per cent less than the men. To relieve the working women we are seeking to have the greatest number of nurseries and kindergartens opened, and we are trying also to set up communal laundries in the most densely populated communities. where all women can wash their laundry in automatic machines. All these issues might appear to you of very small importance, but life is made up of many insignificant problems when a country is at peace. It is clear that one of our principals tasks is to lend support to the women of oppressed countries and those at war with all the means at our disposal. is the defence of peace, and we y budget of our country which is Textile workers in Switzerland are’ claiming equal pay. 135 === [PDF page 136] === TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Mrs. CHRISTINA LEWIS Secretary The Caribbean Women’s National Assembly As a delegate of the Caribbean Women’s National Assembly, I bring you greetings on the occasson of the Fourth World Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation from the women of the colony of Trinidad and Tobago. recently inaugurated unit of the Federated British West Indies. Hard life In Trinidad the absence of social security legislation, lack of cultural activities and mass unemployment, create problems which every woman faces throughout her life. There is neither unemployment relief nor family allowances, yet our women are expected to rear families under the most frugal conditions. The State provides neither pre- nor post-natal homes, no maternity homes nor maternity benefits, no creches nor kindergartens; schools are overcrowded and only the good fortune of a tropical climate permite people to sleep on the side-walks and open spaces. Due to the economic conditions, a pregnant women is expected to work to the last minute before delivery, and if there is physical disability — which there must be in the absence of free pre-natal clinics — she is admitted a day or two before delivery and is expected to leave within the same period after. Social facilities lacking In my home town, with a population of over 44,000, there is one creche where about fitty children can be dumped in a bare bleak hall, till their mothers can call for them in the evenings. This, however, has been made possible only through the efforts of a few social organisations which use their influence to collect funds to maintain the project. The same can be said of a Breakfast Shed which caters for about 400 children daily with a small subsidy from the government. There is no Free Secondary Education. The Free Elementary School age is from 5—15, but because of large-scale unemployment attendances are irregular and many are forced to leave school at the tender ages of 9—12 and so flood the agriculture labour market, thus competing with their parents and maintaining a system of feudalism. Thousands of school places remain to be filled. Children under the age 136 atnon~snarcavden === [PDF page 137] === ot five toddle around the homes and communal yards absorbing the sordidness of their surroundings. Nursery schools are luxuries enjoyed by a privilaged few. The influence of sensational American films on morals may be estimated when one considers that the cinema is the only regular form of entertainment, not counting wide spread alcoholism. The radio and the press give a false conception of the proper ways of living and so undermine the morals and economy of the people. While the two world wars have created social changes and caused hardships to many families, particularly poor ones, the horrors of war have not been actually brought home to the women of Trinidad and the British Caribbean as a whole. We have never experienced bombings and shellings. Immigrants from nearby islands who are working on the United States Bases have aggravated the housing problem. Rents were increased from 200 to 300%. Many families were forced to live together as a result of which many homes were broken. Women, especially mothers, spend evenings and nights hunting and queueing up for the bare daily necessities for their families. This was a life of ceaseless toil to protect our homes. Pregnant women fainted and sometimes died under this ordeal, Young women broke all restraints and prostitution was sought as the line of least resistance in solving both the social and economic problems. The young West Indian nation has been chosen as the capital site for the United States base which has been leased for 99 years without our knowledge or consent. This subject is now under serious discussion and we of the Caribbean Women’s National Assembly stand firm behind the government on this issue. Ban nuclear weapons President, officers, delegates, observers, with the experience of two world wars to guide us, and an atmosphere of greed, corruption and hatred enveloping us, we, the women of the Caribbean Women’s National Assembly, support the world-wide protest for the reduction of armaments and prohibition of atomic, thermo-nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, with the final aim of total disarmament; reduction of military budgets in favour of budgets for social progress; peaceful solution of all differences by negotiations; respect for the principle of Equal Rights and Self Determination of people according to the Charter of the United Nations; peacéful co-existence between states irrespective of economic and social systems; and economic, scientific and cultural co-operation among nations on a basis of equality. We fully realise that until this achievement is reached, the living conditions that reduce ourselves and our families to the status of beasts in the jungle devouring each other in order to live, can never, never, be eliminated. === [PDF page 138] === TUNISIA Mrs. NOVEA BOU ATTOUR of the Federation of Tunisian Women In the name of the Federation of Tunisian Women I agree to the agenda of the Conference, and also in its name I demand that firm resolutions be taken for the cessation of nuclear tests and for the prohibition of nuclear weapons, I would also suggest that a rather more important place be given to the war in Algeria, for this is the problem which occupies us Tunisian women first and foremost. In the first place because we are solidly united with the Algerian people who are fighting against our deadly enemy — colonialism. We have had to bear the colonial yoke for 72 years and we are still bearing the consequences. Apart from that, it is taking place on our frontiers and very often on our very territory. (You all know the tragedy of Sakiet Sidi Youssef and the events of these last days.) The war in Algeria is a danger to world peace. No woman can be insensible to the horrors of war, to the tortures and affronts which our Algerian brothers and sisters have to bear. Every day, men and women are being massacred. Shame and despair overcomes them at the sight of their children — raped and often murdered. Algeria is full of concentration camps, and our brothers have to submit to horrors which are even worse than those of the Gestapo. Interrogations, torture with electricity, prolonged cold baths. obscenities and beatings, these are every day practices. Young girls of 16 to 20 years of age are forced to live in dungeons, others are sentenced to death after illegal trials with completely fabricated evidence. Others again are raped and then shot. Whole families are pursued and tracked down. Prisoners of war and even the wounded are shot. We, the women of Tunisia, cannot remain indifferent in face of this state of affairs. For two years now, the activity of the women in Tunisia has been concentrated on the problem of solidarity with Algerian women. We have helped the wounded, sent aid to the front and to the refugees. Our help for the wounded has shown itself in many different ways. Women of our organisation have knitted warm garments, they have sewn shirts, and the wounded were thus able to live through the winter warmly clad. A delegation, headed by our President, Mrs. Ben Milad, visited the frontier of Ain Draham in order to ensure that the garments that we had collected or purchased, washed and ironed were distributed to the Algerian refugees. But the number of refugees is increasing daily. Today there are more 138 === [PDF page 139] === eee “ | in A than 70,000 Algerians in Tunisia, and every day hundreds more are arriving. Whole families are fleeing to escape the hail of bombs and gunfire. to escape arson, rape and famine. We are thankful that the united action of the women of the world and of men of heart was able to save Djamila Bouhired and her companions. We thank the women of the world whose militant campaign was able to save the young heroine Djamila Bouhired. This same solidarity was also shown by our young people. You all know of Sakiet Sidi Youssef, that peaceful little frontier village, which even many Tunisians didn’t know of before, and which from one day to another became world, front page news, because of the tragic bombing which put an end to the laughter and peaceful joy of so many happy little school children. From all corners of the world, women have voiced their indignation. Permit me to express my thanks to China, Albania, France, the local committees of the lower Alps, of Poissy, Isere, Lille, Choulons-sur- Marne, of Bois-Colombes, Saint-Etienne, Toulon and Bastia, who addressed the following letter to us: { “The hearts of French women and mothers turned over with horror and shame at the news of the destruction of a peaceful little village in vour country by planes bearing the French colours and sowing death, Dear f Tunisian sisters, we hardly dare tell you with how much respect we share your terrible pain. Our tears mingle with yours at the horror of a destroyed school, of the corpses of little children, of a hospital in ruins, of ravaged homes. Our pain is only equalled by our wrath against those who are responsible for this crime.” For us, Sakiet is the symbol of aggression against a free and independent country. It represents the feelings of those men, who in order to pursue their policy, do not hesitate to attack children on school benches. We, the women of Tunisia, are convinced that the war in Algeria is becoming an even greater threat to our own independence. You aré all informed about the latest events. This independence is very fragile, even though it is officially recognised by dozens of countries who were present at the first anniversary of our independence. It will be strong only when Algeria is also independent, and when foreign troops have evacuated our territory. Tunis. A children’s, village ‘the children of Bourguiba’. === [PDF page 140] === From this tribune and in the name of all Tunisian women. I appeal to the whole world: Women of the world! Let us pledge at this Congress to do everything in our power to put an end to the war in Algeria. I appeal to every one of you: make the heroic actions, the horrible sufferings, but also the unshaken will of the Algerian women to live in freedom, known in your country. I appeal to all women’s organisations: take concrete steps to force your governments to intervene for peace in Algeria. UNITED ARAB REPUBLIC, SYRIAN REGION Mrs. NADIA CHAEB League of Syrian Women for the Protection of Mother and Child The entire world, immense as it is, is represented today by us women from different countries, different systems of government and different races. We are dominated and united by the same feelings, the same ideas, determined to fight unflinchingly to assure woman all her rights as a mother, as a citizen and worker, to give children a better future, and to guarantee all humanity a life of happiness and calm which only one word can define: World Peace. This peace is as yet constantly threatened by nuclear tests and it is therefore the duty of every human being to protest against atomic tests and demand the prohibition of all atomic weapons. The responsibility for this properly lies with the Great Powers. A good understanding is consequently necessary between these great nations in order to arrive at an agreement to renounce the use of these weapons. This in itself would be a great step toward the relaxation of international tension. Disarmament would lessen the danger and allay the fear of a disastrous war. The people of the United Arab Republic have on many occasions expressed their desire for a cessation of the tests and the banning of nuclear weapons. Through the person of our president and hero, Gamal Abdel Nasser, our Republic has officially expressed her profound gratitude for the intiative taken by the Soviet Union in unilaterally stopping these tests. At the conferences of Bandung and Accra, the delegates of Syria and Egypt supported the decision to ban nuclear bombs and other weapons. We hope that the cessation of nuclear test will not remain unilateral, since it should also concern the United States and Great Britain. The armaments race not only swallows huge sums and human forces which could be used to raise the living standards of the people, but it also 140 === [PDF page 141] === sass Nad ALO exerts pressure on the smaller nations in order to force them into accepting their conversion into military bases, at the same time making them join innumerable pacts, all of which prevents them from protecting their independence, living in peace, developing economically and socially, while depriving them of their democratic liberties. Dear friends, the right of the peoples to decide their own future is not being respected by the imperialist countries and we, the Arab nations, continue to be the objects of criminal and bloody agressions on the part of the American, British and French imperialists. In Algeria, millions of human beings are brutally massacred by the imperialists with the arms of the North Atlantic Pact. In Aden and Yemen, the British imperialists fight against an unarmed Arab people. Right at this moment, in the Lebanon, hundreds of martyred patriots are victims of the agents of the Eisenhower Doctrine as a result of the intervention by the United States and Great Britain, which is designed to transform the Lebanon quite openly into a military base and to destroy i her independence. Subsequently these same forces will threaten the United Arab Republic, which obtained its independence only after a protracted A and heroic struggle. The imperialists want to take advantage of the struggle of the Lebanese people for freedom and democracy in order to interfere in their domestic affairs and to transform the country into a military base from which to threaten the Arabs. For no other reason but to cover up their internvention against the if independence of the Lebanon they have induced the treacherous government of the Lebanon to present its false charges against the United Arab Republic. Our sisters, the women of the Lebanon, being unable to attend this Congress, have asked us convey to you their warmest greetings. They ask for your support, begging you to make heard the voices of the women of the world to stop the Anglo-American interference which has caused bloodshed among their people including women and innocent children. The Baghdad Pact and the Eisenhower Doctrine keep a number of countries in chains including the Arab countries, depriving them of their right to independence and national sovereignty. ... The United Arab Republic, both parts of which — Syria and Egypt — have been freed of all remnants of imperialism, follows a foreign policy which reflects the will of the people and applies correctly the resolutions adopted in Bandung and Cairo: national independence; peaceful coexistence; relations between countries based on their mutual interests: resistance to all pacts. The policy of our Republic strengthens peace in the Middle East and contributes to the consolidation of world peace. It is a living example of the application of peaceful co-existance and friendship between peoples, even if their systems of government differ. ... Dear sisters, in the fight for their independence, their freedom and world peace, the Arab people value those who respect their viewpoint, and cordially thank those who have helped them in their fight against imperialism at the time of the aggression against Egypt and the attacks on other Arab countries. This is why we shall never forget the attitude of 141 === [PDF page 142] === our friends, the people of the Soviet Union, of the People’s Republic of China, the Asian and African countries, the People’s Democracies and all the other supporters of freedom, independence and peace in all parts of the world. At the same time we wish to thank the W.I.D.F. on behalf of all women in our Republic for the support it has given us in our struggle, especially during the aggression against Egypt and the attackts of Turkey and Israel against Syria. Once again we ask your solidarity for our Lebanese sisters who, together with their children find themselves at present in extremely great difficulties URUGUAY Professor AMANDA CANALE Member of the Council of the Union of Uruguayan Women . Our country is situated between two great South American nations, Argentine and Brazil. Its people are enthusiastic and courageous in character, with a long tradition of democracy. At present, it is subjected to economic colonisation by the United States and is in a state of underdevelopment because a handful of big landowners have taken possession of the land. The result of this situation is an increase in the number of slums, known as “Cantagriles”, which surround the capital and where more than 6,000 inhabitants are crowded together. The same situation exits in the provinces, where “Pueblos de Ratas” (“rat villages”) grow up round the farms of the big landowners, exploiters of the farm workers and masters over life and land. There are 1,500 “Pueblos de Ratas” where more than 250,000 inhabitants live forgotten and in misery. In the field of social legislation we have doubtless one of the most advanced systems in America. There are laws on the protection of women and children. Women have enjoyed equal civil rights and the right to vote for many years The war policy of our government, with its military treaties and the allocation of huge sums for armaments, aggravetes the economic crisis and hampers the development of a young country which could produce goods and engage in trade while at the same time defending its independence and peace. In the face of the economic speed-up, the people and the working masses are protesting, demanding the opening up of new outlets, new sourtes of work and trade with all the countries of the world. Activities . The Union of Uruguayan Wonfen has been affiliated to the W.I.D.F. since its inception and has made the demands of the masses of the women its own demands throughout the 12 years of its existence. Through its 142 lar; det stri sen sur str: sur arr but res === [PDF page 143] === programme it has helped women to develop their sense of responsibility towards national problems. Housewives are organised to defend family welfare, social institutions, to demand better housing and to protest against the high cost of living. In 1953, a draft law on nurseries and kindergartens was introduced. In 1956, thanks to a powerful signature campaign, an increase in the price of milk was prevented; at present we are waging a campaign of open letters to the government on the same subject. We are setting up clinics in the headquarters of our various sections and lead the struggle for local improvements (the provision of curb-fountains, the reduction of fares for school children, school lunches, the distribution of clothing and toys, etc.). 3 Our organisation supports other popular movements and co-operates with other organisations, for example with the Consumers’ League (which fights. for lower prices), the Tenant’s League (opposed to the raising of rents), and with the People’s Committee of the Southern District (where women opposed the increase in the price of bread by selling in in the streets two and three times cheaper than prices demanded by the speculators). We are represented on the Co-ordinating Committee Against Bad Literature for Children and Youth, together with 20 other organisations of different ideological and religious beliefs. This Committee organised two exhibitions and a series of conferences addressed by leading personalities, The Union of Uruguayan Women played an active part in the teachers’ movement in defence of state schools by organising petitions and deputations. ... Our working women have shown great maturity by participating in large numbers in all struggles for better conditions. They proved their determination in long drawn out strikes. They also participated in sit-down strikes and at strike meetings, without fearing police attacks and prison sentences. The women of the provinces of the interior (workers and wives of workers in the meat freezing plants, the rice mills, dockers, etc.) have supported strikes, participated in them and walked in the protest demonstrations, marching all the way across the Republic with their children. The Union of Uruguayan Women helped organise these struggles, supporting them through demonstrations, and messages to the government, arranging for medical aid during those long protest marches and distributing food and clothing collected by its committees. ... In the course of preparations for the IVth Congress of the W.1LD.F., we called a National Conference on “Women and Their Rights”, in order to win everybody and every organisation interested in the problem of women and children for our cause. Twentyfive organisations participated in it; commissions were set up to carry out the tasks laid down in the resolutions adopted at the Conference. Solidarity . After learning about the persecution of Algerian women, we wrote to the government, to the French Ambassador in Uruguay and to the ” President of the Republic of France, demanding that the accused women bespared and set free. 143. === [PDF page 144] === A delegation also called on the Spanish authorities to demand the freeing of the 44 young women in prison for having participated in the World Youth Festival. The invitation to the Committee of Soviet Women, to send a delegation to visit our country — an event which has already taken place — is further proof of the activities of the Union of Uruguayan Women for peace. We quite understand that this is all still too little compared with the seriousness of the threat of war and of atomic poisoning. But the fact that our country has never known war makes this problem much more difficult to understand. If we want to persuade the women of the need to fight for peace, we must show that the war policy (which deprives our children of bread and schools by sacrificing 13 million pesos to purchase one destroyer), has put an end to our national sovereignty through the pacts which make us dependent on foreign powers, and which turn our country into a military air base. Mrs. FRANCES LOMAN Observer We are deeply grateful to the W.D.I.F. for the honour and privilege of participating in this Congress. But above all, we shall ever be grateful for the inspiration, courage, warmth, solidarity and rich experiences we have gained from all you, dear sisters of the world. Our aspirations are the same — Peace. We are no different from women of other lands. We have the same aspirations and concerns as mothers, as wives, as workers, as citizens. We want to raise our children in a wholesome and secure environment, and to ensure their education and full development in keeping with the scientific and technical achievements of our country. The realisation of these aspirdtions are integrally connected with the maintenance of peace. We American mothers feel the effects of war policies in our every day lives and in the lives of our children. We are not standing by idly. We struggle for badly needed new schools, replacement of adolescent schools, additional teachers, playground facilities, child care centres, hospitals, health centres, baby health stations, all of which we-are being deprived of because of the huge war budget consuming directly and indirectly 80 per cent of the national budget. Contrary to all the traditions of our country, a peacetime draft has been imposed upon our sons which tears them away from their normal life, forces them to be part of an army of occupation in many parts of the world, leading to frustration and break down in morale of a whole generation of American youth. 144 === [PDF page 145] === The cost of living mounts, in the month of May it rose to the highest level in our history. This coupled with the growing acuteness of the economic crisis and increasing unemployment, has created disaster areas where there is widespread poverty, misery and starvation Civilian defence drills strike terror into the hearts of all. Little school children are obliged to cower under their desks from some imaginary atom bomb attack from an imaginary enemy, all made to seem very real. In recent weeks the accidental explosion of an atomic war head in South Carolina, the accidental explosion of Nike missiles in New Jersey resulting in sixteen dead, including three bodies that disintegrated into the air, along with the growing apprehension over radio-active fall-out and atomic clouds. are bringing home more clearly to the American people the nature of atomic politics. The cry is being raised to halt nuclear tests, and n the use of atomic weapons. Organisations for this demand take many forms: Walk for Peace Committees; committees for a sane nuclear policy are mushrooming in many cities, and within the cities local branches are being organised in every community. City chapters of the Women’s International League ‘for Peace and Freedom are increasing their memberships and activities. The initiative taken by the U.S.S.R. in its unilateral decision to halt nuclear tests was hailed with enthusiasm and deep appreciation. This has added new strength to the demand that our Government bring nuclear tests to an immediate halt. Our Negro women sisters in the United States are charting new paths of struggle for freedom that are arousing the conscience of white America, and they are ising the level of struggle of all women in our country Negro women are the most oppressed of our people, being oppressed as women and as Negroes. Struggling in the heart of the deep South, Negro women are striking out militantly for dignity and freedom. In the bus boycott of Montgome: Alabama, Negro women walked five to six miles to and from work rather than ride buses that heaped the indignity of segregation upon them. One woman past 60 years old, wrinkled and bent from age and fatigue on her long walk home from work one night, was asked by the driver of a car who picked her up “Aren’t you tired Mother? To which she replied: “When Im walking down Glory road my feet grow wings.” The world resounds with the story of Little Rock. The continuing racist policies of the United States were exposed before the entire world when Federal troops had to be sent to Little Rock, Arkansas, to protect the lives of eight Negro boys and girls and their right to-attend the Little Rock High School And the courage of Mrs Bates, the leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People in Arkansas, and the mothers of these children, gave heart and inspiration to women everywhere in the country. We listened with special interest and responsibility to our sisters from Cuba, Guatemala, Canada and the other American nations, for we understand that Wall Street interests monopolize the economic resources of these countries and trample upon the rights of their people. It is our responsibility 145 === [PDF page 146] === to bring back to the women of the Unfted States the appeal of the Cuban women and make our women more aware than ever of their international responsibilities and we pledge to our Cuban sisters that we will do this. Our representation here is but a symbol of the desire of countless women to be here with you. Objective conditions in the United States have placed great obstacles in the way. Our presence here is due to the strenuous effort of the Provisional Committee to Ensure Representation at the Fourth Congress of the W.I.D.F., many of whose members were delegates to former W.I.D.F. Congresses. We participated in the founding Congress of the W.I.D.F. in Paris 1945. Our delegation, headed by Muriel Draper, brought with it the tradition and experiences of over 100 years of American women’s struggles for the rights of women. And, dear sisters, we will once again take our rightful plate in the ranks of the W.I.D.F., in the not too distant future Mrs. NINA POPOVA President of the Soviet Women’s Committee, Vice-president of the WIDF . A very important question is on the agenda of our Congress: “The Role and Responsibilities of Woman in the modern World.” This is well understandable. At present, great changes are taking place on the international scene, new factors arise, and this proves that the world has entered a new period of international relations. 900 million people, that is more than a third of mankind, are building up a new life. The development of their economy, the remarkable victories won in the field of technical progress are proof of the power of the socialist countries. . Our Soviet Union is already ahead of all other countries in the important field of the utilization of atomic energy for peaceful ends. Great succes has been attained in the field of aeronautical construction. Isn’t the launching of three artificial satellites into the universe a victory of Soviet national economy, science and technology? The delegations and individuals from abroad who came to visit our country were able to see with their own eyes the upward surge of our industry and agriculture and the development of Soviet culture. ... Another essential factor is the development of the national liberation movement, that now plays a more and more influential role in favour of world peace. ... One of the main characteristics of the development of this movement is the fact that the interest with which the underdeveloped countries regard the upswing of the national economy and welfare of the peoples is closely linked with the preservation of peacce. Together with the socialist countries, 146 === [PDF page 147] === the countries of Asia and Africa form a large peace zone which today unites an overwhelming majority of the population of the globe The fresh wind of the national liberation movement is penetrating more and more the countries of Latin America. This is another important proof of how the fight for independence of the peoples is extending The changes in the balance of power prove that a new era in the development of international relations is beginning, an era in which it is no longer possible to neglect the aspiration of the peoples to maintain peace and international security. The principle of peaceful coexistence between states with different political systems is a permanent and inseparable principle of Soviet foreign policy. Our country does not have to annex new territories and does not wish to dominate any other people. We have all that is necessary to develop our economy and to satisfy our material as well as our cultural needs. We need peace, and our people tenaciously fights for it. After her proposal to stop the tests with atomic and hydrogen bombs, the Soviet Union took the first step on the road to the complete banishment of these weapons of mass destruction by deciding unilaterally to discontinue her own tests after March 31st, 1958 Thus the Soviet Government offers proof of its peaceful intentions and of its sincere desire to see practical steps taken in the field of disarmament and in the banning of nuclear weapons To defend peace means to strengthen confidence between the peoples, to know each other better, to learn about each other’s living conditions, about the progress realized in science, culture and the arts of each country ... The Soviet Union, setting out from the principle of peaceful coexistence of the peoples, is constantly widening the front of friendship with all countries; with this aim, she favours visits of Soviet citizens to other countries and of foreign friends to the U.S.S.R.: 2,200 foreign delegations from 89 countries have visited the Soviet Union during the past two years. A. Mossevitch, Vice-President of the Council of Astronomy of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences. === [PDF page 148] === ... Tens of thousands of tourists from all continents visited the Soviet Union. ... The Soviet Women, who enjoy equal rights with men by law and in actual fact (our delegates in their speeches at the committee meetings already told how women and children live in our country), actively participate in the internal and external life of our country. They constantly strengthen and enlarge their contacts and friendly relations with the women of other countries. x ... The Soviet women are proud to be members of the W.D.1LF., of this great organization of the women of the entire world. They enthusiastically responded to the convocation of this Congress. Women of all trades and from all spheres of life, in the course of numerous meetings dedicated to the preparation of this Congress, approved the noble activities of our Federation, wished the work of this Congress full success and expressed their hope that this assembly of women will lend new strength and unity to the women of the different countries and nationalities in their fight against the danger of war, for women’s rights and for the life and the happiness of their children. ... All those who took the floor at this Congress clearly demonstrated the important part that women play in the internal life of each country as well as on the international plane. This shows that they understand their responsibilities regarding the solution of international problems. ..-.We, the women of the entire world, together with all peoples, can and must put a stop to the cold war and to the armaments race, and we must prevent an atomic war. We can and must defend the sacred right of our children and of all mankind — the right to live! ... The W.1.D.F. and its national organizations have always fought for the cause of peace, for unity, cooperation and friendship between women of the entire world. We welcome the resolutions passed by the International Cooperative Women’s Guild, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the Conference of the International Council of Social Democratic Women, who demanded that the tests with atomic and hydrogen weapons be stopped. We must call upon all women, whether they are followers of our movement or not, to demand action in the interest of peace. ... We must, dear friends, develop widespread action for the banning of atomic weapons, the liquidation of existing stocks and the suppression of atomic bases endangering the people of the countries in which they are installed. We must demand the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territories of other states and demand disarmament. We want the wealth of the world, the work and creative energy of men to be used for the welfare of all, we wish that the countless possibilities of the atomic age may be utilized for the benefit of mankind. . In discussing the question of the role and the responsibilities of woman in the modern world, the delegates to this Congress were right to raise the question of reinforcing the struggle for women’s rights, as a limitation of these rights prevents women from working actively and from exercising their influence for the solution of national and international problems. 148 === [PDF page 149] === We must get to know each other’s lives still better and mutually profi from our experiences. The study groups on specific subjects organized at the initiative of the W.I.D.F. or of other national organizations demonstrated how fruitful the exchange of experience has been; it enabled women to n about the activities of other organizations and contributed to mutual understanding and friendship We think that such study groups should occupy an important place in ganizations the activities and the cooperation of women’s o: We consider it very useful to convoke regional meetings and conferences, where the problems interesting various women’s organizations would be studied. They would contribute to bring the different viewpoints together and would help to find issues on which the different organizations could act jointly Our Congress will doubtlessly be an important step in the development of the international women’s movement and will strengthen the unity of all women in the fight for peace, for their rights and for the happiness of their children VIET NAM Mrs. NGUYEN THI THAP President of the Federation of Vietnamese Women We agree with all our hearts to the report given by our dear President, Mme. génie Cotton, on the role and responsibility of women today We know that the conflicts existing in the world today must be solved For on the one hand, the threat of atomie war, which is being intensively prepared by the warmongers, can become a reality at any moment which would mean the annihilation of humanity. On the other hand we see the prospect of a world where the nations live in friendship and peaceful coexistence using atomic energy for the well-being of mankind In view of this situation, we women as the bearers of life, must exert ourselves to counteract the war danger in order to protect humanity, and fight for a world where the peoples can live in peace and friendship. For only under these conditions can women’s rights and the happiness of our families be ensured, The present situation demands greater vigilance and a unity of action from us. We must bring all mothe into the ranks of those already fighting for the protection of life and the happiness of mankind, especially those who have not yet understood that the armaments race can unleash a war in any part of the world 149 === [PDF page 150] === War is now threatening most countries in the world, just as it threatens our country, which is still suffering from being divided into two zones: one half is free, but the other half is still in the hands of the aggressive imperialists. The victory of Dien Bien Phu finally put an end to the devastating war, provoked by those who ravaged our country for nine long years. Four years have passed since the end of the war, but its painful memories are engraved in the hearts of all Vietnamese mothers. Our country is still bleeding from the wounds inflicted by the war, and we have not yet been able to heal them all. But the imperialists refuse to learn a lesson from the defeat they suffered: They would like to establish their rule over our country once mere, again they are trying to become the masters of South-East Asia. They cling stubbornly to South Vietnam, an integral part of our country, and oppose all plans of reunification. According to the 1954 Armistice Agreement in Geneva, the reunification of our country should have taken place in July 1956. The American imperialists have turned the South of Vietnam into a war base, acting in contravention to the clauses of the Geneva agreement, which forbids all war preparations, and contrary to the just hopes of our people who wish our country to be reunified through general and free elections. The Americans have organised an army of 300,000 men, trained by American officers and equipped with hundreds of thousands of tons of new American war material, illegally imported into the South during the four years of peace. They have built a network of military air bases for jet planes, installed a naval defence system and constructed a net of strategic highroads even more modern that that of the Hitler fascists. The result of all this is, that Vietnamese mothers in the South live in constant fear for the lives of their husbands and children, who are subject to military conscription — which means a departure with no hope of return. Mothers and wives live in North Vietnam, while their children or their husbands are in the South. South Vietnamese women, whose families have settled in the North, can no longer endure the suffering caused by this prolonged separation. Is it not barbarous, that citizens of the same country, members of the same family should be forbidden to correspond with each other or to see each other? But the tense situation in our country only partly reflects the very serious situation in the whole world. We firmly support every effort aimed at saving mankind from atomic war. Recently the government of the Soviet Union declared its decision to cease all atomic weapon tests, and invited the other countries producing these destructive weapons to do likewise. The Soviet Union proposed that a Summit Conference should be held to discuss questions concerning the destruction of atomic weapons and the reduction of armaments. We ardently support this proclamation of peace. We are fighting to force the other Powers to follow the same road, so that an end can be made to all aggressive military alliances, and to all military bases established on the territory of other countries — such as in South Vietnam. We support the heroic struggle of the Algerian people for its national independence, and of the Indonesian people against imperialist intervention in the internal affairs of their country. We want to build a world where the nations live in peaceful coexistence with each other and where the danger of war will be banned for ever. 1450 === [PDF page 151] === There is nothing more beautiful nothing more natural than their exch n mutué territorial integ iding between the peoples. xtend cultural and economic spect the fhe dream united tc ity ir ho love mothers dur anges, to stren by peaceful ationé pendence of ture, where people live in ciples nd the great number peace. The f this peacef of cou 1 those w p between Vie ese and tance is proof of this. It contribu peace and national independence, and of French sons who had beer our war of res tainir to our ¢ 1eir homes thousands This friendship urned forced to ser us to tell the French soldiers to dren”. F ch and V: do not hate each other. We tell our ct enemies of enabled your mothers, to your wives and your c nese mothers 1ildren and our brothe: “Win your yesterday to become peace fighters, for France needs them, as Vietnam needs your, to help build a world of peace and friendship We are certain that French mothers think as we do, that mother love and international friendship will strengthen the bonds between our two peoples. We have learnt from experience that it is our responsibility to teach this friendship and this wondeful bond between mothers to all those who are dear to us, without waiting for < to be declared. The education of our children in this spirit of endship, is a decisive means of safeguarding world peace. For the weapons of the warmongers, diabolical as they may be, will be of no use at all, if nobody wishes to make use of them Dear Friends, in our opinion the responsibility of safeguarding peace demands real equality for women in the family as well as in society. This responsibility means that women must make her contribution to the struggle for the independence of her cour for the prosperity of her people and for the happiness of today deman take part in the working and isati of a peace policy in her cou is the r er family. The wor nan of budgets and the armed forces, ensuring that the national economy is used to serve the needs of the people and that unemploymen any and every wo The North of our cour re-established there. N in society at all, enjoy e ibolished. On these vit 1 questions. rward practical and good ideas. is free, and for four years peace has been 1 peasant wor no position 1 righ men. T: local Administrative Commi id as d take part in directing all regional activities administrative committees, in the provincial women. Our delegates have taken part in the wrk of the central government, in the National Assembly, in the Commis: to revise the Constitution, and in the Commission for a New Family Code. This proves that women’s problems are given every consideration. Indeed, w contribution, the struggle for national tion of our country) ected as Chairmen co-operatives, they of the delegates in the nd city People’s Councils are ithout women’s independence and for the reconstruc would not be successful In contrast, the women in the Soutt equality and for th of our country are fighting for democratic rights — but vain. While North 151 === [PDF page 152] === Vietnamese women are really mistresses in their country, while they enjoy the application of the principle “equal pay for equal work”, and while their children benefit from schools and hospitals, the impoverishment of various sections of the population in the South is increasing day by day. The city of Saigon alone, with two million inhabitants has 400,000 unemployed. The intellectuals who want peace and the reunification of our country are accused of being traitors, and of endangering the safety of the state. They are arrested, exiled and even murdered. The gaol of Poulo Condore, which in the time of the French colonialists was reserved exclusively for men, today includes among its prisoners many women intellectuals who are fighting for peace. This situation has made the South Vietnamese realise that as long as our country is divided, as long as the imperialists continue to meddle in the affairs of our country, improvements in the living standard, equality and democratisation are only empty words. Dear friends. In the face of present difficulties and dangers, our united action in the big family of the W.I.D.F., is more vitally necessary than ever. Together with all women who want peace in the world, we Vietnamese women are gathering our strength and using every opportunity in the fight for world peace, and for the national independence of the peoples. === [PDF page 153] === International Centre of Films for Children — Brussels Mrs. ELSA MARCUSSEN On behalf of the Board of the International Centre of Films for Children I am glad to have the opportunity to give you some factual information regarding the work of this centre. As you know the question of children and films has come very much to the foreground in the years sinde the Seconds World War. In 1957 the Centre was permanently established with its seat in Brussels. According to the statutes of the international centre the essential object of the Centre is to ensure permanent international co-ordination in the field of films for children and adolescents, whether especially produced for them or not. It will use the following means: 1. The collection, exchange and dissemination of information concerning — (a) the production, distribution and exhibition of such films in the world. (b) Continued research with regard to the influence of films on young people and the tastes of children and adolescents. (c) Current legislation and regulations in force in different countries, notably with regard to the welfare of children in this field. (d) In general all questions regarding the cinema in its relation to young people. 2. Co-ordinated action on an international level as well as in the different countries. 3. The creation and support of the National Centres provided for in the statutes. ‘ 4. The promotion and co-ordination of all studies and investigations with regard to the cinema and in its relation to youth. 5. Development of film education for children both in and out of school. 6. Assistance in the preparation of versions in different languages of films that may promote international understanding and co-operation among young people and the investigation into the financial means _ necessary for the creation of an international fund to develop this activity. ‘ In accordance with the statutes only the following will be accepted as members of the international centre of films for children — (a) International organisations concerned with the problems of films in relation to young people. (b) National Centres or Committees concerned with the same problems. 153 === [PDF page 154] === 4th World Congress of W.1.D.F. ist June, 1958 MOKOVA DAGMAR 1 am very happy to have the privilege of greeting, in the name of the Secretariat and Girls Commission of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, the [Vth Congress of the W.L.D.F. This Congress, which is in fact the culminating point of the recent work of the W.1.D.F., is truly an event of very great importance. It is with lively interest and satisfaction that we follow the development and the success of our sister organisation, the W.I.D.F., its activities for the strengthening of friendly relations between the peoples, for mutual understanding and for peaceful co-operation and defence of the rights of women. We deeply appreciate the work of the member organisations of the W.1.D.F. in a great number of countries where women are becoming more conscious of their rights and their duties and know how to fight for the victory of their aspirations. The World Federation of Democratic Youth always pays attention to the problems of the younger generation of women. It is quite logical therefore that nearly half the members of the W.F.D.Y. are women and girls. All the youth have the same fundamental problems to face and the youth of every country fights together to find a solution to these problems. The essential aim of all youngsters is in effect the aim of all peoples of goodwill, to uphold peace and to solve all problems between the nations by peaceful means. For all young people who dream of a better tomorrow a problem which concerns their very life is how to face the future with confidence. The necessity of peace becomes even more obvious today when the world is menaced by the horrors of nuclear arms and hydrogen bombs capable of wiping out the whole of humanity and destroying all our cultural, scientific and technical achievements, which, with peace, could serve the well-being and happiness of the whole of mankind. Young people know that peace can triumph over war if all those who desire it unite. Women and young girls have already demonstrated by their concrete work how they can help in the realisation of this vital necessity. Apart from problems common to all, there are some specific problems which chiefly concern women. Permit me to give.just a few of those which are the most important for our generation. We are in effect very far from recognising and realising the very correct demand for equal possibilities in education for young men and women. At the present moment when technology is advancing quickly. 154 ‘oy tee wen) et oe faa tan ae === [PDF page 155] === | ACEC young women in many countries have hardly any possibility of studying science or technology or to train themselves to work as qualified technicians in industry, and where a few facilities do exist these are solely in those few branches of industry where young girls are admitted by tradition, such as dressmaking, housework, agriculture, a tradition which in a great many contries is still strictly observed. On top of this young women and girls are very often the object of double exploitation. They do not receive equal pay for their work. Their salary in a great number of European countries being always lower than that of young men — not to mention the practices which exist in the majority of countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. } What an incomprehensible thing it is that young women still do not | enjoy equal political and social rights with young men. We must consider the fact that in eleven countries women are still deprived of the right to vote, that the practice of forced marriage still exists, child-marriages, and other unjust customs based on the supposed inferiority of women to men, still exist in a great number of countries. Women in the whole world are becoming more and more conscious of their rights, above all in those countries where only a few years ago it was absolutely impossible for a woman to express her opinion, where she was completely excluded from social life and submitted by the colonial | system to_a life of darkness and ignorance. It is because of this that the women of Africa and Asia have participated in the Cairo Conference, where discussion took place on significant ameliorations in their conditions of life. I In the struggle of young women, Djamila Bouhired, by her courage and | the love she has shown for her country and for liberty, has dramatically presented the protests of the thousands of young women and men who rescued her from death. The young girls of Hiroshima, despite the fact that some of them are bound to die in the near future, continue their struggle to inform the young people of the world of the terrible consequences of an atomic war. Yoshiko Murato, during her visit to Europe, declared in Paris: “For us it is very difficult to live but what helps me to live is precisely the existence of this great movement against the atom and hydrogen bombs and nuclear tests. My decision to come to Europe was very firm and explicit. But I dare to hope that your presence, your modest contribution, perhaps has this message: THAT NEVER AGAIN WILL WE EXPERIENCE WHAT HAPPENED AT HIROSHIMA.” It is the W.F.D.Y.’s duty to help these young girls to find a solution to their problems. That is why four years ago, through the Secretariat of the W.F.D.Y., a commission was formed directed specifically to solving the problems of young girls. Of course this commission is not the only one to interest itself in this sphere, the problems of young girls are the basis of serious discussions within the committees and executive bodies of the W.F.D.Y. Thousands of young girls have become acquainted with our Federation as a result of the VIth Festival in Moscow, as it was one of the initiators and organisers. A large number of delegates to the festivals were young girls and it is a remarkable fact that the number of young girl delegates 155 === [PDF page 156] === grows larger and larger from festival to festival. The festivals offer to young people a magnificent opportunity of getting to know other young people from various countries, their experiences, their life, their customs, their culture. Very often for those ycung girls who have gone with apprehension and fear, the festival was the first time they came to realise the possibility of a more dignified and happier life. When they returned, to their own countries many of them started to take an active part in the struggle for democracy and peace and in defence of their rights in society.? In 1959 the VIIth World Youth Festival will take place in Vienna and it should be noticed that the number of organisations taking place gets larger every time. And this year the Preparatory Committee of the Festival which met at Stockholm on the 24th and 25th of March, was made up of representatives of very different countries, of national organisations, and of very diverse opinions. But they are all agreed on the need for the festival, on the need for the meeting of world youth, for peace and friendship. At this meeting it was decided to organise a very full and interesting programme for young girls and to dedicate a special day to them We also think that on this day young girls of the same profession should meet together to discuss their problems and exchange ideas. We are certajn that the women’s organisations which are members of the W.F.D.Y. and the W.I.D.F. will render real help in the success not only of this girls day but of the whole festival, which without doubt should be an unforgettable manifestation of the life of the younger generation, of its creative abilities. of its desire for friendship, co-operation and for peace. We think that plenty of possibilities still exist to organise common activities with your Federation, for example, a meeting of the young women of Europe, perhaps in 1960, some regional meetings, and delegations such as. for example, a meeting of girl’s student delegations from Africa and Europe. We have already co-operated in the special W.F.D.Y. publication directed specially to young girls and we think that it is really extemely useful to continue along the Same lines in the future. Allow me in conclusion to thank you for your very kind invitation to participate in this very important assembly. and to express to you once again our most sincere support. === [PDF page 157] === Greeting from the International Organization of Journalists | Mrs. ZDENKA ZIMOVA . The International Journalists’ Organization unites those journalists who not only reflect different political tendencies but who also bear witness to the efforts of the workers of the press to achieve broad international co-operation and friendly understanding. What is the main objective of this organization? To work for the maintenance of peace, for the consolidation of friendship between the peoples and for international understanding by means of free and truthful information which honestly mirrors public opinion; to work against war propaganda, and against national and racial hatred as well as against the attemps to aggravate international tension by means of lies and calumnies of all sorts. Last May, the Fourth Congress of the International Journalists Organization took place in Bukarest. Not only members of the organization took part, but also delegates from other organizations and representatives of UNESCO. This Congress adopted a number of resolutions including one on peace. which was passed enthusiastically. It stressed the fact that the cooperation of journalists represents a potent force in the struggle of the nations for peace and the happiness of mankind, and that this cooperation must be more and more improved. The delegates of the Congress stated in the resolution that they are conscious of their great responsibility and their particular mission in the present-day world. ~ They understand that they must be the bearers of progressive ideas, defenders of humanism and interpreters of their peoples. They understand that they can serve the ideas of peace even better if they work for the strengthening of fraternal bonds and of unity between nations. and if they contribute honestly toward the establishment of the truth. The Congress of the Journalists unanimously condemned the propagation of war psychosis, the manufacture and testing of nuclear weapons. The International Journalists’ Organization called upon all its members and upon all honest journalists the world over to say once and for all no to war, to the propaganda and the preparations of war. Our organization is convinced that this resolution will also be welcome by all women journalists and above all by those who work for women’s journals, which play such a decisive part in the political development of. women everywhere in the world. 157 === [PDF page 158] === The International Journalists’ Organization includes in its programme the organization of international meetings of journalists with specific assignments, in order to give them an opportunity to exchange experiences. These meetings serve to strengthen friendly bonds not only between journalists, but also between nations, and they can serve to clear certain problems and the exchange of material and information. The International Journalists’ Organization greatly appreciated the initiative shown by the W.I.D.F. in organizing a gathering of journalists from publications of the organizations affiliated to the W.LD.F. in 1954. . When we speak today of the great responsibility of the woman of today we must also consider the present role of the woman’s press, It is generally said that the press is a very sensitive seismograph of events in the world. But we journalists of the women’s press are not satisfied with this role of recorder. We want to help women and encourage them to overcome the difficulties that face them in their life within their families and within society. We want to help them to realize that they are the masters of their own destiny, and we want to collaborate in making life beautiful and happy for the women, for the children and for all of humanity. Honest journalists everywhere in the world don’t want to limit themselves to a passive role but like the I.J.O. and hundreds of millions of people in the world they want to defend life against death with all their strength and the burning enthusiasm of their women’s and mothers’ hearts. They want to give their pens all the fighting strength, the courage and the love necessary to attain this great and noble aim. === [PDF page 159] === MANIFESTO OF THE IVth CONGRESS The women meeting at the [Vth Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, have come from 70 countries, from different social backgrounds, with varied religions, opinions and languages, members and non- members of the W.I.D.F. We were delegated by hundreds of millions of women of all continents, to consider the role and responsibility of women in the world, today. We are meeting at a moment of profund change. Mankind has entered the atomic era. The outstanding scientific discoveries have unfolded an inspiring promise to the people for their welfare. A great transformation is taking place in the world regarding the status of women. Hundreds of millions of women enjoy full rights, millions of others demand their rightful place in society. They are a new creative force which is contributing to the welfare and prosperity of their peoples and of all mankind. A new woman is being born who strives to fulfil her responsibilities as citizen, mother and educator of her children, as a companion to her husband and as a worker in the service of progress. Women are an active force in the struggle of the peoples for security, for their sovereign rights, for equality and respect for human dignity, and for friendly cooperation and peace. But this irresistible march forward of mankind is hampered by the plans of those who suppress the movement of peoples fer independence with the most brutal methods, who speed up the armaments race, thus aggravating international tension and threatening the world with a terrible atomic war. Atomic war, with its frightful power of extermination, is a challenge to women and their very rights to motherhood. It is the enemy of our children and of all mankind. We call upon all women to demand measures to ensure peace. We welcome with gratitude and hope the peaceful action of the Soviet Union in taking the initiative to stop the tests. Atomic tests are already spreading slow death amongst our children, are causing the birth of human being with abnormalities, and threatening future generations. We urge government possessing these weapons immediately to end all atomic tests. We demand the prohibition of atomic weapons, the destruction of stock piles and the removal of launching sites which mark as victims the people 159 === [PDF page 160] === of the countries where they are installed. We call for an end to the flights of aeroplanes loaded with atomic bombs which are a constant threat to peaceful towns and villages. We demand the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territories which they occupy. We demand the settlement of all differences between countries by negotiations. Together with all the peoples we demand disarmament. Any arms reduction would release large sums of money. The less bombs and rockets, the less hunger and misery. We want riches, the work and creative energies of the peoples to be used to serve the welfare of all, and the tremendous perspective held out to mankind by the atomic age to be fulfilled. Disarmament leads to the relaxation of international tension and opens the way of confidence between the peoples based on equality and respect for national independence. We desire a world free from hatred and racism where ali children will be able to know,.to understand and to love one another. We support all women who are struggling for national independence and who are victims of repression. We demand that the governments respect the principles of national independence and the human rights as embodied in the ‘Charter of the United Nations. We call upon all women. We are united by deep common aspirations. The things we differ on are nothing as compared to those on which we agree. Let us work together. Let us act with determination and join with all those who struggle for progress and peace. The time has gone when women could be considered inferior. Let us do away with discrimination and demand our full rights and respect for our responsibility. We are hundreds of millions, one half of mankind. Our actions can be decisive in the struggle to prevent atomic war. Many women’s organisations and authoritative voices have already made themselves heard. If all women and all women’s organisations who desire the emancipation of women, the protection of children and the defence of peace would unite, they would be invincible. We must be worthy of our responsibility. Peace must prevail. Together let us help build a better world.