World Congress of Women Convened by the WIDF, Moscow, June 1963

=== [PDF page 1] === MOSCOW - JUNE 1963 WORLD BONGRESS WOMEN === [PDF page 2] === World Congress of Women MOSCOW, JUNE 1963 CONVENED BY THE WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION === [PDF page 3] === [Illustration: world map with lines radiating from a circular inset photograph over Europe to countries around the world; handwritten library mark in the upper-left corner] === [PDF page 4] === 1 World Congress of Women which took place in Moscow from June 24 to 29, 1963, at the initiative of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, united, in the large modern Kremlin Palace of Congresses, 1,543 women of 113 countries of all continents. It was an event which could not be ignored and which had an etiect on everyone. This great Congress was a response to the constant concern of the WIDF since its foundation, that of assembling women of the whole world, without distinction as to race, countries, social conditions, opinions or religion, to work together at the realisation of their common ambitions: the happiness of their children, the improvement otf the status of women in all fields and peace. For women these ambitions answer such a great need for justice and humanity that their universality is recognized by all more and more each day. This was not the first time that the WIDF participated in a great international meeting and the memory of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of International Women’s Day in 1960 in Copenhagen was especially vivid in the minds of many participants at the World Congress of Women. But no previous meeting had such a clear world character as that of Moscow, none had been so well balanced in its composition: each continent was represented at this Congress by almost the same number of countries. One can imagine all the opportunities for exchange ot information and discussions that exist in such a forum. Nothing can replace living contacts in tinding out what is really taking place in the world, and the heart-rending speeches of the delegates of Iraq, South Vietnam and South Africa told us much more that we could have learned through lectures. In a world congress each woman profits from the experiences of other women and the idea to unite the possibilities of each to attain a common ambition naturally springs up. Thus cooperation with diverse international women’s associations and with the agencias of the U.N. such as UNESCO and FAO was strengthened. No doubt life in today’s world is made up of thousands of old ways of living which until recently proceeded in isolation and which airplanes and television have clashingly brought together and merged. This process in never smooth and the World Congress of Women naturally showed evidence of certain differences of opinion. It is good that this took place. But the essential thing for the democratic organisation that prepared the World Congress of Women is that it gave satisfaction to the very great majority of participants, as has been evidenced by numerous messages and declarations. The essential is that many women obtained a clearer consciousness of their personal possibilities and the strength of their unity. Some sixty years ago when a young gitl wished to be educated and participate in social life she met with objections and the argument that this would prevent her from === [PDF page 5] === being a good mother. Experience in a number of countries has since shown that this is not so and that children can only benefit by being brought up by women who know and understand their tasks. This idea is becoming widespread and its pratical application must be helped everywhere. All educated women do not become Marie Curies any more than all cultivated men become Pasteurs. All daring and courageous women will not become Valentina Tereshkovas, but it is a very great encouragement for them all to know that the Marie Curies and Valentina Tereshkovas can exist, that there are great artists, writers, magnificent sportswomen, women administrators and parliamentarians of great value. The delegates to the World Congress of Women were particularly proud to count among them the first woman cosmonaut in the world, and particularly happy to tind her such a simple and charming person. The enthusiasm they were imbued with at this great congress is support for them in the accomplishment of their daily tasks and their desire to always more actively participate — according to conditions in their countries — in the liberation of man, for social progress and peace, === [PDF page 6] === Arrival of delegates at the Palace of Congresses in Moscow. === [PDF page 7] === The Congress was greeted by Soviet young Pioneers who, with the children of a Moscow school, presented a marvellous evening performance for the delegates. === [PDF page 8] === The WIDF in the struggle for peace, national independence, Women's rights and the happiness of children Report presented by Mrs. EUGENIE COTTON, President of the WIDF Dear friends, Our Soviet friends have just welcomed us to Moscow in words that have touched the hearts of every one of us. We thank them for their invitation to hold here the World Congress of Women, the importance of which is evident to all at this time. We thank them for the tremendeus efforts they have expended to allow such a number of delegates to work in excellent conditions of comfort and an atmosphere of great cordiality. There are many of the participants of this Congress who have stepped on Soviet soil for the first time and who are happy to greet the country which has, since 1917, recognised women’s equality with men in all fields in practice as well as in law. I thank Mr. Vladimir Promyslov, Mayor of Moscow, who has himself greeted the World Congress of Women in the name of his magnificient city, at the very heart of the Soviet Union, in this Kremlin of such a rich past. Even richer than its past is the future of this great country advancing with giant, steps on the === [PDF page 9] === road of progress. Never was a Congress greeted with such a stupendous feat as that just accomplished by the first woman cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. What we admire is not only the technical performance, but also the quiet courage of Valentina Tereshkova and her firm determination to fully accomplish a mission and to make her contribution to procress. Thank you, dear Valentina, for receiving with such simplicity and charm all honours bestowed on you! We are grateful to you for joyful youth which is accompanied by such a tremendous energy. Thank you for having realised the dreams of your elders! Thank you, dear Sea-gull so full of courage and valour, for having seen for all of us, from high up, that there are no barriers between the continents, that there is just one earth, our earth, which is dear to all of us! And it is by giving to all the children of this earth — men and women alike - the feeling of fraternity, of equality and community of interests that we pave the way for the peaceful coexistence to which we all aspire. Thus the Soviet women contribute. in the most striking fashion to the advancement of women which is taking place nowadays throughout the world, and there is no doubt that the women of the whole world will draw great encouragement from the fact that some of their essential demands already have been achieved by their Soviet sisters, as it is always helpful to be supported by precedents. As President of the organisation that has convened this World Congress, in my turn I would like to greet all the women who have answered its appeal, whether they belong to the Women’s International Democratic Federation or not. I think with great emotion of what efforts, devotion, sacrifice and ingenuity were needed in each country, in each city and village and even within families, to bring together here today women of all ages and of all continents; workers in the cities and in the countryside; manual workers and intellectuals, housewives, wives and mothers. I think of the enthusiasm aroused everywhere by the promise of the World Congress in Moscow and by its preparation in each country and of the difficulty in limiting the number of delegates. At first we had thought that the number of participants would not exceed 1,000. But we are about 1,400 here today, and we congratulate with all our heart the constant devotion that has permitted the realisation on Soviet soil of this great World Congress of Women. No doubt the previous Congresses of the WIDF were termed international or World Congresses of Women, but none has so well deserved the name as the Congress of Moscow, as the number of countries represented here is far greater than at any previous Con gress. In 1945 for example, at the constituent Congress of the WIDF in Paris, there were delegates of === [PDF page 10] === some 40 countries; today in Moscow there are about 120 countries represented. And today all the continents are represented by approximately the same number of countries - from 25 to 30 each, Africa having the largest representation. It is this representation of the different continents which gives the Moscow Congress a truly world-wide character. Dear friends, the realisation of such a meeting indicates the importance of two questions: — first the growing role of women in the life of the world; — then the confidence testified by their answer to its appeal, in the Women’s International Democratic Federation, by women of the most diverse origins. The striking evolution of women as shown by this Congress is part of the forward march of humanity. Everywhere at this time women wish to participate in the prodigious changes which are transforming the life of the world. ‘Humanity, which in the first centuries of its existence had a slow evolution, has now come into a period where the possibilities are growing at an accelerated rhythm thanks to human intellect. “Man is but a reed, but it is a thinking reed” Pascal said 3 centuries ago. And because man thinks, discovers and achieves, he is continuously enriching his everextending possibilities. For his physical strength and that of the animals he has domesticated, he has substituted the power of machines, using first the energy of steam, then that of electricity, and now the power of the atoms. The rapidly growing means of communication he has achieved have allowed the exploration of the earth and for 2 years now. beginning with Gagarin, the first cosmonaut, man has begun to explore space. The isolation of continents is over. Men of different races now have the possibility of meeting frequently and of collaborating on the only acceptable basis, that is on the basis of equality. The long struggles against all forms of oppression, whether it is called colonialism, racism or imperialism, are beginning to bear fruit. It is necessary only to compare the map of Africa of ten years ago to the present one to have a picture of the victories of political independence of peoples. More and more the respect of human beings, no matter of what race, religion or political opinion, no matter whether his country be large or small, whether man or woman, is becoming accepted. But oppressions of all kinds and of all degrees still exist in all continents! Numerous speculators prefer to destroy stocks of foods which they have amassed rather than lower the prices, while a large number of human beings die from hunger. Mothers, whose permanent concern is to provide all necessities for their children, are heavy hearted at the thought that many of them have not the means of appeasing the hunger of their little ones. They understand that there are still many things to be === [PDF page 11] === 10 changed in the world and that they must do everything to bring about these changes as speedily as possible. They understand better and better that the speeded up human evolution requires the activities and abilities of all, woman as well as man. Also all the changes are inter-connected and women’s possibilities grow with that of their countries. Every time a nation wins its national independence, women’s possibilities of achieving equality of rights increase. Of course we all know from experience that it is a far step from decisions on principle to the implementation of those decisions. The inertia of old traditions always opposes new ideas and must be reckoned with. Women have too long been considered as the guardians of tradition and refuse to accept this role any longer, they wish to live with the times and contribute with the men to the general progress of humanity. They know that they have many years of backwardness to overcome because of the inferior situation they have occupied so long in the family and society. For centuries they were handed from the authority of their fathers to that of their husbands, and all too often have only just lately known the pride of feeling equal and the dignity of human beings. This explains the interest shown in all countries in the World Congress of Moscow, a Congress convened by a woman’s organisation in which all the problems of their lives as women are permanently on the Agenda: Problems of lightening the heavy loads of their daily lives as mothers and wives; Problems of their long neglected education, of their vocational training, right to work and equal pay, their right to participate in the public life of their country. Problems affecting children and youth, the future of the world, which are not always dealt with sufficiently by the different countries and which mother-love places at the forefront of all women’s problems. Women are understanding bet! and better that happy solutio: could be achieved to these vital problems if humanity utilized as. it should the wonderful possibilities of science. But woman's suffering is great when she realises that the wonderful discoveries of modern science are, more often than not, used for war and death rather than to serve peace and life. | In 1903, when he was awarded, with Marie Sklodowska-Curie, the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radium, Pierre Curie expressed th fear that the immense powe liberated by science would become a terrible danger, “in the hands of the great criminals who prepare wars”, as he said then. Unhappily, 1945 proved his fears” to be true and the atom bombs that fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the beginning of August killed in a few seconds over 100,000 persons, and spread serious lingering diseases to many Japanese. “In Hiroshima the radiated heat === [PDF page 12] === burnt almost all the wooden houses up to a distance of 2!» kilometres. Mortal burns were inflicted within a radius of 1 kilometre. The telephone poles were superficially seared up to 3.35 kilometres from zero centre. Those who were not killed outright were seized with panic. Many tried to flee towards the river. A horrible procession! Some were naked, the clothes torn off them by the wind; others had but shreds of flesh or with the design of their clothing burnt into their skin; still others were blind, as the fire-ball had formed faster than the constricting muscle of the eye could react.” And now that we have available bombs millions of times more powerful than that of Hiroshima, it will be hundreds of millions of deaths that will occur the moment hostilities open and this could bring considerable change in the structure of our planet, changes comparable to the great geological cataclysms which have brought about the disappearance of entire continents. These horrible perspectives are not the result of the vivid imagination of science fiction writers, but are contained in statements of world renowned scientists. Therefore, why prepare ever more powerful, ever more numerous, ever more expensive atomic weapons? An end must be put to this folly by imposing disarmament. For five years this idea has been growing in the minds of great personalities of all countries. Women have not forgotten that in a famous speech to the General Assembly of the United Nations Nikita Khrushchov proposed a complete plan for general and controlled disarmament. His gesture of unilateral renunciation of nuclear testing unhappily was not followed, but his generous idea has become widely accepted: an end to nuclear testing and disarmament are more and more becoming a demand of peoples. Just recently a prominent religious personality Pope John XXIII, took up this idea in the important Encyclical “Pacem in Terris’. He recognized that the arms race is in no way a protection against war, but on the contrary threatens to lead to war by surprise or accident. In conclusion he said: “Justice, right, thinking, human feeling, demand that the arms race be stopped”... “It becomes humanly impossible that war in our atomic era should be an adequate means to obtain justice for violation of rights’... “Eventual conflicts between peoples must not be settled by recourse to arms but by negotiations.” Isn’t it remarkable that Pope John XXIII spoke the same language as the World Peace Movement? Isn’t it encouraging that two great nuclear powers and Great Britain have agreed to try, during a meeting to be held in Moscow next July, to conclude a treaty for the total ban of nuclear testing? Should we not rejoice at the changes that have taken place in the world and the will to peace expressed by the American people, as shown by the speech President === [PDF page 13] === Kennedy recently made at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Washington? In that speech he recognises the need for peaceful coexistence. Therefore, dear friends, our Congress opens in auspicious circum- 7 stances since the problem closest Ss abstinent tnt to women’s hearts, that of peace, eles walctind stb ado has become the chief concern of the heads of governments of the greatest nuclear powers. But this does not mean that the danger no longer exists or that we can relax our vigilance. The women cannot be satisfied with hopes so often unfulfilled; they want words to be transformed into actions. But the arms race continues. Tensions continue in many parts of the world, particularly in the Middle-East, Laos, in Europe where the West Berlin problem and the German Peace Treaty are still not settled, and where the Treaty recently signed between General de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer strengthens the German militarists and helps the danger ous spread of atomic arms. Wom- === [PDF page 14] === en will continue their struggle until peace is definitely assured. We cannot forget that last October, during the Caribbean crisis over Cuba, the world came to within an inch of war. If the invitation of the WIDF to participate in the present Congress received such a great welcome outside of the circle of its national organizations, it is due to the fact that since its foundation, the WIDF has always tried to help forward the aspirations of all women. Already in 1945 it decided to work in the spirit of its present Statutes which state; “that it is the expression of the will of the women of the whole world to unite against war, against oppression and misery, to build a future of progress, freedom and justice and peace. That it unites women without distinction of race, nationality, religion or political convictions to act in common for winning and defending their rights as mothers, workers and citizens, for the defence of children, to assure peace, democracy and national independence, helping thus to create bonds of friendship and solidarity between the women of the whole world.” One can see that this program has remained very much up to date, as it expresses all that women are at present striving to achieve in all fields. The activities of the Federation take in wide sections of women; they must continue to concentrate on women’s problems as the WIDF is neither a political party, a government, nor an assembly of diplomats. The WIDF aims at establishing the broadest unity among women in a spirit of confidence and friendship in order to launch concrete actions on points of the program mentioned above. It is my task today to give a survey here of the way in which the WIDF has accomplished its tasks since the last Congress held in Vienna in May 1958. At each meeting of its leading bodies, the Bureau or the Council, the WIDF reported on its work in regard to its permanent tasks in the field of defending the rights of children and women and of safeguarding peace, in accordance with its program. The tasks of the WIDF also include initiating actions and participation in meetings convened by other organizations to deal with questions of world wide importance. I shall not speak here of all activities carried out by the WIDF. The Secretariat has summarised them in a comprehensive report which will be widely distributed. I should only like to mention a few of the most important actions carried out in relation to the celebration of certain historic dates and in connection with particular international events. There is one date which should be emphasized above all: March 8th, International Women’s Day. It is known that this celebration was first introduced at Copenhagen in 1910 by the great German Socialist Clara Zetkin. She had recognized even in those days the opportunity for women of every 13 === [PDF page 15] === 14 background to come together each year and to demand equal rights and peace. I think that it is more important than ever that March 8th should be accorded its full significance in every country as a day of unity between women from all walks of life throughout the world. The WIDF naturally attached a great importance to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of this day at Copenhagen in 1960. The International Assembly held jointly by different organizations and personalities brought together more than 700 women from 73 countries, representing the most various trends of opinion, and presided by a Committee the composition of which was marked by the same diversity as that of the participants. Let us recall that it included Mrs. Anna Westergaard of Denmark, Mrs. Nazeeha Dulaimi of Iraq, Mrs. Cyrus S. Eaton of the United States of America, Mrs. Palma Guillen de Nicolau of Mexico, Mrs. Ina M6ller of Sweden, Mrs. Rameshwari Nehru of India, Mrs. Nina Popova of the Soviet Union, Counsellor Giovanna Pratilli of Italy, Her Royal Highness Rasmi Sobhana Princess of Cambodia, Mrs. Hurustiati Subandrio of Indonesia, Mme Marguerita Thibert and myself from France. This meetang gave rise to Commissions on the themes: “The participation of women in economic life’; “The civil rights of women”; “The participation of women in public life”; “Social services allowing women to accomplish both their outside activities and household duties”; “The cultural education and development of women”; “The tasks of women’s associations and of women in regard to international relaxation of tension, disarmament and international cooperation.” Contacts established on the occasion of the delivery of reports on the major problems concerning the life of women were very fruitful and the Assembly expressed the wish to continue a cooperation so well begun. A Liaison Bureau was constituted which has met several times and which carried out in November 1962 an important action: the World Forum of Women, which was held in Brussels, thanks in particular to the tenacious activity of Mme Emilienne Brunfaut, Secretary of the Liaison Bureau. Theme of the Forum was: “The education of youth in a spirit of understanding and friendship among the peoples” and it attracted very wide interest. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Belgium was represented there and UNESCO addressed a message to the participants. In contributing to activities regarding the progress of education we are frequently encouraged by the presence of UNESCO: this was the case at the Meeting of Soviet and African Women in Tashkent and at the Seminar held in Dakar in November 1962 on the struggle against illiteracy in Africa. The question of adult education is of wide interest. The WIDF has participated in several meetings === [PDF page 16] === organised on this subject by UNESCO, notably in England in April 1959. At the present time the WIDF is considering an official request to cooperate with UNESCO on this important question. We think that this request deserves very careful consideration and that we should seriously investigate the form of our cooperation. I wish to greet the presence of Mr. Hercik, in charge of education Services, who represents UNESCO here as an observer. By holding certain meetings on _ the different continents the WIDF obtains an insight into the conditions of life of women living there, and becomes acquainted with their difficulties and their activities. These meetings are helping tc reinforce contacts between women of different parts of the world. That is why the WIDF accepted the invitation of the important Tndonesian organization GER- WANI to hold a Bureau Meeting at Djakarta in 1960. That is why it was very happy to be able to hold a Bureau Meeting in Bamako in Mali in January 1962, in which twelwe African countries took part. We have very vivid memories of these fruitful meetings. Representatives of the Bureau and the Secretariat had opportunities to visit Africa, Japan, Cuba, Australia and America, etc... Personally I have very wonderful memories of the Congress of Women in Latin America at Santiago de Chile in December 1959. On the spot I obtained a better understanding than I would otherwise have been able to of the economic oppression on the one hand, which weights down upon the whole of Latin America, and on the other hand of the hope roused in the hearts of the peoples of this continent by the heroic liberation of the Cuban people under the leadership of Fidel Castro. Since 1958 the WIDF has given solidarity and support to women fighting for the national independence of their countries in Asia, Airica and America. It joyfully welcomed the liberation of 26 African countries, of Cyprus, Trinidad and Jamaica. In 1961 Goa was returned to India and in 1963 West Irian was returned to Indonesia. The admission of these countries to UNO has already brought about positive changes. But it is still quite certain that UNO will not be truly representative as long as a large country such as the People’s Republic of China is not accorded its due place as a member. We also give full solidarity and support to the women for whom the hour of liberation has not yet struck and who are still suffering from the brutality of racism, colonialism and imperialism, as in South Africa, Angola and South Vietnam. Is it not monstrous that people should have to fight to win their right to independence, recognised by the United Nations Charter since 1945, and that a resolution of the UN General Assembly demanding that independence be granted to the colonial countries and peoples should still not have been put into effect although it was agreed 15 === [PDF page 17] === 16 to in 1960 by almost all countries? One of the hardest and most heroic struggles was undoubtedly the struggle of the Algerian people for independence, a struggle in which the Algerian women in large numbers so courageously took part. The names of their heroines have gone down in history. We think with infinite sorrow of all the deaths, all the misery and all the destruction caused by this long war. Mankind, able to give birth to so many good people, can unfortunately also produce beings who do not recoil from any degrading act. Abuse of force leads to the worst excesses. We have seen this throughout history but we could not believe that the tortures of the Middle Ages could be practised in our times. Alas! They have even made use of progress in technology. To our sisters in Algeria, whom we have always supported through our active friendship, we express our sorrow for the evils they have suffered, our joy in their victory and our confidence in the future they will build for their children. May all our sisters in Spain, Greece, Portugal, Iraq and so many other countries of the Middle East and Latin America, imprisoned and opressed, who now see their children only from time to time and through their prison bars and all the Negro people humiliated and mistreated in many American States know that we will never cease to declare our indignation and to demand amnesty for all the patriots cruelly deprived of their liberties and sometimes murdered, as Julian Grimau recently was. Dear friends, the more numerous and united we are in our diversity in demanding justice, the better chance we have of suceeding. It is our sacred duty to support all the victims of oppression with our solidarity. We have another sacred duty ~ to speed the coming of peace by working with all our strength to bring about general and controlled disarmament. How can a mother resign herself to the terrible waste of lives caused by atomic war? How can a woman who goes to so much trouble to feed her family agree to the wealth of her country being swallowed up in the manufacture of costly arms constantly being replaced? General disarmament would be of the greatest advantage to all women of all countries, the economically most advanced as well as the newly independent. It is the pessession of arms that makes oppression possible - disarmament would ensure the independence of all peoples. It would enable the use of all the wealth of the earth for the good of man. “The final report of the Conference of Heads of government of the African States in Addis-Ababa, May 15-25, 1963, on the development of education in Africa, declared that to institute a programme of education in the dif ferent African countries it would be necessary to invest an average of 450 to 1,000 million dollars 4 === [PDF page 18] === year until 1970 or less than 1 per cent of the funds devoted to the ( works of death.” “with 120 thousand million dol- Jars a radical technical and eco- ‘nomic transformation of Africa could be carried out. With 1 per cent of the world military expenditure more than 100 universities could be built and equipped in the countries lacking engineers ‘and technicians. In the space of 25 years the states would make a total profit of 3,000,000 million dollars from general and total disarmament. This sum would be ‘approximately equal to the total value of the wealth accumulated up to now through the work of ‘man throughout the world for ‘millions of years.” To guarantee lasting peace and stop this senseless waste the WIDF since its creation has acted to bring women together. I would like to recall here the many women’s campaigns for ice undertaken throughout the world since our Vienna Congress. T shall not speak in detail here of the activities of each national organization belonging to the WIDF; the organizations are present here and will speak of them themselves. I would like to mention the actions initiated by the WIDF on an international scale or those in which it has taken part. In Kungalv, in Sweden, near Géteborg, in December 1959, the Federation convened an International Assembly of Women for Disarmament which led to happy contacts despite a very brief preparation. But the most important thing initiated by the WIDF for disarmament since its last Congress was the World Gathering of Women in Vienna in March 1962. More than 300 women from 59 countries representing all the continents met there. The main aim of this World Gathering was to permit women belonging to different organizations and movements to compare ideas and to study the points on which it is possible to reach agreement. International women’s organizations like the International Women’s League for Peace and Freedom, the American Women Strike for Peace, the Voice of Women in Canada, sent observers. The success of the Vienna Gathering made many women want to meet again and the WIDF, in this same year of 1962, sent a delegate to the Congress of the International Women’s League for Peace and Freedom in San Francisco, the main theme of which was disarmament, and an observer to take part in an individual capacity in the Women’s Conference in Montreal which was also concerned with disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear tests. The Federation took part in several meetings of women of the European countries on the theme “The Responsibility of Women in the Atomic Age” first at Brunate in July 1959, and then at Salzburg in October 1960. The need to avert the threat of atomic war has led the WIDF to send one or more delegates each 17 === [PDF page 19] === 18 year to the Conferences against A and H Bombs held in Japan on August 6, the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. In the last four years, we have also seen the women’s desire for peace affirmed at national or regional meetings, noteworthy among which has been “Baltic Week”, each year at Rostock. Many other organizations have also acted for peace and we are happy to welcome the representatives of certain organizations to this Congress. We hope it will lead to increasingly fruitful collaboration. These initiatives have taken on different aspects depending on the country. In Great Britain and the United States of America, for example, the nuclear danger has taken first place because the next world war could only be a nuclear war and would cause the death of a major part of humanity and its preparation alone is very dangerous for the whole world and particularly for the health of children. This explains the participation of women in spectacular protest marches repeated on a greater scale from year to year in Great Britain, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, etc. In 1963 women of all religions from America and Europe were received by Pope John XXIII and were encouraged to work more actively than ever to bring about disarmament. One must not forget either the courageous initiative of women in the “Strike for Peace” which has developed in many cities of the United States of America. American women who have not experienced the horrors of war at home, have understood, witnessing the construction of so many concrete shelters in their country, that an atomic war would be a threat to them and that they must unite regardless of opinion, religion or social status to prevent it from being unleashed. This movement has disturbed the American authorities, and Dagmar Wilson and some others of her companions have had to ap before the Un-American Actiy Committee. But the firm and solute stand of the most ord women confounded the who dismissed all the a against them. They remained fr The WIDF, which has clos collaborated with the World Pea Council since its foundation, many of the women’s orgai tions which have taken the abo mentioned initiatives, participate in the great World Congress f Peace and Disarmament a ye ago in Moscow. Women made t more than a third of the pa pants at this Congress. They can together and launched an appea to the women of the entire work calling on them to work con tely for disarmament through the world. There is no doubt that the more educated women are and the more conscious they are of their abili ties and their responsibilities, the better they will participate im mankind’s forward march. According to the conditions in its coum === [PDF page 20] === [Photograph: women delegates at a congress raising their fists, smiling] === [PDF page 21] === 20 try, each of our national organizations is working to win for women equality of rights in all spheres. Thus the important advancement of women, greeted as one of the most important social phenomena, has been achieved to different degrees. Certain organizations, as is the case in Argentina, Venezucla, Italy, Hungary, Indonesia, show great interest in the condition of life of the peasants and work energetically for its improvement. For others it is a question of wages and hours of work of industrial workers which is in the forefront, in Great Britain for instance. Everywhere women MPs — in Chile, Italy, Finland - demand creches for workers’ children. In France the struggle against the high cost of living and low wages is being intensively waged. But much remains to be done by us until women in the whole world pessess not only the right to equality, but until society gives them conditions of life which will allow them to make use of these rights and to fulfill completely their role as mothers, workers and citizens. What mother, what women’s organization could consider their task accomplished when two thirds of the children of the world are starving, when half of the childven of the world have no schools to go to and when, even in many of the economically advanced countries there is a shortage of places in the primary schools and an even greater shortage in technical schools and universities. How can one resign oneself to the fact that in numerous Western countries, higher education is to all intents and purposes inaccessible to the children of workers and peasants? The WIDF makes every effort to improve this state of affairs by active work of its national organizations and pacticipates in international meetings organized from time to time with the cooperation of UNO and UNESCO, as was the case in June 1961, in Rumania, the subject being “the stat of women in family law.” I should not like to finish short account of the activities of the WIDF without saying so thing about its Magazine “Women of the Whole World” and the part which it plays in informing wom en of all countries and in devel oping valuable links of friendship among them. Its interesting con tent and beautiful presentation made it worthy of receiving on of the first prizes at the Exhi bition of Women’s Magazines organized in April 1962 in Rome by the “Italian League for the Moral, Social and Legal Protection Women”. Those, dear friends, were the main activities of the WIDF since its Congress in Vienna in 1958. The success achieved by the Meeting at Copenhagen for the 50th anniv versary of International Women’s Day in 1960, by the World Ga thering of Women for Disarmament in 1962, and the success of this Congress, proved by the gre@ number of participants, shows === [PDF page 22] === that its work and its co-operation have been appreciated by an ever growing number of organizations and personalities. This is a very great encouragement for our organization. And now, what are its perspec tives? Its essential aim remains the same: to preserve its character as a great family where every woman finds the comfort of friendship and solidarity of other women in the search for the solution of all the problems which interest women as women, that is to say as mothers and citizens. Of course the task is difficult in the rapidly changing world in which we live which brings together women at very different levels of this evolution. But it is an essentially necessary task. Naturally, the newly liberated continents think it their first task to bring about unity at home. But they know well that they cannot live in isolation and that they must have constant contacts with the other continents. Thus the problems of the women of America become clearer when they are confronted with those of the women of Europe, Asia or Africa. Understanding, fraternal help and emulation are able to advance these problems in their entirety much more quickly than if they were tackled in an artificial isolation, continent by continent. Apart from its own special activities which form its unique character, the WIDF shall continue to take the initiative in organising Days of Study on particular points of its work, for example on the participation of women in the political life of their countries or on the vocational training of their children etc. etc., and in inviting personalities or other organizations interested in this question to take part. The WIDF will participate in meetings at the invitation of other organizations. This will be very fruitful. I think also that the moment has come for the WIDF to work in closer co-operation with UNESCO as we have many points of common interest. More precise projects for future activities of the WIDF, taking into account the present world situation which I have recalled at the beginning of this report, will come out of this Congress after the participants have heard the reports on “the struggle for the rights of women in society and the family’ which will be presented by Madame Ana Matera of Italy; on “women for peace, disarmament and friendship among peoples” which will be presented by Mrs. Fuki Kushida from Japan; on “the struggle of women for national] indepedence” which will be presendet by Mme. Aoua Keita from Mali; and on “the health, education and training of children and youth” which will be presented by Mme. Vilma Espin de Castro from Cuba, and after the discussion of the reports at the plenary session as well as in the four corresponding commissions. As you know, a fifth Commission will deal with questions affecting === [PDF page 23] === bathe WIDF and its programme of activities until’the next Congress. Several national organization have made known to the Bureau their conception of the character of the WIDF. It will certainly be very interesting to have a first discussion on this subject in this Commission, but the importance of the question will surely deserve a further deep study after consultation with all national organizations. Perhaps this Congress will take the initiative of launching an appeal. Dear friends, the work of this Congress, inspired by the magnificent exploit of Valentina Tereshkova, will imbue all the delegates with the feeling that woman is able to participate in all fields in buildings a great future open to all peoples today. Each of us can make a contribution to the building of the future if like Valentina Tereshkova, she devotes all her energies to the service of an ideal, whether it be a religious or a political one, or simply corresponds with her faith in the unlimited possibilities of man. However, another lesson can be drawn from the double flight of Valentina Tereshkova and Valeri Bykovsky: namely the same confidence in man and woman to carry out the same courageous, scientific and human mission. This entirely corresponds to the great ambition we have within the WIDF. We want to prepare troughout the world the coming of tomorrow’s woman, who does not want to lose any of her beauty or sensitiveness, but wants to be equal to man in the family, in the field of work as well as in public life with the aim of preparing a peaceful world for children in which they can freely develop and surpass our hopes. Dear friends, for the succes of this great task, let us unite in greater numbers and in a more resolute way so that the present meeting may mark a decisive step in the history of the world movement of women towards unity. Long live the World Congress of Women! Long live the Women’s International Democratic Federation! Long live Peace! === [PDF page 24] === Since the foundation of the Federation, one of the fundamental tasks of this organization has been the demand for social, civil and political rights for women. The Federation is thus the spokesman, on a world scale, of an immense movement of women in all countries towards a goal of historical importance. This goal is the complete liberation of one half of the human race which has been kept for centuries in a state of inferiority. This situation has resulted in a huge loss of energy and deprived mankind of much social wealth. A world built by both men and women would lead to a peaceful and well-balanced society. The joint flight of a man and a woman in outer space shows clearly how far society has already gone and what The struggle for Women’s rights in society and the family presented by Mrs. ANA MATERA, Italy, member of the presidium of the Union of Italian Women enormous successes women can achieve in all fields of human activity. The present epoch is characterized by the democratic awakening of the masses who, in all countries of the world, are fighting in their various ways for even higher achievements. There is no doubt as to the outcome of this fight. There are, however, a great number of obstacles and difficulties to be overcome. We know that the struggle of humanity towards ever higher levels is not uniform, but it is equally clear that the peoples of the world will not be stopped in their advance. In this lies the essence of our confidence. The emancipation of women is one of the most important problems of modern times and reflects the level 23 === [PDF page 25] === 24 of development in the various societies. Of course, to attain emancipation is difficult because it involves fighting a double discrimination — discrimination against the masses in general and that against women in particular. In many national constitutions and among the universal rights acknowledged by the United Nations, equality of political and civil rights has been proclaimed. But the law does not everywhere acknowledge this equality. Even in countries where equality of rights in proclaimed by law, social and economic conditions often prevent its realisation. Women are well aware of what is at stake. In Italy, for example, women know that unless they remain alert and militant, the law will not be observed and no one will take the responsibility of putting it into practice. Therefore women advance the struggle for such conditions as permit the free development of women in society and in the family. This decisive struggle is a vital contribution to progress and democracy in the world. The emancipation of women is not just a question of legistlation; it is not even a question of equality of rights. It is perfectly clear that, due to the characteristic feature of women‘s personality, the subordinate status of women is not the same as the subordinate status of men. It is a very special problem which can only be solved through deep changes in society. Any objection to such a view means no less than to justify discrimination which is a heavy burden for the whole of society. It is not accidental that the most degrading conditions for women exist in the countries where colonial oppression and racial discrimination prevail. In these countries the women today still find themselves in a situation where traditional slavery, often sanctioned in law, deny them the right to education, to raise their cultural level and to develop their personalities. A great example for women all over the world has been given us in recent years by the masses of women in the countries which have recently acquired national independence. The Afro-Asian Women’s Conference have shown us how quickly it is possible to advance along the path of progress after a hard struggle against oppression. Women are aware that they can advance only within framework of national independent which encourages them to be in fore-front of the struggle for lib tion. In the countries with capitalist e nomies where women play a considerable role in the economic and social fields, they are inspired to struggle for more advanced goals which lead to economic, civil and political developments. These are problems of social security, services, economic plans, the modernisation of agriculture, normalisation of the market, revision of family legislation and the system of education. In the socialist countries the high status of women is commonly recognised, It is well known that there women play a large part in all bran ches of economic, social and cultural life. This does not mean that there are no women’s problems. New conditions have brought new problems, such as the full extension of their capacities and possibilities as welll as the strengthening of their selfconfidence. It is also necessary t© further improve their professional qualifications and to accelerate the process of liberating women from excessive domestic burdens. === [PDF page 26] === The problem of emancipation is therefore world wide, although it develops in different ways depending on the level of achievements. It js universal and concerns women as such, whatever their political opinion or religious creed. It is a struggle in which any woman can take part and which contributes in its turn in an original manner to the general struggle for democratic progress. In all countries the presence of women’s associations means democratic progress, since it enriches the social pattern. And because numerous associations of many countries meet in the WIDF, the latter acquires an important function in representing and expressing the aspirations which unite the women of the world. It testifies on the international level to the importance and vigour of a world women’s movement which places and maintains itself in the vanguard of the struggle for democracy, progress and peace. It is a Federation in which each organisation and each national group can find an enrichment of its experience, an opportunity for exchanges, a stimulus to its own activities and the opportunity to overcome every historical, political or ethnological barrier. Every association, whatever its national policy, thus frees itself from isolation and attains in this way perspectives as vast as the world. At the same time there are several national and international associations which, by other means and perhaps with another view of historical reality, are likewise working to win women’s rights. Cooperation is always possible and must always be sought. All progress requires unity, and truth needs discussion. The Copenhagen meeting on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of International Women’s Day was a_ promising approach between various organizations with different origins, characters and ideology. Such cooperation should also be amplified in order to permit women’s organizations to advance proposals in a most efficient manner before UNO, UNESCO, FAO, UNICEF and ILO. That is what we expect of this great Congress, after which, by way of extensive discussion, not only the associations alone but the Federation itself will be strengthened by clearer ideas and new methods of work. It is the policy of international cooperation among women, and the fight for the emancipation of the masses of women organised in each country, that will enable us to see, from a particular point of view the great problem of our time: the problem of peaceful coexitence, and to contribute with new forces to its solution. We consider the struggle for the rights of women as a task for today, as something valid for the present and future, for the less advanced countries as much as for the more advanced ones. So women contribute in their own independent and original way to the general democratic struggle. Without a doubt their action becomes integrated with the activity of other forces working in the direction of progress, liberty, democracy and peace. One should not demand of the different national associations a unity of orientation as regards character, ends, methods and activities. One should not operate in an abstract way; nor can one neglect the urgent problems of the moment. It is clear for example that in the fire of certain situations, like that in Algeria some years ago, like that in Spain and Portugal, in Greece, Angola, Iraq, Venezuela, South-East Asia and other areas ravaged by the most brutal 25 === [PDF page 27] === 26 oppression and racial discrimination, the immediate goal absorbs all available energy. But it is only in appearance that this seems to retard the solution of the problems which touch us; in fighting against oppression and discrimination women are also fighting against the special discrimination of which they are the victims. There are, all the same, fundamental problems to which women of the whole world and of all conditions demand an answer: these are problems of women’s rights and problems of practical life connected with the fundamental rights of man. In our Congress in Copenhagen in 1953 we had already made clear the fundamental rights of woman — as a human being, mother, worker, and citizen. In 1960, again in Copenhagen, the “Charter of Rights’ was adopted by the most immense assembly of women which the world had seen. What progress has been achieved during these last years? I haven‘t the time here to bring forward all the data which has come in to us from all countries; this is data which reflects the experiences of several years of struggle and conquests of great importance — even if they are not comparable to the efforts expended. We will listen with the greatest interest to the data, more complete than that possessed by the WIDE, which will be brought forward by the delegates of the various countries; in every report, however brief it may be, one sees the results of action and will. We can restrict ourselves here to drawing certain general conclusions from a comparative examination of this data, of the results of the congresses and assemblies of women of the various countries, of the discussions which are going on currently on an international and national scale, in women’s associations and groups. The Right to Work. The right to work is an inalienable right of the human personality, including that of women. It is a question of the right to creative expression and participation in the production of the wealth of the community. Today this is a right which has been achieved. The entry on a massive scale of women into production and into the professions, at all levels and in all spheres, is a characteristic phenomenon of our time; it is not only the result of certain objective factors (new production techniques and mass consumption) but itself a very important subjective factor. Women represent today '/; of the workers the world over. Their activities embrace ever new professions demanding higher qualifications. The right to work is being demanded more and more by women, not only as an economic necessity, but also as a source of freedom. In our opinion this is a phenomenon which is here to stay; not that it is destined to advance with continuity and uniformity (in many countries the economic and social conditions are a real obstacle to this expansion), but in the sense that in the consciousness of woman the awareness of the necessity and the value of her work is bound to develop and become clearer. It is unnecessary in our opinion to underline the great liberating force which arises out of the consciousness — of the right to work and the will to struggle for its recognition and its satisfaction. It is a question of a democratic struggle which ends by coming into contradiction with ina dequate economic and social condi tions and by imposing new conditions which correspond to three ty” pes of demands — === [PDF page 28] === [Photograph: three young women delegates seated in a congress hall, one with long braids; page number at lower right] === [PDF page 29] === 28 1) the employment of all the available labour power both masculine and feminine; 2) production for the satisfaction of the community, beginning with the most fundamental needs; 3) giving to the workers the opportunity to participate in planning and directing the productive process. In saying this we are well aware that this means the inclusion of more than half of the population with equal rights in social life. This is a revolutionary principle. Conservatives of all types know this well; with their false discourses on the nature of women they intend to confine her to a domestic life and to prevent her advance towards emancipation. This is true not only for those countries which are the most backward and where the very beginnings have to be made, it is also true for those advanced capitalist countries where the contradictions become sharper every day, where modern sectors of production can coexist with sectors characterised by a vast section of badly paid workers (particularly in the countryside) or even of unpaid labour such as domestic work. It is true that full employment is possible only on the basis of a modern and complex structure, and that, for the vast majority of mankind, the struggle to avoid starvation is still the first phase of the fight. But it is also true that in proclaiming the right to work women do not pose a theoretical problem connected only with the backward countries, they take into consideration two facts which are equally important and current: 1) in the new world situation the general rhythm of progress and of advance in each country is more rapid that in the past; 2) to propose and demand the full employment of the forces of labour including that of women, to assure full protection for women workers, is an objective factor which advances and quickens economic development by leading it towards progressive aims. We consider the demand for the right to work very important because we believe that it is labour which gives significance and value to life and makes freedom a reality; certain disagreements on the real position of woman, be it in the family or in production, have been to a great extent overcome, even in Catholic countries, and have been liquidated by the reality of our time. However, the question of work outside the home must be considered not only as a statement of principle but in its real context; and thus it is connected to-a whole series of other problems which also make up the substance of the struggle of emancipation; the value of labour performed (and as a consequence equality of wages and social security); the quantity of work performed (hours of work, work tempo) training for work and relative qualifications (general education and vocational training, single levels of qualification, access to all training, to all careers at all levels), to abolish all measures of discrimination limiting the right of women to work such as dismissal in case of marriage. The very important question of equality of wages has been the subject of great struggles in many countries of the world, It is on this question that the women’s organizations, trade unions and mass organizations have taken a sharper stand. The workers have understood that discrimination against women harms them, and after some hesitation caused by === [PDF page 30] === Jack of understanding, they have begun to give active help. In fact, the poorly paid women workers were a reserve of very useful cheap labour to the employer and served to keep a system of low wages in force. In a note on this question sent by our Federation on March 13th, 1962, to the President of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, we proposed that all countries which had ratified Convention 100 of the ILO, should be urged to set up a commission to see to its implementation; we also proposed to the Social and Economic Council of the UN that they hold seminars to study problems concerning women’s work in the countryside and especially for the recognition of their labour. The activities of women’s and trade union organizations should not only aim at maintaining but at amplifying the rights of working women. With regard to peasant women this activity will be characterised by very different features. The value of their work, like the right to own land, is not recognised in numerous countries which maintain outdated laws and semi-feudal customs in the countryside. We are happy to note the increased awareness of the women in the countryside of their right to enjoy the achievements acquired by other workers. The work of the peasant woman should be recognised according to its full value, so that she might enjoy the results of her labour and obtain the same protection as all other working women. Wherever the peasant woman is deprived of her right to own the property on which she toils, she struggles side by side with men in order to obtain equal rights. We are conscious of the fact that full employment of women raises specific problems for society which are not raised by men’s labour. Let us turn to a problem which is most urgent for the working mother: to harmonise her domestic work with her outside job so that she is not crushed by a double burden and forced to renounce all her personal rights; the right to culture, to amusement, to rest. Domestic work should progressively become less of a burden. This should be done through an organization of services which should be public institutions. Because, if the whole of society is called upon to furnish everything necessary for women, for working mothers, a substantial revolution would result within advanced and less advanced systems of private economy. Moreover, the social services which ought to replace the traditional domestic toil of the woman by more modern methods, will demand big investments at the expense of the state budget. It is natural that women demand that the money destined for war purposes and speculation should be used for purposes of civilisation (creches, free transport, laundries, etc.). The interests of women, which are identical with the interests of the family and of children, even in the field of labour, become the means of a harmonious development towards a new and more just society. We have seen here in Moscow the new housing districts built with an eye to the needs of workers’ families; detached houses separated from each other by green belts, These houses are provided with creches, schools, laundries, restaurants etc. These are examples which demonstrate to us that it is possible and necessary to set up and develop continuously an organization to look after the needs of people instead of pretending that men, women and 29 === [PDF page 31] === 30 children can adapt and fit into conditions which degrade them to something less than human. It is the duty of all women and their organizations to struggle so that the social structures will become favourable and make possible the practical application of rights, first of which is the right to live our own life in the fullest sense of the term, in a manner most satisfactory and most useful to the individual and to society. The right to schooling is part of this fundamental right. A recent international conference organised by UNESCO in Rome on the very serious question of illiteracy, has shown that wherever illiteracy exists, the percentage of women who do not know how to read or write is larger than the percentage of men. But we were able to note during this conference that the strongest pressure for the struggle in favour of universal education, for both children and adults, stems especially from the women’s organizations. The whole world admires the extraordinary contribution of the women of Cuba in the national campaign for education. We must recall here the great success obtained by the organization of Chinese women in the field of adult education and the great effort that the women‘s organizations of India and of the other Asian and African countries are conducting. The example of Asian and African countries proves the immense progress accomplished by women in the field of education after liberation. The alphabet is but a first step on the road to culture. In fact, the creation of a school system which is free and open to all, with all the necessary equipment, is such a vast problem that it would demand the utilisation of a considerable part of the national revenues, which is only possible when we have a full consciousness of the returns to be expected from this. Also, the part of the national revenues raised by the State for the needs of the community must be large. A system of this kind must be based on the following rules: an 8 or 10 year compulsory education to be applied equally for everyone, except for some slight differences which might be useful in the last two years. Then a free choice by the pupils between the different perspectives: to continue studies or to enter production in which case a vocational education can be acquired which would qualify them for the type o productive work they are entering, depending on the technical and scigntific development of the period, Only in this way is it possible, as it is done today in the socialist countries, to recruit all the energy of youth according to their particular abilities and aptitudes and place them at the disposal of society. The principle that a qualified worker or technician is always an indispensible element to progress is valid today; and it is only right not to be saving in this field of investments which bring such a high return. Today this investment is no less important for women than for men. We think that cultural and professional training by permitting a higher qualification of women’s work will bring greater stability and perspective to the women who work. Therefore we can state that vocational education should equally prepare boys and girls for the kind of work which each prefers, once having obtained the general cultural and professional basis which will permit future choice, including access to higher studies, without which we would have once again a static school system in a static society. === [PDF page 32] === The family institution is different throughout the world, from the family established on the basis of complete equality of rights of the husband and wife — achieved in the socialist countries and also in the countries of Scandinavia and North America and in a few other countries with certain practical shadings — to the forms of enslavement of women and girls. We must note that the women’s movements, even in the face of very serious obstacles, have undertaken first of all to win for woman her dignity as wife and mother. Certain Asian and African countries have not yet abolished polygamy. It is therefore evident that in those countries women‘s organizations struggle to wipe out the shame of the harem and for the establishment of the monogamous family. But this struggle is not easy, even when certain results are quickly achieved. Economic and demographic reasons often are the cause of slow and gradual changes; sometimes even in spite of the justified impatience and human aspirations of the most advanced women. In other countries where the equality of rights of man and woman are recognised by law, custom and the mentality of the population force the women into a subordinate role; in still other countries the situation is even more advanced than the laws, which is the case for instance in Italy. But everywhere in the last 10 to 20 years the family has gone through remarkable changes; the hierarchic family, in which all members are submitted to a chief, “the pater familias”, is beginning to be replaced by the democratic family, a free association of equal persons, based on ties of affection. Certainly the awakening of the masses of women, their increasing participation in economic and social life and the actions of their organizations are very important factors which determine and accelerate the double process of change. On this important aspect of women’s emancipation, the WIDF, at the same time as the note mentioned previously, sent a second memorandum to the Commission on the Status of Women of the UN on March 13, 1962. We stressed there that according to the Napoleonic code of 1804, adopted by the European countries and numerous states of Latin America, and even of North America, the wife is strictly subordinate to her husband and cannot dispose of either her person or her property, that the children are solely under paternal authority and that the conditions for separation and divorce are not the same for both partners. Therefore the demand is placed for action, in the different countries, which would lead to changes in such backward laws and establish effective equality of the two married partners in the family in accordance with the new role undertaken by women in society and grant due respect to her inalienable rights, On this question the desire of women is to see the family change from an economic unit into a relationship of mutual affection, In all countries women have achieved great progress through closely united actions in the general struggle to win civil and political rights. It is enough to think of China where the thousands of years old slavery of women has been wiped out and which gives us the example of a country with full confidence in the capacity of women, even in her ability to give political leadership. Famous women occupy the posts of Ministers and Vice-President of the Council. In Ceylon there is a woman 31 === [PDF page 33] === [Photograph: delegates, some in kimono, seated in a congress hall listening] === [PDF page 34] === who, as Prime Minister, has proven to be a very wise leader. In India and Indonesia women are developing first rate action in all fields of civil and state organizations. In the socialist countries of Europe, in Israel, in the liberated countries of the Arab world and Africa women have been granted access to the highest public offices, a right which is gradually being extended in many western countries where women are taking over positions in the governments and the diplomatic services. But it is especially in the underdeveloped countries, particularly where the winning of national independence has come as a result of a heroic struggle for national liberation, that we note the impetuous advance of women to the practical affirmation of their full rights as citizens, In certain countries such as Algeria, the women who have been imprisoned or tortured, who have fought with great moral courage and where necessary with arms, have known how to impose a recognition of their full right to take part in political life. We are proud to salute this struggle and are happy to see that Algerian women are participating in building up their country with the same courage and will which was theirs during the difficult times. Unhappily, in other countries struggle must still go on to overcome many obstacles on the road of achieving full political rights. It is with deep emotion that we turn our thoughts to our friends of Iraq who are sacrificing their lives to show the women of their country, all women, the road to freedom and dignity. We also think of the women of Iran, who for scores of years have been active under the most difficult conditions trying to get their rights recognised and who are once again facing violent attacks from reaction. Think of the women of Latin America who, after having won victories, often have to face the suppression of their achievements through violence. But after having considered these examples, we should also mention the small and less known heroic struggles of women which take place every day in countries with old civilisations such as France and Italy where the rights won by the united struggle of women must be defended relentlessly. Today feminine masses are everywhere evident as a great force which can play an important role for the easier solution of the big problems that face humanity. We democratic women of different countries of the world have a very difficult task to perform, but one that arouses our enthusiasm, a task to which it is worthwhile devoting our energy: the task of achieving the maximum unity possible between the women of the whole world so that this great force can be liberated and become one of the factors acting for progress in the world. It is therefore necessary to free ourselves from the narrow viewpoint of party, religious or political faith with the aim of setting aside all that divides us and stressing with all our force, with all our power, what unites us so that we can advance together. In the name of the rights of women, in the name of democratic ideals and of peace, may our influence spread throughout the whole world. May it become a light shining in all hearts, an impulse to struggle and the faith which assures us of a better future. === [PDF page 35] === Struggle of Women for peace, disarmament and friendship between Peoples Presented by Mrs. FUKI KUSHIDA President of the Federation of Japanese Women’ Organization Iam very happy to have the honour of presenting the following report in the name of the Bureau of the WIDE. Madame Chairman, Dear friends, From a report in an American newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle, I recently read what a child asked her father: “Will you come for me, as soon as the bomb drops? Will you really come to school to help me?” What can an American father or mother reply to this question? The construction of shelters and air-raid exercises at schools have already caused such a deep feeling of insecurity among children. At U.S. military bases in Japan evacuation exercises are held in preparation for a nuclear war. Within a very short time after an alarm is given, families of the U.S. soldiers are trained to leave Japan in planes. But, what will await the Japanese women and children who will be left behind without shelters? This is not a problem which concerns only the American children or the Japanese women. It is due to the necessity to give deep consideration to such a fate facing women and children the world over that we have decided to take up the point on “The Struggle of Women for Peace, Disarmament and Friendship among Peoples” on the Agenda of our Congress. Dear friends, More frequently than before, planes carrying nuclear bombs fly over our heads, Submarines and aircraft carriers, equipped with nuclear weapons, are cruising the high seas. At present a nuclear bomb has an explosive power hundreds of times 35 === [PDF page 36] === 36 greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki. Taking into account the fact that the one bomb dropped on Hiroshima turned the city with a population of more than 300,000 into a ruin in one moment, no one can deny that a new world war, in which nuclears weapons will be used, would bring about immensely far grater calamities upon humanity than the previous world wars. The nuclear tests, which have so far been carried out, have increased radio-active fallout in the atmosphere, exerting harmful influences on the health and heredity of humanity. If a nuclear war breaks out, not only the present but also the coming generations would be seriously affected. It is quite natural that the question of preventing a nuclear war and defending world peace has now become the most urgent and important problem which directly affects the lives of thousands of millions of people throughout the world. UNITED, WOMEN CAN DEFEND PEACE Faced with incessant dangers and hardships in their lives, the peoples of all countries sincerely want peace and a decent life. Particularly women, who give life and nurture it, do not want future generations to face destruction and death, but to live in a blossoming and bright future, where no man will be hungry, all children will go to school, when all people on this earth will live a life worthy of man. We have to struggle to make peace a reality and we want to live now without fear and give all our strength to the aim of freeing mankind from the phantom of a new world war. Therefore it is quite natural that women are angry at the fact stated in the U. N. Report on Economic and Social Consequences of Disarmament of 1962, “... that the world is spending roughly 120 thousand million dollars annually on military expenditures at the present time (being the average from 1957-58.) Furthermore, the military expenditures increase year after year, imposing heavy burdens, such as high taxes and prices which particularly affect women, while insuring fabulous profits for magnates of war industry. As a part of war preparations, militarism is being revived in all aspects of social life in many countries. Attacks have been intensified upon fundamental human rights and the movements for peace and democracy are under severe repression. Militarists influence and control over education has also been strengthened. Women in these countries cannot overlook the harmful consequences which war-admiring literature and films have on the minds of children. Thus as the revival of militarism is being stepped up, cases of juvenile delinquincy are increasing. For example in Japan the number reached 1 million 60 thousand during these five years. The huge military expenditures should rather be used for the improvement of people’s lives, in the construction of houses, schools, hospitals, nurseries, maternity clinics, homes for old people, etc, The struggle of women for better lives, for their rights and children’s happiness, is closely linked with the struggle for peace and disarmament. Under these conditions, the most urgent task of these days is to re- === [PDF page 37] === move the danger of thermonuclear war. Therefore general and complete disarmament is the most sincere aspiration of the peoples of the world. Particularly in those countries where the government refuses to participate in disarmament talks and who step up nuclear armament and arms expansion, or in those which, while taking part in disarmament talks, try to prevent its success by putting various obstacles in the way, increasingly powerful campaigns are being waged in order to mobilise public opinion on the broadest scale and bring strong pressure on the respective governments for a change in their policy. This struggle is being waged in close connection with the struggle to demand that governments which stick to the “position of strength” and make it difficult to solve international disputes through negotiation, recognise peaceful coexistence between the states with different social and economic systems in accordance with the principle of mutual benefit and equality, territorial integrity, respect of national sovereignty and non-interference into the internal affairs of other countries, and solve international disputes not through armed conflicts but through negotiation. As the huge destructive power of nuclear weapons is widely recognised, mass actions are being stepped up, demanding the conclusion of an international agreement prohibiting the testing, use, manufacture and stockpiling of atomic weapons. Growing support is being given to the demand for even transitional or partial measures such as an agreement on a nuclear test ban as a step contributing to the relaxation of international tensions and opening the road towards general disarmament. An important step towards the lessening of the danger of the outbreak of a nuclear war is also the creation of denuclearised zones in different parts of the world: in Central Europe, in the Mediterranean, in the Balkans, and in Asia and the Pacific, in Africa, Latin America, Scandinavia, etc. Hundreds of millions of signatures were collected in reply to the Stockholm Appeal. The time has come when hundreds of thousands of actions in various forms should be organised in every country. The banning of atomic weapons would create the conditions for humanity to fully utilize atomic energy with its immense power for peaceful purposes and for the happiness of mankind. In those countries where foreign military bases are installed, and foreign troops stationed, people are seriously disturbed, not only by the threat to their daily life in various forms, but also by the encroachment of the sovereignty of their countries and the danger of being involved in nuclear war. Therefore, in these countries the campaign for the removal of foreign military bases and the withdrawal of foreign military troops is gaining momentum. The movement aims not only at the restoration of national sovereignty but also plays an important role in defending world peace, for realization of general disarmament and isolating the forces of war. Since the colonial territories which still remain in the world are used or can be used for nuclear war preparations and aggressive wars, the liberation of these colonies is of great significance to the consolidation of world peace. In this sense the great struggle for freedom in Angola, the Rhodesias, South Africa and other 37 === [PDF page 38] === 38 colonial countries in the world strengthen the cause of peace and are supported by the peace-loving peoples of the world. After the 2nd world war imperialism has suffered blow after blow from the great liberation movement in Asia and Africa, and many countries have won political independence. Between 1945 and 1962, 1,500 million persons freed themselves from the colonial yoke. Many of these countries refused to participate in military alliances and continue their struggle against imperialism and colonialism, These “non-aligned” countries play an important role in safeguarding world peace. In all these countries great vigilance is required against the manoeuvres and pressures of imperialism who seek to change their independent policies of peace and to rob them of their freedom through economic, cultural and political pressures. Resistance to these pressures is a struggle which strengthens peace. The national liberation struggle is closely related to the struggle for the defence of peace. Both are developing in mutual support. In others, the struggles for complete national independence, for the removal of foreign military bases and the withdrawal of troops, against aggressive military allliances, are an important composite part of the struggle for the consolidation of world peace and the achievement of general disarmament. On the other hand, the struggles for peace and disarmament, which are waged in various concrete forms in different countries, greatly help the struggle for national independence by isolating the imperialists who follow the policy of war and aggression, The socialist countries have consistently followed a policy of peaceful coexistence between the countries with different social systems and have made every effort for the relaxation of international tension and for the realisation of general disarmament. These countries have always demanded the solution of international disputes not by force but by negotiation. This helps the cause of world peace and sovereignty of peoples. The peace-loving peoples of the world, particularly the women, who wholeheartedly desire peace to secure a happy future for their children, enthusiastically welcome the proposal made by the Soviet Government for general and complete disarmament. They have been carrying on their struggle for its realisation in various forms in accordance with the conditions existing in different countries, and making every effort in order to contribute to the successful talks on disarmament. This, together with the efforts of other peace-loving forces, has already found great repercussions. Following the proposal made by the Polish Foreign Minister, Mr. Rapacki, the Presidents of some Latin American countries and Finland, as well as the Heads of the Governments of newly independent African States, who recently met in Addis Ababa, called for the establishment of atomfree zones. In his Encyclical, Pope John XXIII, wo died an few weeks ago, demanded the “stopping of the armament race”, “the parallel and simultaneous reduction of armaments now existing in the various countries, the banning of atomic weapons and finally disarmament carried out on the basis of joint agreement and accompanied with effective controls...” However, despite various constructive measures put forward at the General Disarmament Conference by === [PDF page 39] === the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, the disarmament talks have dragged on over the question of control and inspection, and no agreement on the cessation of nuclear tests has even yet been signed. The announced meeting of representatives of the Soviet Union, the United States of America and Great Britain on a high level next July in Moscow in order to try to arrive at an agreement on the total banning of nuclear tests is the result of the powerful pressure of the masses. This pressure should be strengthened to demand that such an agreement should be reached, that tests should be stopped as a step towards general and complete disarmament. This is also the case with the solution of the numerous question of international dispute. Here the mass struggle of the people and their organised strength are also needed in solving disputes through negotiation by demanding that the use of force be banned. Many difficulties and obstacles are placed in the way of achievement of these objectives. But the forces of peace have been strengthened through various struggles in all continents and if all these forces are united they are strong enough to put an end to the armaments race, avert a nuclear war, ensure peaceful coexistence and stop wars of aggression. This was clearly proved in the Caribbean just last October. It is owing to the determination of the Cuban people for the defense of their fatherland, the firm position and wise policy taken by the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in support of Cuba and the demonstration of solidarity in all its forms expressed by the peaceloving peoples of the world, particularly in Latin America, that an imminent danger of armed aggression against Cuba was removed and that a nuclear war was averted. However, since the danger of aggression against Cuba has not yet been completely eliminated, this solidarity should be further strengthened. This fact shows that people can contribute to the solution of international disputes. Peace is not a question that rests solely in the hands of statesmen. All of us can and must do something in defence of world peace. Dear Friends, This is particularly important since, despite the efforts and the devotion of the peace-loving peoples including many women, the danger of war still remains. We cannot overlook the fact that even at present, in some countries of our earth, danger of war exists, with human blood being shed and precious human lives sacrificed. In South Vietnam a so-called “undeclared war’ is being waged at this moment. Disregarding the Geneva Agreement, the United States government has dispatched tens of thousands of soldiers in order to support the dictatorship of Ngo Dhin Diem in the hope of crushing the struggle of the Vietnamese people for independence and freedom. It is reported that they have resorted to cruel methods of massacre by using toxic materials. This was pointed out in an open letter to President Kennedy from 62 intellectuals in the USA, including Dr. Linus Pauling. Unless an end is put to such an aggressive war, we cannot say that the world is really at peace. Not one year has passed since 14 countries signed an agreement in Geneva concerning the neutrality of Laos, thanks to the will of the peoples of the world. Now the situation in Laos is again in a state of crisis, 39 === [PDF page 40] === Gifts and souvenirs are exchanged. Armed conflicts, which broke out in the plain of Jarres, are aimed at driving a wedge into the Provisional National Union Government of Laos, which supports peace, national independence and neutrality. The United States Government has dispatched its armed forces to the frontiers of Thailand and its 7th Fleet has been put on the alert. U. S. atomic weapons have been brought into South Korea and the military fascists who were brought to power by a coup d’etat are clamouring for an invasion of North Korea. Talks are now going on between the governments of South Korea and Japan, paving the way towards the formation of a military alliance in North East Asia. The Chinese territory, Taiwan, is placed under the occupation of the United States, and Chiang Kai-Shek is clamouring for the invasion of the Chinese mainland, The Japanese territory, Okinawa, is separated from its homeland. Under United States occupation, it has been turned into the biggest nuclear war base in the Far East. In Japan more than 700 U.S. military bases have ben installed where military planes equipped with nuc- === [PDF page 41] === lear weapons have recently been dispatched. The danger of Japan being involved in a war is growing due to jts subordination to the United States. The military bases in Japan are used for aggression in South Vietnam and other Asian countries and the suppression of the people’s struggle for independence. The United States and other NATO powers maintain their military bases in the Middle East and African countries as well as in Latin America, bases which are used only for the repression of the national liberation movement but also for threatening peace in these parts of the world and increasing international tensions. In Europe U.S, nuclear rocket bases have been established in several countries under NATO treaties. The programme of providing West Germany with nuclear arms is being pushed forward. International tension over West Berlin has not yet lessened. This is clearly due to the policy of the governments of the U. §. and other Western powers which do not recognise the existence of the two German States and the necessity of concluding a peace treaty with them, as well as to the military revanchist policy of the Bonn government which does not even recognise the frontiers established after the 2nd World War. Under these circumstances, West Germany, together with Japan in Asia, could be turned into a hotbed of world war. U.S. strategists have devised a plan of sending a fleet of submarines equipped with Polaris missiles as movable bases which can hide themselves underwater anywhere in big oceans. Bases for the Polaris submarines have been established in Scotland, Iceland and the Azores Islands, and negotiations are going on in order to allow the submarines to visit Spain, Sicily, Cyprus, Malta, Aden, Japan and Australia, with a view to constructing bases in these countries. These nuclear war preparations are being stepped up under the pretext that they are necessary in order to counteract the threat of aggression. The women of the world should be very vigilant and not be deceived by war propaganda and draw correct judgments from the undeniable facts. In order to realise our wish to defend world peace, it is necessary to rally all those who desire peace into a struggle for peace and disarmament in its concrete forms. CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN TO THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE AND DISARMAMENT In accordance with the concrete conditions existing in different countries, women are making an important contribution to the struggle for peace and disarmament. Delegates from all countries will speak in detail of their experiences and the participation of women of their respective countries in this struggle. Therefore I would like to limit my report to the most outstanding examples. First of all, I would like to deal with the upsurge of the women’s peace struggle in the United States. The movement “Women Strike for Peace”, which was set up in autumn 1961, organized demonstrations against nuclear tests. At the time of the crisis over Cuba a group of American women observed a silent march in front of the White House under the slogan “Hands off Cuba’. Overcoming differences in religion and political opinions this campaign is developing in the face of all sorts of intimidation particularly by the Un-American Activities Committee and the F. B. I. In Canada the movement “Voice of === [PDF page 42] === 42 Women”, which was founded in 1960, demanded that the government become affiliated to the “non-atomic club”, whose creation was proposed by Sweden. It also demanded the conclusion of treaties on the prohibition of nuclear tests, action against propaganda for atom-bomb shelters, against the establishment of nuclear bases on Canadian territory. The movement of Australian women for peace and disarmament centres around protests regarding a planned United States naval base for polaris submarines and a base for U-2 planes, as well as action for a nuclear free zone in the Southern Hemisphere. In Britain many women joined the Aldermaston March under the slogan “Destroy Arms ~— Defend Peace”. Women in Scotland also took part in the struggle against a Polaris submarine base. In West Germany thousands of men, women and children participated in the Easter Marches against Atomic Armament. The appeal to women to struggle for disarmament and peace clearly emphasized the responsibility for the fact that West Germany is becoming the focus of international tension. Women in France played an important role in the fight for peace in Algeria, particularly noteworthy is the activity of soldiers’ mothers and solidarity with Algerian women was expressed in various forms. They also fight against the presence of West German bases and against West German militarism. They are opposing the policy of de Gaulle’s government which refuses to participate in the talks on disarmament and wishes to push forward nuclear armament in collaboration with West Germany. On the occasion of International Women’s Day they organised “Veillées de la Paix’ on the subject of disarmament. In Italy various mass actions took place demanding an end to nuclear testing and total and controlled disarmament, including a march for peace from Perugia to Assisi. The main characteristic of these actions was the participation of women’s organisations with different tendencies displaying their own initiatives. The women of Greece and Iceland actively struggle against American military bases in their respective countries. The women from the Baltic countries meet every year in the German Democratic Republic in order to celebrate Baltic Sea Week, carrying out their actions under the sl gan: “The Baltic Sea - a Sea of Peace”. Japanese women, who have experienced in the past the sufferings caused by the atom bomb explosions in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Bikini, by U.S. government, have played an active role in the mass movement for peace in their country. Women actively joined the struggle against the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty in 1960. Even conservative women’s organisations took part in the struggle. Japanese women are now fighting against American military bases, the Japan-South Korea Talks, and the visits of Polaris submarines to Japanese ports. Since Japan‘s subordination to the U.S. would be a direct cause of drawing Japan into war, Japanese women know that without winning complete independence for Japan, they are not free from the danger of war. As stated at the first Afro-Asian Women’s Conference in Cairo, January 1961, the common desire of Afro-Asian women is to contribute to the struggle against colonialism and imperialism, to defend and consolidate national independence, to strive for equal status among all nations, to participate in building === [PDF page 43] === janbreakable solidarity between the peoples of Asia and Africa, to fight jr total and complete disarma- ‘ment and to fight for the banning of nuclear weapons and the stopping of nuclear tests. In South Vietnam women are fighting for national independence, for an end to an aggressive war waged by American armed forces, rallying themselves around the National Liberation Front. The women in Korea demand the withdrawal of American forces which occupy the southern part of their country and the peaceful reunification of their country. The women of India, with the entire population, played a big part in accelerating the liberation of Goa, the last bastion of Portuguese imperialism in India, which was sometimes even used for NATO purposes. The Indonesian Women‘s Movement GERWANI actively contributed to the liberation of West Irian from the Dutch colonialists and helped in rebuffing the war plans launched by the U.S, and Dutch imperialists in this area. They are now taking part in large scale popular actions against the formation of Malaysia which endangers national independence and peace in South East Asia. Ceylonese women support the peaceful policy of the government headed by Mrs. Bandaranaike, the only woman prime minister in the world. African women have been struggling against foreign military bases in their countries and protesting against nuclear testing by the French government in the Sahara. With the consolidation of national independence of Algeria, which was won after long years of struggle, it is now becoming increasingly difficult for the French government to continue nuclear tests in the Sahara. In Cuba women stand side by side with men in the forefront of the struggle against the threat of aggression by the U.S. imperialists and for the defence of their fatherland. The support given to these heroic Cuban women by their sisters in Latin America and other parts of the world shows their deep understanding that the Cuban women’s struggle against aggression is also a fight for the defence and consolidation of world peace. The resolution of the Congress of Women of the Americas, which was held in Havana in January this year, shows that the women in Latin America connect their struggle for peace and disarmament with the struggle for national liberation. and for the defence of sovereignty. In Argentina the women, with their resolute actions, successfully prevented their sons being sent as soldiers overseas in order to help the aggression against Cuba. In Chile the women’s organisations which are grouped in the “Council of Mothers for Peace” have organised “Peace Days for Disarmament and Nuclear Test Ban”. Needless to say the women in the socialist countries are actively supporting the policy for peace, peaceful coexistence and disarmament taken by the governments of their countries. They actively participate in various international meetings and campaigns for peace, national independence, disarmament and friendship among nations, and express solidarity with the forces fighting for these aims. IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES AND TASKS IN THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE The struggle of the women of the world for peace, disarmament and 43 === [PDF page 44] === 44 friendship among peoples, which is developing in various concrete forms have the following immediate objectives: - the defence of world peace; against all wars of aggression (South Vietnam, Laos, Angola, etc.); against nuclear war (against naval bases for Polaris submarines, for removal of nuclear rocket bases on foreign soil, etc.); - an end to the arms race, and war preparations; the achievement of general and controlled disarmament, the resources thus liberated to be used for improving living standards; ~ an end to nuclear tests, the establishment of denuclearized zones (in Central Europe, Scandinavia, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, etc.); a ban on thermonuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, cessation of their manufacture, and the destruction of existing stocks; - cancellation of military treaties (NATO, SEATO, CENTO, U.S.-— Japan Security Treaty etc.); removal of foreign military bases and withdrawal of troops stationed on foreign soil; — peaceful coexistence between countries with different social systems, and in accordance with the principles which respect sovereignty and territorial integrity; — the peaceful solution of international differences by discussion and negotiation (conclusion of a German Peace Treaty and the solution of the West Berlin problem etc.); — economic, scientific and cultural cooperation between peoples on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. The WIDF has done everything in its power to support the struggles of women of all countries of the world for these aims. As Mme Cotton told us in her report, since the 4th Congress of our Federation, which met in Vienna in 1958, the WIDF has made a great contribution to the development among women in all countries of the struggle for peace and disarmament, against arms expansion and nuclear war preparations. On the basis of the solidarity formed in the women’s movement in all continents, the WIDF took the initiative in organising the Assembly commemorating the 50th anniversary of International Women’s Day in Copenhagen in 1960, and the World Gathering of Women for Disarmament in Vienna in 1962, in order to further broaden unity and fraternity among women. At the end of 1960, the Council of the WIDF which met in Warsaw celebrating the 15th anniversary of its foundation, drew lessons from its past activities for peace, and contributed to the advance of the struggle of the women of the world for peace, disarmament and national liberation. Not one session of the leading bodies of our Federation has ever left the struggle for peace and disarmament off its agenda. Our Federation can and must make a greater contribution to the advance of this important struggle. Among women, who constitute half of humanity, there are hundreds of millions who are still indifferent to the question of war or peace, or hesitate to take part in action although they sincerely desire peace. Our important task is to approach these women and persuade them with patience in order to draw them, irrespective of their ideological, religious and political differences, into joint actions with the peace-loving === [PDF page 45] === [Photograph: audience of delegates seated in rows in a large conference hall] === [PDF page 46] === 46 peoples of the world and to establish a broad unity for peace, disarmament and friendship among peoples. It is also very important for women in different countries to encourage and support each other in their struggles for peace and disarmament. The WIDF can make a great contribution to the organising of solidarity among the women of the world in order to put an end to aggressive wars in South Vietnam and other parts of the world. Another important task in the struggle for peace is to further improve mutual understanding and broaden the contacts between women in different countries and strengthen the links of friendship and solidarity. It is of great significance that in recent years various women’s conferences on continental levels such as European women’s conferences on different subjects with respect to peace, Afro-Asian Women’s conferences and the Congress of women of the Americas have been held. In order to strengthen friendship among peoples, irrespective of differences in social systems, it is very important to further promote exchange of experiences between different countries. In this respect we especially welcome various friendly contacts recently established between women in the United States and USSR. Through rendering full support to these efforts in order to further consolidate the unity of the women of the world, women can make a big contribution to safeguarding world peace, Dear friends, If the women, who constitute half of humanity, would be fully aware of their vocation of giving life and nourishing it, and go into action hand in hand, determinedly as defenders of life, there is no force in the world that can prevent their march forward. As we have seen, the world situation is developing increasingly in favour of the peace forces, and the forces of war and aggression are more and more retreating. Thus the fraternal unity of the for ces of peace, e. g. the socialist countries, the newly independent countries and the people of Asia, Africa and Latin America fighting against imperialism and old and new colonialism and the democratic forces in capitalist countries is a decisive factor in winning a victory in the struggle for the defence of peace. If the women throughout the world are mobilized in the struggle, tor gether with peace-loving peoples of the world against the imperialist forces, for peace and general disarmament, peace will surely triumph. By the united struggle of the peaceloving forces, we are achieving conditions for the preservation of peace, for the realisation of general and complete disarmament with full control, for the flourishing of friendship among the peoples. === [PDF page 47] === The struggle of Women for National Independence presented by Mrs. AQUA KEITA (Mali) Deputy to the National Assembly, Member of the National Political Bureau Madam President, dear friends, Through this important Congress, the women’s delegation of the Union Soudanaise which I have the honour to lead, is glad to convey to the millions of women whom you represent the wishes of complete success from all the women of the Republic of Mali. The leaders of my Party and the women of my country greatly appreciate the kind invitation from the Women's International Democratic Federation. So, on their behalf, on behalf of the Mali delegation and on my own behalf I extend our most sincere thanks and deep gratitude to the Federation. Allow me too, to extend the most friendly greetings of the Mali women to their Soviet sisters, to the valiant people of this great country, to their government and in particular to their far-sighted leader, I mean Premier Nikita Khrushchov. Dear participants, I would also like to heartfully thank and congratulate our Soviet friends and in particular the women of Moscow- first for their warm and friendly welcome for my delegation and then for all their efforts in organising this important Congress. Allow me also, in the name of the women of my country, to greet magnificent Valentina Tereshkova who has reached to the stars and thus won the admiration of the whole world. The prejudices existing among many people as regards the abilities of women have thus suddenly been overcome. Many heroines of science are enriching the history of nations. 47 === [PDF page 48] === 48 Today Valentina is a symbol, a symbol of the equality of full rights. Long live Valentina! Long live the country of her birth. The women of Mali too, also share in the joy at her achievement and the just pride of the Soviet people in general and of Soviet women in particular. Taking advantage of this opportunity I now have of speaking, I consider it my duty to express the gratitude of the Mali women to the representatives of those countries the high ranking officials of which form the international Lenin Peace Price Committee who have just awarded our Head of State, Modibo Keita, General Secretary of our Party, Union Soudanaise RDA, the Lenin Prize for the strengthening of peace among peoples. Strengthened by that support of world-wide significance, the Mali women congratulate women throughout the world who are struggling for peaceful coexistence, the only policy which pays. The Mali women are happy at the great honour and the token of sympathy which the Federation has shown to them in trusting them with the working out of the following report. The struggle of women for national independence is a subject of a very large scope and therefore it is out of the question to give you a complete and exhaustive study. However, I will try to put forward an objective analysis. For this purpose we shall first deal with the colonialist penetration, then we shall proceed to foreign rule and finally we shall analyse the liberation struggle of colonial peoples and the development of this struggle. For many generations all the oppressed peoples of Africa, Asia and South America have been waging an unrelenting struggle against colonialism and imperialism, in order to conquer their right to freedom and for the restoration of their dignity. Everybody knows that foreign penetration in Africa, Asia and South America took place in these continents despite the opposition of their population. You are also aware that in ancient times these continents possessed brilliant civilisations which it is needless to mention here. But for all that, colonisation was presented to the school-children of my generation (the schools being run by the French) as a work of generosity undertaken by the colonialising countries in order to bring light and happiness to the peoples of these backward countries. It was therefore, if we admit this logic, a highly humane enterprise, marked with the seal of the fraternity of races so dear to the hearts of the various religious sects. Yet the truth is completely different. Colonialism was essentially prompted by purely economic motives. As ‘Aime Cesaire said “Colonialism is a regime of insane exploitation of huge human masses, which is founded on violence and maintains itself only through violence’. In this attempt to define colonialism we note especially that it is through violence, through force, that entire peoples were reduced to the state of colonial peoples, and that it is through violence, through oppression, that such a state was maintained and still is in some countries of Africa, Asia and South America. The most fervent advocates of colonial action finally had to face the fact and admit that colonialism was a bad thing. Thus Albert Sarraut wrote the following in his ‘’Grandeurs et servitude coloniales’’: “Let us === [PDF page 49] === not try to be wily, let us not cheat. What is the use of concealing the truth? Colonialism at its beginning was not an act of civilisation. It was an act of force, of an interested force. It is an episode of the struggle for life, of the great vital competition, which from men to groups and from groups to nations, propagated itself throughout the world.” “The peoples who seek colonies in distant continents and seize them think only of themselves at the beginning, they work only for their power and conquer only for their own profit. In these colonies they desire new openings for trade or political bases. At the beginning of the adventure the idea of civilisation is not the moving force. Such thought, such spirit might be there, but it will never be the motivating force for the whole operation. By civilisation one means altruism, a generous intention to be useful to other people. At its origin colonialism is a umilateral selfish enterprise of personal interest imposed on the vanquished by the victors. Such is the truth of history.” Now that we have placed colonialism in its historical context and established that its essentials were above all economic, let us examine its various manifestations in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. Politically, colonialism is characterised by the complete alienation of the colonial man. Pre-existing structures were destroyed and the foreign invader generally retained only those which he needed to rule the country. No constitutional State was allowed, the administration, essentially repressive, was entirely at the service of the monopolies, and was composed of agents or second grade civil servants who had been given only the education necessary to ensure liaison between the foreign master and the wide masses of the population. Of course democratic liberties did not exist. Everything was as though the colonial country was the product of a spontaneous coming into being with the advent of colonialism, as though it had never existed and had never had its own history. The colonial man was an absolutely depersonalised and passive being considered almost as a thing in the hands of the coloniser who could do away with him according to his mood. He was sold on slave markets, used for hard labour and as a mercenary in all the wars to which the colonial powers were committed, Economically, the alienation was also complete, as the main motive of colonialisation, its impulse, was the search for profits. To achieve this end, it proceeded by despoilation, sometimes by plunder, taking over all that could help realise profit. The natives were deprived of their lands and the riches they contained. They were used as a labour force to produce almost exclusively in the interest of the coloniser and which could guarantee him maximum profit. There were no processing industries. The colony was, above all, a reserve of cheap raw materials, a market for the manufactured goods of the mother country. These goods were so expensive that they could not be bought by the peasants, who however formed 90", of the population. Salaries in the public and private sectors were roughly the same. All the tertiary sector was in the hands of foreign monopolies. The development of the country was hampered. Socially and culturally things were sparingly distributed to the colonised people. Health training and schools were enough for only a few people. Endemic diseases of the colonial pe- 49 === [PDF page 50] === 50 riod still exist largely while the rate of schooling is not over 10% for boys and 5", for girls in Black Africa. Illiteracy is still very great in our country and unfortunately women are its victims more often than men. Dear colleagues, as you see, the history of colonialism is very dark indeed! As already stated above, foreign penetration into Asia, Africa and South America took place despite the opposition of the populations of these continents. During the 17th century Queen Junga of Angola waged a fierce struggle of over 40 years against the Portuguese. According to a historian no leader was ever so audacious and obstinate, so clever and resolute as she. In the 19th century in Algeria, it was only after 18 years of desperate struggle that the invader managed to set foot on that part of Africa. Algerian women took an active part in the armed struggle against foreign occupation. In Dahomey the Amazons and priestesses fought against wind and tide to defend their country. In the particular case of Mali colonial conquest started in 1857 and ended in 1900. It came up against the desperate resistance of the population and the struggle was marked in many parts of the country by revolts against the oppressor. In those days the only arms of the men and women of my country was the will for liberty which later managed to triumph over the murderous arms of the foreign invader. The Mali women resolutely participated in this struggle against foreign penetration side by side with their brothers. The example of the women of Sikasso is well known to all Malians and to the invader. But despite all this fierce resistance, Africa was colonised as a whole by the imperialists. It was divided and tight barriers were set up between the various colonies in order to deprive the population of any possibility of regrouping. In order to maintain their domination the colonialists attempted to destroy all the traditional structures of the various African societies. Thus peoples were compelled to live under colonial oppression with all the suffering, deprivation and humiliation which goes with it. They underwent this policy of physical and moral enslavement and yet managed to survive famine and disease. During this painful occupation, which was but a period of destruction and ignorance for all our people, women lost the position they once held in some of our societies. They suffered most from the harassment and humiliations which were the lot of all our communities and which are still the lot of our brothers and sisters under foreign rule. The international situation after the Second World War, during which the forces of progress and peace triumphed over fascism, favoured the speeding up of the liberation of colonial people. After 1945, a wind of liberation swept over Africa, Asia and South America. India and China achieved their indepedence in 1947 and 1949 respectively. Then it was the turn of Vietnam and Indonesia. The important Bandung conference held in April 1955, which gathered together a great number of countries from Africa and Asia, played a decisive role. Asian women valiantly participated in the liberation struggle of their countries. === [PDF page 51] === Many of them directed armed struggle with great courage, farsightedness and success which enabled them to accede to higher posts, receive honours and obtain important positions in the leadership of their countries. Asian women, during the revolutions which took place on their continent, acted as heroes. The women of South Vietnam are still participating, under very difficult conditions, in all the struggles which their people are waging against the imperialists and their stooges, and thus constitute an important force for the liberation of their country. The women of Laos are tirelessly fighting side by side with their people for the strict application of the Geneva Agreements for the withdrawal of foreign bases, for safeguarding the independence, peace and neutrality of Laos. Dear friends, after these few words about Asia let us now take a glimpse at Latin America before coming to the African continent. Towards the end of the 19th century the peoples of Latin America liberated themselves from the domination of foreign powers thanks to a fierce struggle which lasted for many years and which was supported by the valiant women of that continent. But this political independence, so dearly won, has not yet borne fruit. In fact, a new form of enslavement, based on an economic foreign penetration now prevails which is infinitely more harmful and ~* adversely affects political affairs. Everybody knows that Latin America is a vast continent and a very rich continent, but unfortunately all these riches are in the hands of foreign monopolies, and the large masses of the population are left in destitution and ignorance. The peoples of South America are aware of this disastrous situation; that is why large revolutionary movements are organised everywhere in the countries with the participation of all conscious forces, men, women and children, the youth and the aged. The women of South America are effectively participating in all the struggles their people are waging for the economic development of their country and the respect of democratic liberties. Of all the countries of South America, Cuba is the only one which has won complete independence. The entire world followed with pride the heroic struggle of the Cuban people, the courage and self-sacrifice of the Cuban women who spared no effort to support, sometimes in difficult conditions, the political, economic and cultural liberation struggle of their country. In Latin America, in order to hold back the evolution of the liberation movements, repressive laws have been passed everywhere by a tiny group of undesirable men. The peoples are thus maintained in a state of enslavement by a cruel dictatorship which clamps down on all democratic liberties. Now, dear friends, you easily understand the deep regret of the Latin Americans to see their national independence and sovereignty seriously compromised by military pacts of which they do not approve. Dear friends, you see as I do that the women of Asia and South America are actively participating in the struggle against armed interference and intervention organised by the imperialists against their respective countries, against the brutal attacks by colonial troops and against exploitation and oppression. International action, the new rela- 51 === [PDF page 52] === [Photograph: two African women delegates smiling, one writing] === [PDF page 53] === tionship between the dying reactionary forces on the one hand and the progressive forces of the world on the other, the liberation of a great part of Asia, combined with the relentless struggle of national liberation movements are making possible a speedier breakdown of colonial empires and contribute to the determination of colonial peoples to rid themselves of all foreign domination. The women of Africa know that only national independence will permit them to attain their full development and provide the possibility of affirming their personality and being respected all the world over. Consequently, they have actively participated in the struggle for national independence and in defending the integrity of their states. It is precisely because of that participation that they have acquired a new role in the new society, thus making important progress compared with their previous conditions. In many countries, women assume high functions in public life. This was decisive for speeding up the emancipation of women on the one hand and for the development of the women’s movement in Africa on the other. On the African continent, the women’s movement was closely linked from the beginning with the struggle of the peoples against destitution and ignorance, against colonialism and imperialism and for national independence. The examples of the women of Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Upper Volta, Egypt, Tanganyika, Cameroons, Nigeria, Ivory Coast etc., are eloquent testimony. Whether these struggles are as violent as in Algeria or Kenya or as peaceful as in most of the countries of West Africa, they are always in compliance with history; they have always had the same goal: the liberation of Africa from the colonial yoke and her accession to true independence. My friends, African women realize that their liberation is closely linked with that of their people. That is why, in our vast continent, in spite of brutal oppression, humiliation and imprisonment, the women of Angola, of the so-called Portugese Guinea, of South Africa, of the Rhodesias and other parts of the continent are carrying on their struggle for freedom and justice. Some of them have fallen on battlefields or under oppression like M’Balia Camara, Djamila and so many other unnamed ones, fallen in every corner of Africa because of their love of freedom. These symbolic facts are in themselves an eternal monument to the important role the African woman has played in the struggle for the liberation of Africa. You see, in most of the countries which have achieved independence, women have been promoted to new positions, which enables them to play a more important role in national construction. This is also evidence that woman can play her full role in society only when her country is free and sovereign. As stated above, many countries of Africa, Asia and South America are now independent while unfortunately others of these continents are not. These peoples are still in the dark night of colonialist oppression, in spite of the decision of the 15th session of the U.N. General Assembly adopted on December 14, 1960, regarding the granting of independence to all colonial peoples. The colonial powers, despite the decision which was taken at the U.N. refuse to apply it pretending that the colonies are not yet ready for === [PDF page 54] === 54 self-government and independence. The U. N. General Assembly had forseen such baseless pretexts and had stipulated in a preamble that insufficient political, economic and social preparation must not in any case be used as an excuse to delay the granting of independence. Dear friends, I strongly appeal to this important World Congress of Women for active solidarity with all these peoples who are heroically struggling in difficult conditions, sometimes with arms in hand, for their freedom and their national independence. If the U.N. decision on the granting of independence to all colonial people has not yet become a fact in many countries, it is because the fundamental principles of the declaration of human rights are unheeded. The people of Africa, indignant at this obstinate refusal of the colonial powers to put into practice these resolutions of the U.N. have decided to do all necessary for the total liberation of their continent. Therefore African people greet with great satisfaction the meeting of the Heads of African States at Addis Ababa. They approve and support without reservations all the resolutions adopted at this Conference and especially the resolutions concerning the complete liquidation of colonialism in the territories of the African continent still under foreign domination. Extremely serious violationss of human rights and of democratic liberties take place in these countries with contempt for the U. N. Charter which they have endorsed and the principles which they have included in their national constitutions. Because of their attachment to the essential democratic liberties, leaders of women’s organisations of some countries are suffering from pitiless oppression which confines them in prison for long years. Continental conferences held in South America and Europe have expressed their concern and the protest of wide sections of world opinion at this dramatic situation. I request the Congress to salute and support the anticolonialist and anti-imperialist struggle of the peoples all over the world. Women from all continents supported and continue to support all the women suffering from oppression. The resolutions of this Congress, the spokesman of world women, must denounce all subversive actiy assassinations, acts of ag and piracy of the imp against these people. This Congress must also di the odious regime of Aparthei South Africa as well as acts of discrimination from which the groes of America are suffering. The women of Africa must p strongly against the insult to the honourable delegate of to the U.N., Miss Broocks, was tim in May 1963. It must als Republic of Liberia, one of the ol of independent African States. The liberation struggle must: waged at a high level and in ace dance with the decisions of the lk Afro-Asian conference; the W' and in particular Africa, must, b the end of 1963, do away with colonial system. Representatives of Asia, Africa South America from former col and under-developed countries, role consists in working hard to ganise all the women of our COP nents, to educate them so a awaken and increase their conscl0 ness, to fully develop their spirit # === [PDF page 55] === ‘national sacrifice, to mobilise them and to lead them to take a clear stand in the struggle for the political, economic and social liberation of our respective continents. Dear friends, the anti-colonialist struggle cannot and must not limit itself to the struggle against classical colonialism. It must be further reinforced and go on until the total and complete liquidation of imperialism is achieved. Political domination is a secondary aspect of colonialism. Economic domination is the colonialists greatest interest. Often, under the pressure of the great liberation movement, colonialists leave the front of the stage. They are never sincere when they claim to give independence out of the goodness of their hearts. They always bear in mind the idea of maintaining themselves under another cover. That is neo-colonialism which was clearly exposed during the Cairo Conference of 1961. It is neo-colonialism which organises, finances and keeps up subversive activities, trying to undermine the economic and social advance of the independent countries of Asia, Africa and South America, Neo-colonialism is that indirect and subtle domination in the political, economic, social and cultural, technical or military fields of newly independent countries. Like President Sekou Toure, I would say that “... Neo-colonialism is the liberty of the hen in the hen-roost and not the liberty of the hawk in the vast blue sky.” Fellow delegates, as you can see, this form of domination is not very different from the old one. It is more subtle, for it is practised under the cover of the sovereignty of the country which is its victim and often through apparently honourable agents. The appearance of neo-colonialism, which means the maintenance of colonialism in the conditions of national independence, is evidence once again that the anti-colonialist struggle cannot be definitely the victor without the complete liquidation of imperialism. For this purpose, women must all participate in the mobilisation of the national resources in order to raise the standard of living of our populations. It is universally known that the place of women in societies has been subject to various developments, as a function of the historical conditions of the moment, according to continents, civilisations and customs. According to the specific conditions of the environment, the different social organizations, varying from one country to another, have contributed without exception to strengthening social harmony and solidarity. They developed common characteristics between communities and consolidated internal equilibrium. In Africa, customs which prevailed and still prevail, relations between social categories, were in conformity, during the period of hand to mouth economy, with the laws and demands of evolution. It is in this light that the forms of organization attached to the matriarchate show the principle of equality which ruled social categories. If it is good. to recall that the matriarchate system enabled women, in many African societies, to play a social and even political role and that generally her participation in social life was equal to that of men, it is no less opportune to emphasize that foreign domination brought the impoverishment of our hard-working masses, and made of polygamy a 55 === [PDF page 56] === 56 new means of more odious exploitation. Indeed under the stick of foreign domination, the necessity to produce always more and more corresponded to the necessity to survive. This polygamy, as a factor of internal equilibrium of our communities, was replaced under the pressure and oppression of feudalism and later of colonial domination by polygamy as a means of production. Such a replacement did not happen without seriously damaging woman‘s social status, her economic and cultural role, in a word, her personality. Perfectly aware that their liberation was to be achieved first through the liberation of their country, African women actively participated in the struggle against colonialism. Consequently, like their sisters of Asia and South America, it is their prime duty to actively participate in the construction of their common motherland and in the historic rehabilitation of their peoples, African women, like their sisters in the world, are convinced that they must adapt themselves to the principles of peaceful coexistence based on respect of sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity in order to find adequate solutions to their great problems. They energetically protest against all nuclear tests, particularly against those carried out or planned on the African continent. The policy of many countries of Africa, Asia and South America which have achieved independence is based on complete democracy aimed at insuring the rapid evolution of the nation in complete harmony and social justice. Thanks to that progressive policy, women obtained many rights as I stated earlier, But we must not forget for one minute that with these rights go certain obligations which are imposed on us if we want our political liberty to be the instrument of our social liberation. The rapid evolution of our societies towards a greater economic growth will raise new social problems, the importance of which must not be overloocked by women. It is precisely for this reason that the organization and education of the women of our countries must be reinforced and specially adapted to the new conditions of our societies and to the demands of our evolution. The liberation phase which some countries of Africa, Asia, and South America have just gone through demanded, especially from us, courage, good will and dynamism, for we did not need a great political formation to fight against the colonial system, National liberty once conquered now requires from us a deeper understanding and knowledge of all the economic and social problems which our governments have to face. The extent to which we will be able to express our humble opinion as women dealing with the daily realities is the degree to which we will be useful partners to our responsible brothers. Therefore we must be conscious builders of our countries and full associates in our homes. Our economic action must be a militant action, that is, an action fully committed to progress, justice and social equality. It is only in these conditions that the result of the economic edification of our countries will be true progress and equality for man, woman, the young and the old. Dear friends, what we want and must solve is the problem of out social deficiencies. It is this problem === [PDF page 57] === Numerous artists shown here at work on the steps of the rostrum held an exhibition of their works, which was visited by numerous delegates. === [PDF page 58] === 58 which leads us to tackle the problems of our economic edification which requires also a greater participation and a more diversified use of women in the economic life of the nation. Indeed, in this world of technology, the whole population, men as well as women, must be prepared and mobilised so as to raise the production level for a better life. That is why African women must be concerned about the equality of girls and boys as well as about the development of professional education for both sexes in order that all the sections of technology be opened to youth without any discrimination whatsoever. Before I conclude, I feel it my duty to thank and congratulate the Women’s International Democratic Federation and, through this organization, the hundreds of millions of women who compose it for the unstinted support and active solidarity which they have always given and continue to give to the world freedom fighters in general and to the women of oppressed countries in particular. Dear participants, allow me to state here once again the guiding principles of the policy of international solidarity of the Mali people which the women of my country reaffirm every day with comrade Modibo Keita, Secretary General of the Union Soudanaise RDA and Head of the Mali State. “We do not judge the Powers in relation to their forces, but only according to the meaning they give to liberty. Our friends will be those who will oppose the domination of one people by another people, our friends will be those who will give their unstinted support to the liberation struggle waged by the oppressed peoples and who will not demand that we commit ourselves to such and such a line. We cooperate with all peoples, but especially with those who recognise our rights and the rights of men in all fields. We denounce and relentlessly fight neo-colonialism. We denounce and condemn imperialism because of its contempt for men and institutions that refuse to endorse its views. Our neutralism is not the one that stands by and looks at the burning home of our neighbour without reaction; likewise it is not that of a country which lets a strong power destroy another country. It is not that of “no opinion” on the crucial problem of disarmament. We will never be neutral in the face of the anti-colonialist struggle. O} stand is clear and without ambiguity we will help all the peoples strugg) ing to recover their freedom.” Dear participants, for the end of o| and new colonialism, for the econ mic, social and cultural developme! of our continents, for the respect democratic liberties and the saf guarding of the independence of o states, for equality between peoples in all fields and finally the happiness of our children in world of peace and prosperity, the women must do their very best: Long live the World Congre' of Women! Long live Peace in the World === [PDF page 59] === Dear friends of the whole world, The honour has been given to Cuba to present to this Congress the report on the question of the health, schooling and education of children and youth. We women of Cuba are very pleased to find ourselves in a Congress that brings together the representatives of women of all peoples who are struggling, women who are the personification of the concern and worry of mothers who aspire to security, peace and the well-being of the world in which their children will live tomorrow. We bring you from our country, where the cradles breathe faith and confidence in the future, the greetings of all our women: of our liberated peasant women, who today bend over the furrow, knowing that The health, schooling and education of children and youth Presented by Mrs. VILMA ESPIN DE CASTRO, President of the Federation of Cuban Women the crop they have planted will be theirs; of our young militia women who, gun in hand, are ready to defend the sovereignty of their homeland and its socialist revolution; of our working women who, already alongside men, now operate machines and tractors; of those who watch over health and education; doctors, teachers and students. For all of them, for all Cuban women who have joined hands in building the new Cuba, we embrace you fraternally. The joy of bringing up children is a feeling experienced by all women of all countries. All children of the world without distinction of race, sex, social or national origin have the following inalienable rights: to grow up under conditions ensuring their all round development, receiving an education 59 === [PDF page 60] === 60 which will permit them to acquire knowledge and develop their abilities so they can become useful members of society. This education should be free of charge. Children must not be subjected to exploitation and should in no case be considered as part of the working force. By interesting the child in the lives of all peoples, it should be brought up in a spirit of friendship and universal peace. But a quick glance at the actual situation of millions of children and young people in various countries shows us that the picture is tragically different from what it should For instance, take our Latin America with its 30 million children, half of whom do not attend school and with its 70 million illiterates. No one has shown this sombre picture with such sincerity and emotional impact as has our great leader Fidel Castro in the Second Havana Declaration. Here in his own words is what he had to say: “Latin America is a continent with a high birth rate, and also a very high death rate. In 11 countries, a few years ago, the death rate of children under one was 125 per 1,000, and in 17 others it was 90 per 1,000. But in 102 other countries of the world, this figure is only 51. In America, of every 1,000 children, 74 die pitifully, without any care, during the first year of their life. In certain Latin American countries, in certain places, this figure reaches 100 per 1,000; in America, thousands and thousands of children under 7 years of age die from unbelievable complaints: diarrhoea, pneumonia, undernourishment and hunger. In the hospitals thousands and thousands die from other complaints, without care or medicines; thousands and thousands wander about, the victims of endemic cretinism, malaria and trachoma, the results of contagion, shortages of water and other necessities. Ills of this nature are like a chain binding the countries of America where thousands upon thousands of children are in agony, offspring of pariahs, offspring of the poor and the small bourgeoisie whose life is hard and means are precarious. The statistics, which are not needed here, give one the shivers. In any official publication of international organizations, they can be found by the hundreds. As to education, just the thought of the level of ignorance from which this America suffers, is overwhelming. In the United States the population of 15 years and over has had 8 to 9 years of schooling on the aver- | age, while in Latin America, which they are draining and pillaging, the same age group averages only one year of schooling. And it is even more bitter to realise that in some countries only 20%) of the children between 4 and 14 are registered for school, and 60°) in the countries with the highest level. This means that over half of the children of Latin America don’t attend school, But the horror grows even worse when we realise that over 80°, of these registered school children are in the first 3 classes, and that in the 6th year, registration varies between 6 and 22%, of the total number of children who began the first year of studies. | Even in the countries that believe they are looking after their children, this percentage of lost students bet ween the 1st and 6th year is still i the vicinity of 73%. In Cuba before the revolution, it was 74%, In CO lombia of the “representative demo cracy”, it is 78%. And if we study the country schools specially, we se that barely 16%) of children — i? === [PDF page 61] === most cases — stay in school until the 5th year.” “When we inquire into this disastrous school absenteeism there is one single cause that explains all: the economy of misery, from which follows the lack of schools, of teachers, family resources, the children This same Declaration adds: “In other words, the nightmare that America is living through, from one end to the other, means that on this continent of almost 200 million human beings, two thirds of whom are Indians, mixed-bloods and _ blacks, “discriminated ones”, on this continent of semi-colonies, there dies from hunger, from curable diseases and premature old age, about 4 persons per minute, 5,500 per day, 2 million per year, 10 million every 5 years. These deaths could be easily prevented, but they are nevertheless a fact. Two thirds of the Latin American population lives but a short time, and all that under the shadow of death. This holocaust in 15 years has killed twice as many people as the 1914 war.” And what is the history of Latin America but that of Asia, Africa and Oceania? According to figures published by UNESCO in its pamphlet “Education and Progress in Asia, the Arab States and in Africa’, issued in 1961, in South Vietnam, Pakistan and Iran only 5 out of every 10 children have the opportunity to learn reading and writing. The average number of Asiatic children condemned to illiteracy is 5 out of 10; but in Afghanistan, Laos and Nepal this average climbs to 7 out of 10. What level of health, of education can be given for populations such as that of South Africa, where the natives live parked like animals, where children of 8 or 9 years of age are driven to work with a ring about their necks? Frightening ignominity in this 20th century when man is close to achieving his dream of flying to the moon! Just this fact breaks any woman‘s heart. What infinite pain for this African mother to see the sweet fruit of her womb mistreated, tortured, reviled and humiliated like an animal! These children’s hands that have never known a toy, they are the ones which, like those of the enslaved parents, dig out from the mines the riches of their own country from which only the foreign coloniser draws enjoyment and profit. Jack Woodis in his book “Africa, the Roots of Revolt’, states about the miserly salaries paid the African workers: “All those who daily receive a wage of 1 or 2 shillings, and that is the wage frequently paid to the employees of European farms in Africa — it does not matter whether they are from North America, Europe, Asia or Africa — would find themselves forced to live at such a low level that the proverbial daily handful of rice would no doubt be the main part of their food. The truth is that the workers do not live at such a level. They only exist until death comes to claim them. The average life span of 30 years and sometime less — not to mention the infant death rate which exceeds 100 per 1,000 — so common in Africa and Asia, shows how early death claims its victims among those underpaid and undernourished workers.” In the African continent, illiteracy reaches the frightening figure of 85%. In Angola, Mozambique, Basutoland, Nyassaland and “Portugese’’ Guinea, 99 persons out of 100 can neither read nor write. In Bechuanaland the figure comes almost to 100 %. Of 54 African countries only 10 have 61 === [PDF page 62] === 62 universities. The Congo (Leopoldville) came to its independence without a single doctor, teacher or engineer. In Angola out of five births only 1 child survives. In Gambia there is on doctor per 30,000 inhabitants and in Basutoland one for every 19,000. In the Sudan children between 5 and 14 make up 25"), of the labour force. This problem of child labour, harmful to the health, welfare and rights of the child, exists in Asia as well. In the Philippines, children leave school to go to work when they are scarcely 14 years old. In the Middle East the problem is worsening; in Iran and in Turkey, ten year old children work at the manufacture of carpets. UNESCO figures show that illiteracy increased in Turkey from 51.6 "/) for men and 79.3% for women in 1950 to 55.4% for men and 80.3%, for women in 1960. Algeria, closer to European civilisation, is nevertheless an illustration of what the colonialist powers have in store for subject peoples. When the heroic war of liberation against France ended, Algeria had 82%) of its population illiterate. This was the legacy to the Algerian people from colonialism. Facing an imminent loss of power through the war of liberation, the colonialists proposed to deprive the Algerian people of all that could help it in building a new life, including doctors and teachers. Today Algeria faces great obstacles and difficulties, but it has taken its destiny in its own hands and nothing can stop the victorious march to the future, supported by the fraternal solidarity of the peoples of the whole world. To lift the people’s health from the level where colonialism had left it is an important task, but a task that Algeria has already undertaken decisively supported by international solidarity, a moving example of which is the arrival of medical missions from different countries of the world and the holding of the European Conference of Friendship and Solidarity with the Algerian people in Algeria. But the African continent it today rising powerfully against the exploitation and enslavement endured for centuries... In all the countries which have freed themselves from foreign domination we can immediately note happy changes in the health and education of the people. For example in Nigeria, education is free in the primary schools and the girls now have more opportunity to attend secondary school because the network of schools has been extended, In many countries the main problem is to increase the number of girls attending school. For example in India, where primary education is free 72%) of the boys and 46%) of the girls go to school. Child labour is prohibited and vaccination campaigns against cholera and tuberculosis have been undertaken. In Ceylon health service is free, in the field of education primary school attendance has reached almost 100%) and secondary education has been extended, In the Democratic Republic of Vietnam the efforts of the Government have eliminated once incurable diseases such as cholera, small pox and leprosy. What a contrast to the situation in South Vietnam where the American armed forces are contaminating the water, and spray bacteria and chemicals over the countryside and the cities, which are harmful to the health and life of the people! Although it is not possible to compare the problems of the industrially developed countries with those of the === [PDF page 63] === underdeveloped countries the same problems exist there. In the Western European countries and in North America the general situation is as follows: Primary education is almost everywhere free and compulsory, but not always of the same quality and not all children of school age can attend primary school. In Portugal the situation is so grave that 44, of the population is illiterate, In many countries families with small incomes find it hard to provide their children with secondary and higher education and the percentage of workers’ and peasants’ children attending university is very low in all countries. Nevertheless, in Sweden the percentage is increasing. One of the aspects of the struggle of education in many countries is the demand for free university and technical school education so that more young people may benefit form it. Campaigns are also carried out against the shortages of teachers, schools, kindergartens and vocational schools for primary school graduates. Vocational training opportunities for girls are even less. The medical services provided for children vary a great deal from country to country! In many countries free or partially free medical services cover all children while in others it is not the case. In the United States for example, the cost of medical attention is a serious problem for many mothers. An eloquent example of rapid advance in a comparatively short time is that of the People’s Republic of China. In the first years after the victory of the Revolution the struggle began to eradicate illiteracy by putting a great number of volunteers to work, mainly women of the street committees, and great progress was immediately achieved. Before 1949 only 20%) of the children attended school while today the figure fluctuates between 90 and 100 % in the cities and over 80 % in remote rural areas. The establishment of boarding schools has been a successful step in the development of secondary education, since it gives opportunities to children who live in rural areas where distances are too great to go to school every day. The increase in university attendance rose from 155,000 in 1949 to 810,000 in 1959. Great attention has been paid to general cultural and technical education of children, as well as to the importance of manual work, Beginning with 1949 campaigns were launched in China in which rats, bedbugs, flies and mosquitoes were exterminated. In this way malaria, small-pox, bubonic plague and cholera were done away with. At the same time undernourishment, rickets and tuberculosis were appreciably reduced, The improvement in health services has been an important factor in reducing infant mortality. The number of medical centres and clinics increased in the rural and urban areas 227 times between 1949 and 1959. Considerably more attention is paid to pre-school children, today, Before the liberation only 130,000 Chinese children had access to kindergartens. In 1960, 21 million children attended the thousands of kindergardens throughout the country. In some West European countries people are worried by the increased number of children recently born with deformaties and abnormalities. In the German Federal Republic alone official estimates show that there are about 10,000 baby victims of the “Contergan” drug. Large sec- 63 === [PDF page 64] === tions of the population in the Federal Republic joined forces to protect the health and lives of mothers and children from the effects of the harmful medicines which cause these terrible phenomena. The Democratic Women’s League of the German Democratic Republic, hich is pre-occupied with the fate of all women and mothers in both German states, urged the Commission of Human Rights of the United Nations to prohibit such dangerous drugs, in the name of principles set down in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. All over the world people are worried about the fact that the mortality of children of between one and nine years of age from leukemia has re cently increased as an immediate result of the rise of radioactivity after nuclear tests. Our struggle for the health of our children cannot be divorced from the fight for peace and disarmament, the prohibition of nuclear weapons and their complete destruction. One of the problems facing the advanced capitalist countries is the the session, Mme. Cotton speaks with delegates === [PDF page 65] === corruption of youth through the unhealthy influence of radio and TV programmes, the popular press and the cinemas. A particular problem is the glorification of violence. In West Germany textbooks extoll the Second World War and the children do not know anything about the atrocities fascism committed against the peoples of Europe. Efforts to overcome this are being made by establishing an international exchange of textbooks and by criticism from within the country and from abroad. In Japan the resurrection of militarism amongst young people and juvenile delinquency go together. Crimes committed by young people during the past five years number 1,060,000, the age of those young criminals is constantly decreasing and the gangs are constantly growing. The number of cases of suicide among young people is highest between the ages of 20 and 24, Some countries have a high rate of unemployment among young people, who are thus driven to juvenile delinquency. In the United States, for instance, more than one million youngsters between the ages of 15 and 20 neither study nor work. It is necessary that the contents of education and the influences that form young people be based on principles of peace and international solidarity so as to make easier the lives of those children living under oppression. In Indonesia pre-school education is based upon five principles: love of the homeland, love of parents, love of truth and justice, friendship and peace, love of nature and of beauty and love of work. It is stated clearly in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child that they must not be an object of racial and educational discrimination. Recently North American Negroes developed a great movement to stop discrimination against them and many children and students showed courage in this fight, in which the police unleashed police dogs against peaceful demonstrators and arrested great numbers of children and students. Let us greet them and support them in their rightful demands so that their proclaimed rights will be guaranteed to them by their government: the right to equality, the right to education, the right to health. Free education and the supply of educational equipment is a general principle in all socialist countries. In the German Democratic Republic the realisation of a 10 year general polytechnical education plan for all children is almost a reality today. In the Soviet Union the period of compulsory education includes the eighth grade and 60°, of the children are already taking an eleven year’s course, Illiteracy has been entirely eliminated. All children are able to follow vocational training and to satisfy their need for culture and recreation. In spite of the fact that the educational system of the Soviet Union is recognised as the best in the world, some small problems have arisen. For example, the number of creches and kindergartens still does not satisfy demands, In the field of the health protection of mothers and children, the Soviet Union maintains a network of medical institutions with more than 31,000 doctors and midwives plus 62,000 pediatricians. There are more than 22 scientific institutions for pediatrics, lying-in care and gynecology. The number of state preventive medical institutions: children’s dispensaries, polyclinics and hospitals is rapidly increasing. Their object is to look after the health and physical development of the younger generation.: 65 === [PDF page 66] === 66 It is well known in medical circles that the Soviet Union has the lowest infant mortality rate in the world. The rapid decrease in infant mortality can also be observed in other socialist countries. In 1939, infant mortality in Bulgaria was amongst the highest in Europe: 138.9 deaths for one thousand children born alive. By 1960 this number had been reduced to 45 per thousand. As a result of the intense work carried out in the socialist countries in preventive medecine, general mortality has been enormously reduced. In Czechoslovakia, for instance, mortality went down from 13.1 per thousand in 1933 to 8.9 at the present. In Bulgaria it decreased from 13.4 per thousand in 1939 to 8.1 per one thousand in 1960. Now I should like to speak about the country whose conditions we know best — ours. Even in small countries in which the revolution is still very young, as in Cuba, the modification of the economic and social structure expresses itself immediately in fundamental changes in the standards of living, education and health of all citizens. Until barely five years ago, less than 4%, of our peasantry knew the taste of meat. Their sons, whose bellies were swollen with parasites, clung to the skirts of mothers who were sick and sad and prematurely aged in the prime of their lives. Life expectancy was no more than 35 years Thousands of children and adults died without having had medical assistance. In 1958 there were neither hospitals nor dispensaries in the rural areas, and in the cities it was necessary to have the protection of a politician or other influencial person before a poor and sick person could be admitted into a hospital. Today the public health budget in Cuba is five times what it was before the revolution. The cooperation of the people through its mass organisations made it possible for mass vaccinations to be carried out within a very short time. Last year anti-polio vaccinations were given to 87.5%) of the children. Children were also vaccinated against diphteria, whooping cough and tetanus. This mass participation of the:people in carrying out revolutionary tasks is also the key to the triumph of an accomplishment which has been recognized as such even by our enemies: our literacy campaign, which was carried to completion in a y as our dear leader Fidel said to United Nations General Asse During that year the number terates decreased from 23 to 3, of the entire population, includ the physically and mentally u The sceptics are still grudgi this success and demand reveal the size of our edu budget. It is a fact that our tional and cultural budget rose fr 74 million in 1958 to more than 4 million. Economists however, ¢ easily prove that if Cuba had the 271,000 members of the lit army according to their merits t campaign could not have been ¢ ried out, as it would by far have @ ceeded our means. People who learned to read @ write are participating in quali tion courses. 100,000 members | the literacy army were young P in the top grade of primary and secondary schools who respo ed to the appeal. Presently thes young people receive scholars for primary, secondary, pre-univel sity, university and technical educi tion so as to become teachers, guists, nurses, art teachers etc. Th will be the doctors, engineers, te === [PDF page 67] === nologists, scientists and artists of tomorrow who will help in the construction and development of the progress and prosperity of our country. The revolutionary government takes care of the children and young people of Cuba as the most precious treasure of the future. At the Congress held at Chile, Cuba said; “Tt is one of the aims of education in our new Cuba to educate our children and young people in the spirit of unlimited love of their country, solidarity with the workers and people of all countries in their noble fight for a free and happy life, for a courageous struggle for peace and with a hatred for imperialist wars and looting.” We have tried to paint a picture however incomplete of the situation of the children of the world so as to show what remains to be done. The WIDF has always considered that the defence of children is one of the most important points of its programme as an organisation of women, It has taken numerous initiatives in this field such as proposing to declare the 1st of June International Day for friendship between children of all countries. It has convened an international Conference in Defence of Children and a World Conference of Mothers and participated in the Brussels Forum on the education of children in a spirit of friendship among peoples. All national organisations affiliated to the WIDF initiate and carry out various campaigns on children’s problems according to the conditions prevailing in their countries. For example there has been the achievements made by the Indonesian Women‘s organisation GERWANI which has put almost 1,000 day nurseries at the disposal of working mothers. Attention must be called to women’s campaigns demanding more schools and teaching personnel in France; for the extension of compulsory and free education up to the age of 14 and access to secondary education according to personal capacities without regard to economic or social position in Italy; in Canada for governmental action to be taken against “comics” and corporal punishment in schools; in Switzerland for the improvement of school programmes and identical unified programmes for boys and girls; in Uruguay for the creation of conditions enabling every child to finish primary school; in Japan for the creation of kindergartens, free health service for all children, and school programmes devoid of any spirit of militarism. The future belongs to youth, to the children, and the future is going to bring them liberation from exploitation and misery, from the lack of culture and from ignorance. In order to help this dawn become a day of shining splendour more rapidly, the women’s organisations must spare no effort to guide the struggle of all women towards the clear and certain aim of the liberation of all peoples. It is possible to unite women and mothers in the struggle to protect children. It is the task of the women’s organizations to unite their efforts to make the rights of the child a reality all over the world. Dear friends, peace is our deepest aspiration. Human history has up to now always evolved in the shadow of war. We are fighting to establish real and lasting world peace based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence among nations and_ universal and controlled disarmament, 67 === [PDF page 68] === 68 General disarmament would guarantee not only lasting peace, but it would also make it possible to spend the exorbitant sums being wasted on war preparations for the welfare of children and youth of today and tomorrow. Let us fight together for these aims. We do not want another war. We do not want to see our children killed, abandoned, sick and without hope for the future. We want them to grow up healthy, strong and happy with all the opportunities bestowed on man by nature, to study and work for the welfare of mankind. Women of the whole world must fight for the happiness of children. Children are born to be happy. Let us fight against every kind of discrimination! Let us fight for universal, compulsory and free education! Let us fight for the right of every child to live in an atmosphere of freedom, justice and equality! Let us fight for peace! Long live the World Congress of Women! The warm welcome of the Soviet women, === [PDF page 69] === The information material resulting from the sessions of the different commissions was read in the plenary session We, delegates of the World Congress of Women, held in Moscow, who have participated in the work of this Commission, have discussed the problems connected with the realisation of the economic, political and cultural rights of women, notably — the participation of women in the political life of their countries; — equal pay for equal work on an objective evaluation of the work; — the right of women to social security; — protection of motherhood; — the recognition of the economic and social value of the work of peasant women; — means and services, facilitating the work of women and their access to responsible posts (the regulation of working hours and conditions, the network of institutions for the safeguarding of children and making housework easier); — rights to education and vocational training and promotion; — the regulation of the juridical status in the family (equality of husbands and wives, the defence of the rights of housewives, protection of unmarried mothers and the children of unmarried mothers). After having closely examined all these problems and after the exchange of experiences in the spirit of the Women's rights in society and the family proposals, the Commission has drawn the following conclusions. 1, Since the end of the Second World War, along with the development of science and technique, vast fields have been opened up for the equality of the sexes, for the extension of the rights of women in different parts of the world, owing to the struggle of women in different countries supported by progressive forces. In the countries of the socialist system the complete equality of women has been realised. Progress has also been achieved in the countries with a democratic regime, All this proves that close contact exists between women’s rights and social progress. The great social changes are reflected in the activity and documents of the most important international organizations. The documents of these organizations express the equality of the sexes and can serve as a basis for the fight for the protection of women’s rights (the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention concerning the political rights of women, the Convention concering equality of renumeration and the Convention of 69 === [PDF page 70] === 70 ILO against discrimination in the field of work and the professions, the UNESCO Convention against discrimination in the field of education, etc.). 2. At present, in spite of all these results, the recognition of women’s rights does not yet reach everywhere a level corresponding to demands and aspirations. The acceleration of social development, the ever increasing part women play in the work of the whole of society makes the search for the solution of new aspects concerning women’s rights urgent. 3. Our Congress has firmly expressed that the happiness of women and their families, as well as the realisation of their fundamental rights are related to the safeguarding and the maintenance of world peace and to the struggle for national independence. 4, National independence is an essential factor in the winning of the rights of women, although, in the countries which have recently won their independence, women still suffer from survivals of the past. Thus, on the basis of these conclusions, we can sum up the tasks of women and women’s movements as follows: 1) Women’s movements in different countries must adapt themselves to the particular conditions in their countries. So that the equality of rights may be realised in all its aspects — political, economic and cultural; in all fields - in society, labour and the family, women’s organizations must fight for the adoption of laws which would guarantee the equality of women in various fields, and — where these laws already exist — to eliminate the gap between the legal rights and the existing situation. Thus they must use methods suitable for the mobilising of the broadest masses of women for the realisation of these aims. 2) Women’s movements must also make use, on an international scale, of all means and all opportunities which can contribute to respect for the rights of women. That is why the activities of international organizations (UN, ILO and UNESCO) must be followed with attention, we must make available to them initiatives and proposals so that within these organizations really effective documents be adopted. 3) The WIDF can help the national movements by calling on responsible authorities for respect in all countries of the principle of equality of sexes, by gathering and dissimenating the fruitful experiences of the various women‘s movements in order to contribute in this way to the improvement in methods of work. 4) As these aims can be achieved only in peaceful conditions the struggle for the rights of women must necessarily mean a constant struggle for peace, national independence, social progress, against all forms of colonialism, oppression and discrimination. === [PDF page 71] === We women representing more than one hundred countries of the world, of different political, social and religious opinions, have met together in a commission during the Congress which was held in Moscow from June 24-29, 1963. We have one common purpose, that of achieving peace, disarmament and friendship between the peoples everywhere. The problems are many, and there are many different approaches, but we are glad to inform the Congress that we were able, after long discussion, to reach agreement on the following points and we wish to demand: — general and total disarmament; — the immediate ending of all nuclear tests; — nuclear-free zones in all countries, both on land and sea; and to call for — the abolition of all nuclear weapons and bases, stockpiles; — the destruction of all missiles, of the means of delivery of nuclear weapons and an end to their manufacture; ~ the withdrawal of all foreign bases and troops on foreign soil. We stand for the principles of peaceful coexistence between countries with different social and economic systems, in accordance with the principles which respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are convinced of the need for international cooperation and the necessity of solving all problems by peaceful negotiations. Peace, disarmament and friendship between peoples We support the right of national independence for all peoples and we are opposed to colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism. We demand that the world’s wealth be directed to peaceful purpose and be used in the service of mankind. The question of world peace cannot finally be resolved while numerous danger spots abound. It is necessary to find an peaceful solution to all problems arising in the troubled areas of the world. THERE IS NEED FOR ~ education for peace, including an intensive worldwide propaganda campaign against war; ~— political pressures on the governments for disarmament and above all for unity and common action by women everywhere in their struggle for peace. As a continuation of the work of the Congress the following united actions are suggested: 1, the promotion of a test-ban treaty — by international petitions and other means, including letter writing campaigns in order to expedite the signing of such a treaty; 2. an appeal from the Congress to the United Nations asking for ratification of their recommendation that 1965 be designated International Cooperation Year; 71 === [PDF page 72] === 72 3. pressure for admission to the United Nations of all those countries which are not yet, or are falsely, represented in its General Assembly; 4. the establishment of international peace days, including joint actions by women of every land for disarmament and friendship among the nations. === [PDF page 73] === She 22s Say 338 $33 Rast ste ges === [PDF page 74] === The struggle of women for national independence 74 The Commission on Women’s Struggle for National Independence had 67 countries participating in its work who all expressed their opinions on the Agenda and the Commission presents to the Congress the points of view which received the most attention in the discussions of the Commission. We, the representatives of women of five continents, believe it to be our sacred duty to encourage all peoples to struggle actively for democratic freedom and national independence, for the total and definite abolition of colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism in all their forms. In our era colonialism is condemned by all the progressive forces of the world as a shameful phenomenon incompatible with the principles of humanism. Declaration 1514 of the 15th General Assembly of the United Nations Organization on the granting of independence to the colonial countries and peoples, voted on as a result of the struggle of all the freedom-loving peoples, has reflected their gencral aspirations to freedom and national independence. The women of the oppressing countries are also interested in the liberation of the countries under colonial domination. With the women of the whole world they demand the full and urgent application of Declaration 1514 of the UN. They invite all women to struggle and to use pressure on their governments so that an end may be put to the shipment of arms and technical aid to countries which wish to maintain their colonial domination by force, so that there will not remain anywhere in the world any territory where the regime of colonial oppression will be maintained or all other forms of oppression, exploitation and pillage. We proclaim our firm support to the peoples struggling for their national independence in Angola, Mozambique, Kenya, so-called Portuguese Guinea and the Cape Verde Islands, North and South Rhodesia, Nyassaland, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Zanzibar, South West Africa, French Somali, St. Thomas Islands, Comores Islands, the Spanish territories and South Africa. We proclaim our solidarity with all the oppressed countries still struggling against the forces of oppression or dictatorship. We call on all peoples and governments to grant the struggling countries varied and extensive help, thus facilitating their victory. We protest resolutely against racial and inhuman discrimination, against the colonial policy of Apartheid, and believe that all peoples should benefit from equal rights and that every people should be master of its own country. The imperialists penetrate the political and economic life of the peoples, seeking to maintain their military bases on the territories of the freed countries imposing on the young and still weak states one-sided agreements under the guise of military and economic aid. We are pleased and proud of the struggle of the people of the freed countries to strengthen their political and economic independence and for the implementation of progressive social and economic measures and for the further development of democracy. We draw the par- === [PDF page 75] === ticular attention of women to the dangers of neo-colonialism, which are more subtle than those of colonialism, because they present themselves in the guise of the sovereignty of the country. These dangers threaten the newly won position of women; they can only avoid them by participating with the whole country in the mobilisation of national resources. It is important to dismantle foreign military bases, an act which will contribute to the more rapid achievement of national independence, to the strengthening of that independence and universal peace. The maintenance of peace in the whole world, peaceful coexistence with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, of equality and independence between states with different social and economic structures, creates better conditions for the application of national independence, for the construction of a new life, for the development and strengthening of the national economy. It its turn the struggle of the national liberation of peoples strengthens the ranks of the partisans of peace and progress. Peaceful coexistence, the fight for peace and universal disarmament speed up the historical process of the inevitable disintegation of colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism. We invite all women to participate, not only in words but with concrete deeds, in the definite suppression of colonialism, neo-colonialism and imperialism in their old and new forms. Colonalism, neo-colonialism and imperialism in all forms of national oppression and inequality must disappear from the face of the earth. AFRICA We members of the commission most solemnly register our support and condemn most vehemently the brutal oppression, imprisonment, torture and mass killing of our sisters in most parts of Africa, in the Portuguese colonies of Angola, Mozambique, so-called Portuguese Guinea, Cape Verde Islands. We call on the Portuguese Government to stop immediately all repressive measures against unarmed Africans and to grant them immediate independence. We demand that the UN Declaration (Resolution 1514) on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, be immediately applied in South West Africa, Southern and Northern Rhodesia, Zanzibar, Swaziland, Basutoland, Comores, Bechuanaland, etc., to all countries struggling for their liberation. We most vehemently condemn the babaric policy of Apartheid and racial discrimination practiced by the South African regime and demand freedom and equality for South Africans. We also condemn the repressive measures against Africans in their own land by the white minorities. We call on the British Government to start direct negotiations with the leaders of the majority of Southern Rhodesia as to the granting of a new constitution and not to grant independence under the present Constitution. We support the 24-man committee on decolonialization, and call on them to take the necessary steps to grant independence to the struggling Africans in South West Africa. We demand amnesty and freedom for all political exiles and prisoners, victims of colonialism and neo-colonialism. 75 === [PDF page 76] === 76 We support the resolution of the Addis Ababa Conference. We, the women of the world meeting in Moscow, appeal to all progessive and peace-loving peoples to consider and help the refugees caused by colonialist oppression and suppression. AMERICA We recommend to the participants of this Congress, to their active material and moral solidarity, the women of Latin America struggling for democracy ad national independence and especially those who are suffering from most violent oppression as for instance in Paraguay where they have suffered and are still suffering most cruel tortures; or in Argentina where the prisons today are filled with the most active fighters of women’s organizations. These are facts which are also true of other countries as for example of Peru and Guatemala. We recommend that permanent solidarity be maintained with the woraen of Puerto Rico in their struggle for national sovereignty and finally with the heroic women of Venezuela who, together with their people, sacrifice their lives for freedom and the independence of their homeland. In view of the racial persecution recently launched against the coloured population of the United States, the echo of which moved the whole world, we recommend that the participants of this Congress fully support the Negro population and reject those actions that constitute an attack against the most elementary human rights. At the same time we recommend that the Congress send greetings to the progressive forces of that country who are still struggling for the defence of peace. ASIA At the time when the movement for national independence witnesses an advance hitherto unknown the peoples in a number of countries, particularly in Asia, are still suffering subjugation, oppression from the colonialists, neo-colonialists and imperialists headed by the American imperialists. The Commission asks the World Congress of Women to appeal to the women of the world to unite and proclaim their solidarity with the women of Asia in the struggle for national independence, the liberation of women, and the happiness of children. The Commission appeals to the women of the whole world to take all possible measures to demand the cessation of the barbaric repressions being imposed on the population of Iraq, to demand that the prisoners and detainees be set free and that there be no more bloodshed in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Commission demands support for the women and peoples of South Yemen in their just struggle against British imperialism, for the liberation of their country, for the liquidation of the military base in Aden which is menacing peace in the Middle East and in all the countries of the Mediterranean. It demands the immediate stop of the spreading of poisonous chemical products in South Vietnam, a means of war which is banned by international conventions === [PDF page 77] === and condemned by the conscience of humanity. — Demands the cessation of the aggressive war against South Vietnam, withdrawal from this country of United States troops, arms and war material. — Expresses sympathy and support for the just fight of the women of South Vietnam united within the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam for independence and peace. — Launches an appeal to the women of all countries on the occasion of the 20th of July for active support, political and material, of the just struggle of the people of South Vietnam, The Commission asks that the struggle of the people of North Kalimantan for their national independence be supported, that an appeal be made to all women to exert pressure on their respective governments to recognise the independence of the united State of North Kalimantan proclaimed on December 8, 1962. — To demand that the British authorities in North Kalimantan liberate political prisoners and freedom figthers. — To support the struggle for the return of Okinawa and Ogaswara to Japan, for the withdrawal of all submarines equipped with “Polaris” missiles from all the oceans of Asia, for the complete liquidation of military bases in Asia and against the conclusion of a Japanese—South Korean military pact. —- Condemns political aggression and oppression by the United States in South Korea, ~ firmly demands the immediate withdrawal of the aggressive army, of the weapons and war material of the American imperialists from South Korea, — asks that a large international campaign be organized to support the just struggle of women of Korea for the liberation of South Korea and the reunification of their country; — demands that Korean citizens living in Japan be free to enter and leave their country, the Democratic Republic of Korea, — demands the withdrawal of American troops from Taiwan and the return of this territory to the motherland, the People’s Republic of China; — demands that the countries which participated in the Conference of Geneva on Laos take effective measures for the application of the Geneva Agreements. Finally in order to support the women of Asia even more effectively in their struggle for national independence, the Commission proposes the creation of a Solidarity Committee in support of the women and people of South Vietnam, Iraq, North Kalimantan and of all women fighting against imperialism and for national independence. EUROPE The Commission recommends that the Congress declares itself in favour of the moral and material support of women imprisoned in Spain, Portugal and Greece because of their heroic fight in the defence of the liberty and independence of their people. It asks the Congress to send greetings to these courageous women and demand of the respective Governments liberty and amnesty for all political prisoners. At the same time we demand a permanent campaign of solidarity with the fight of the people of Spain, Portugal and Greece against the tyrannical and reactionary regimes of these countries. === [PDF page 78] === OCEANIA We recommend the support of the fight of women of suppressed countries and at the same time focus attention on the plight of the aboriginal people in Australia, who, like their sisters in other countries, do not enjoy the same benefits as other peoples. We desire that they also obtain their independence, equality, security an rightful place in the Australian Community, being to retain their culture, traditions and own way of if they so desire. We would also request that Papua-New Guinea be fi from Australian administration and become an inde dent country. === [PDF page 79] === [Photograph: presidium on a stage raising their hands, with flags and a banner behind them] === [PDF page 80] === The health, education and schooling of children and youth 80 The future belongs to the children and youth, and in that future we can already discern the dawn of the liberation of men from misery, ignorance and exploitation. It is for them that we must build a new life and we all aspire to a world in which every mother will be certain that her children will grow up in health and happiness and receive a good education. Peace, disarmament and understanding between people will make this new world posible. Unhappily, the enormous sums spent on armaments starve health and education services and the riches of numerous countries are diverted to those who exploit the resources, while the people remain in misery. A child needs to grow in the peace and security of family life for which essential conditions as a roof and home should be provided. Elsewhere, oppression and foreign occupation place a heavy burden particularly on women and children. Only free nations, masters of their own fate, can take care of the health and education of their people. The courageous struggle of people for national independence has already made possible a reduction of illiteracy and permits giving every child the education he needs. Nevertheless, the struggle against the plague of illiteracy must continue tirelessly wherever it exists and must find the support and cooperation of all women‘s organizations. Primary and secondary education should be compulsory and free for all children, without distinction of race, colour, sex or religion. In many countries vocational training schools or technical schools are lacking. Many young people cannot find room in advanced schools or universities. Women are fighting for the development, for scholarships and equal access of girls to all these schools. We should appeal to the UN to request of every country to give over to national education, vocational training of youth and for education needs of their people an appreciable part of the national budget. Everywhere physical education and sport should become a part of the educational programme. Many children are subjected to the bad influence of radio and television programmes, of films and also certain literature which develop ideas of hatred against other peoples, glorifying scenes of violence, etc, This is one of the causes of juvenile delinquincy. We need literature, radio and TV programmes for our children and youth which show human beings in creative and scientific activities. Wherever this question arises, it would be important to improve the contacts between teachers and those responsible for radio and TV, so that these means can be used to help teach students, and so that the programmes transmitted be more appropriate. We support the proposal of the World Forum of Women held at Brussels in November 1962 to establish an international children’s book centre, patterned after the UNESCO International Cildren‘s Film Centre. Such a centre would act as a clearing house for children’s books from all countries recommended for translation into other languages, so our children may look at the world === [PDF page 81] === through each others eyes. UNESCO is to be commended for its fine work in education. International meetings are increasing, exchanges are taking place between youth of different countries. We suggest that mothers, women, give this all the importance it merits and give it the necessary aid and cooperation in their development so as to favour the exchange of experiences, the understanding and friendship between peoples of the whole world, to give children a consciousness of belonging to the great family of the world. We could also suggest meetings and discussions between peoples whose specialty is looking after children and youth — teachers, medical workers, social workers, etc. The study of foreign languages is essential for friendship and understanding between peoples and should be developed in school programmes. Toys of a war-like character should be eliminated from every country. By our actions we can also do much so that school textbooks will contribute to improving international understanding and do away with hatreds between peoples. We must oppose imperialist and militarist propaganda and the development of ideas and feelings of national hatred and racial discrimination. The Commission warns that in our era, there is still two thirds of the children of the world who are starving and this, while everyone knows that for the sound development of children good food must be available not only in sufficient quantity, but also be the kind needed to assure their full healthy development. Necessary food, medical care, preventive and curative, should be granted every child. In a large number of countries a larger number of hospitals, doctors and auxiliary medical personnel is needed, as are pre-natal clinics, maternity hospitals and home nursing services. In order to help them to quickly enlarge medical services help should be supplied especially to all developing countries. One factor common to all countries of the world is the growing participation of women in production. This factor, vital for women’s emancipation, urgently demands a solution to the problems of children and family life, Consequently there is need for an economic and social transformation in conformity with the needs of the working woman and of today. This is a major problem to be solved to improve the life of children and mothers and assure the progress of all human society. Social security and family allowances, payment for maternity leave, both pre- and post-natal, as well as sickness insurance should be uniformly applied in all countries to all working women, both in industry and agriculture. The rigths of children, whether legitimate or not, should all be equal. Radioactive fallout from nuclear testing is taken in by our children through the air they breathe and in the milk, meat, vegetables and fruits they consume. The effect on their health of this contamination is of great concern. In South Vietnam, chemical products are used in warfare to destroy vegetables, cereals and even animals. The Commission protests the fact that in certain countries of the world children are still treated cruelly and 81 === [PDF page 82] === 82 brutally. In Iraq they have been thrown into jail and forced to witness the tortures of their mothers. In Portugal, Spain and other countries, children are neglected because of reactionary government. In Angola they suffer colonial repression and in South Vietnam they suffer imperialist military aggression. The UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child, which has been formally adopted in some countries, must be made a living reality in all. We women from all parts of the world feel every child to be our child, and we will defend the rights of all children to peace, freedom, equality and happiness. === [PDF page 83] === Permit me to present a brief survey of the composition of the World Congress of Women. Emissaries from 113 countries are present: Europe represented by 27 countries, Asia by 23, Africa by 34, Latin America by 25, North America by 2, Australia and New Zealand. 1,543 persons are taking part in the work of the Congress, of whom 1,291 are delegates, 116 are guests and 136 are observers. The main feature of the Congress is its broad, representative character. Numerically this is the biggest women’s congress of all which have been held. Not one of the previous congresses has had such a large representation of countries and organizations as the present one. We all rejoice at the praticipation Facts on the composition of the Congress in Congress work of emissaries from a large number of African countries. This testifies to serious changes in the relation of forces on the international stage, to tremendous successes in the national liberation movement and to the wide popularity among women in all continents of the idea of struggle for peace and friendship among all peoples, and for national equality of rights. 181 women’s organizations are taking part in the Congress work, of which 22 are in Asian countries, 37 in Africa, 19 in Latin America, 7 in North America and 4 in Australia and New Zealand. 63 of them are affiliated to the WIDF. Of the participants in this Congress 53 are Members of Parliaments, 211 === [PDF page 84] === 84 are working in the fields of science and education, 72 in the field of medicine, 288 are housewives, 25 writers, 34 work in the sphere of arts, 59 are students, 4 work in the | religious field, 38 are lawyers and 78 journalists, 85 are workers, 41 farmers and peasants. An honourary delegate at this Congress is Valentina Tereshkova, whose unprecedented achievement has exalted women throughout the world. The bigest group of women came to this Congress from Brazil. Broadly representative delegations came from the United States, Japan, Great Britain, German Federal Republic, Italy, German Democratic Republic, France, Norway, Soviet Union, Canada, China and other countries. Many prominent leaders in the international women’s movement and in national women’s organizations are taking an active part. Our Congress has received broad support from numerous peace organizations and prominent public figures, scientists, cultural workers, repressentatives of religion and millions of plain people throughout the world. Our Congress is attended by a representative of UNESCO's General Director, representatives of the World Peace Council and all national peace committees, the World Federation of Trade Unions, the International Federation of Resistance Fighters, the Pan-African Women’s Conference, Women Strike for Peace, the Liaison Bureau ‘‘Women’s Responsibility in the Atomic Epoch”, the Liaison Bureau of the Women’s International Assembly in Copenhagen, the American Section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the World Federation of Democratic Youth, the International Student Union, the Committee for International Co-operation Year, International Cooperative Guild, the International Red Cross Committee, Voice of Women. The Congress has received a message of greeting from the head of the Soviet Government, Nikita Krushchoy. The Congress has received greetings and messages differing in character but as a whole helpful to it from eminent personalities, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Ceylon, Dr. Sukarno, President of the Republic of Indonesia, Her majesty Queen Elizabeth of gium, Professor J. D. Bernal, F.R.S President delegate of the W Peace Council, Mrs. P. Lumuml widow of Mr. P. Lumumba of Congo, Mrs. Doula Lambrakis, dow of Grigoris Lambrakis, Dept to the Greek Parliamant and Vi President of the Hellenic Commil tee, murdered, etc. These messa: were read out to the Congress. Many more thousand messages millions of Soviet people have s good wishes for success in the work of the Congress and warm greetings. Permit me on behalf of the Congress to express warm gratitude and deep appreciation to all men and women of good will and all organizations that have sent congratulations and good wishes for success to our Con= gress. Dear friends! The above data on the composition — of our Congress provide grounds for the conclusion that this Women’s Congress is a great forum in defence of peace, in defence of the rights of women and a happy childhood for the children of the entire world. === [PDF page 85] === Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Basutoland Belgium Bolivia Brazil British Guiana Bulgaria Cambodia Cameroons Canada Ceylon Chile Chinese People’s Republic Colombia Comores Congo (Leopoldville) Costa Rica Cuba Cyprus Czechoslovakia Dahomey Dominican Republic Denmark Ecuador Ethiopia Finland France Gambia German Democratic Republic German Federal Republic Ghana Great Britain Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea (Portugese) - Honduras Hungary India Indonesia Iraq Iran Iceland List of countries represented at the Congress Israel Italy Japan Jordan Kenya Korea Laos Lebanon Liberia Luxembourg Madagascar Mali Martinique Mexico Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Northern Rhodesia Norway Nyasaland Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Poland Porto Rico Portugal Reunion Rumania Salvador Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia Soviet Union Sudan Spain Southern Rhodesia South West Africa 85 === [PDF page 86] === 86 South Africa South Vietnam South Yemen Sweden Switzerland Syria Tanganyika Trinidad Tunisia Turkey United Arab Republic United States of America Uruguay Venezuela Vietnamese People’s Republic West Berlin Yugoslavia Zanzibar === [PDF page 87] === .. » Lm happy to be able personally, with heartfelt warmth, to greet all the women of our planet, the repre- _ sentatives of various countries gathered for their World Congress of Women in this hall, in my own land, in the capital of my country. When I blasted off in my cosmic ship, I knew that the World Congress of Women would soon be opening in Mescow. The flight programme followed a strict timeable and I had little spare time. Nevertheless, now and then there were free moments. And then it was very pleasant to hear news of my country from Moscow Radio. And the radio told me that Congress delegates were beginning to arrive in Moscow, women from all the countries of the world. You came by ship, by train, by air, you travelled great distances, spending many hours, sometimes days, on the journey. And it was not only distance you had to cope with. Many of you had to deal with police obstacles. Nevertheless, you are here, and that is very good, my friends! My cosmic ship made one complete circle round the globe in 88 minutes. In less than an hour and a half I flew over all the continents, all the countries which sent their delegates to Moscow to the Congress of Women. As I flew, the thought came to me: how good it would be if my “Vostok 6”, a feminine space ship, so to speak, could throw a bridge, invisible yet strong, from heart to heart, linking all the women of the world.-I looked at our beautiful earth; never, I thought — never must this earth, so blue and glowing, be blackened by atomic ash. Every hour and a half the dawn met me. The sun rose in an incomparable splendour of glowing colour, Can we allow this sun to be darkened for the people of our Valentina Tereshkova greets the Congress === [PDF page 88] === 88 earth by the black clouds of nuclear war explosions? Women of Africa, how beautiful your land is! Seen from space, it truly bears the form of a heart, the burning heart of fighters for freedom and independence. Women of Europe, how lovely are the constellations of your cities at night! Women of Asia, how majestic are the snow-capped peaks of your mountains, how lovely your green valleys, how mighty your deserts waiting for the labour of man to transform them into flowering gardens! Women of the Americas, how great and widely varied is your continent, stretching from the north to the south polar regions! My friends, all of you sitting in this hall! From whatever land you come, my terrestrial sisters, from whatever continent — when flying over your countries I delighted in the beauty of each, and know that in all of them, thousands, millions of hearts throb with the longing for peace and progress. How good it is to stand on this lofty rostrum and see all of you together, discussing the burning question of how to rid our planet of the threat of nuclear war, how to make all peoples free, independent and happy. Another thing I want to say: when I looked at our earth, I thought of my mother. Please do not be offended, those of you who are mothers, if I say as a loving and grateful daughter that my mother really is the best in the world. Mum was only 27 when she became a widow. But great as her loss was, she was strong enough to fight down her grief, to bring up us 3 children, and gave us a good education. Now, when I myself am nearly as old as Mum was when she became a widow, I can really understand and appreciate the difficulty of her achievement. But I would not have said everything if I did not speak of the mighty achievement of my mother-country, the great land of socialism, which helped the millions of widows and orphans left after that dreadful war to get on their feet. Mum often told us: your father died in battle for his country, died a hero’s death. You must be proud of your father. And the best way to honour his memory is to do your part in the Soviet people’s efforts against the threat of a new war. People must defend peace, so that there should never again be widows and orphans. I shall remember my mother’s words all my life. I took them with me into space. That was why the news of preparation for this World Congress meant so particularly much to me — a Congress at which women from the many countries of our globe were to discuss the most urgent problems of our time — how to uphold peace and ensure a firm friendship among peoples... ... 1am sincerely grateful to the President of the Women’s International Democratic Federation, Mme Eugenie Cotton, for her warm words to me during my flight. I am grateful for the honour of being an honourary delegate of this Congress. I am absolutely certain that the delegates to this Congress will approach all the problems facing it thoughtfully, sincerely and wisely, in a friendly, sisterly spirit. I am certain that with one single impulse the women’s hearts of all delegates to the Congress will say in friendly unison: “No War!” From the bottom of my heart I wish the Women’s Congress successful work and a good unity of hearts and hands, for the sake of peace, happiness and prosperity for all the peoples of this earth...” === [PDF page 89] === The delegates present Valentina with souvenirs. === [PDF page 90] === Women, mothers of all countries, of all continents, dear sisters, dear friends It is to all of you that we, the participants of the World Congress of Women, address ourselves. As the representatives of hundreds of millions of women from 114 countries, we have come to Moscow from all points of the globe — from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, from all countries of the American continent — to share our experiences, our fears and our hopes and to examine together ways of overcoming our sufferings and of realising our hopes. Common aspirations for a lasting peace for all peoples of the world bring us together, despite the fact that the evolution of our countries is at different levels, that we are of diverse social origins, of different political and religious convictions. We are unanimous in our wish to win for the women workers, women peasants, housewives and women intellectuals, a worthy and just position in society an in the family, with equal rights and responsibilities, which will assure them the opportunity to develop their aptitudes to the full and to collaborate in all spheres for the progress of humanity. Millions of women have already won economic, social and political rights and are fighting for their consolidation and extension. Millions of women take part in the construction of a new society on completely equal terms with men. The exploit of Valentina Teseshkova and Valeri Bykovski is a glorious proof that our dreams can become reality. We are unanimous in our wish to win happiness for our children, to give to all the children of the world a healthy, happy and useful life. Woman is the mother of all children. We cannot accept that, in the century of scientific and social progress in which we live, millions of children are without happiness, are starving, illiterate, exploited, disinherited, doomed to a premature death. We cannot allow the propagation of animosity and hatred between races and peoples, nor that the forces of reaction and war should poison the mind and corrupt the soul of the young generation. Women of all countries and all continents We appeal to you to struggle unflaggingly without fear of difficulties and sacrifices, for the achievement and defence of equal rights for women in all spheres — work, health, rest, culture, economic, civil and political rights — in order to create in our respective countries and all the world over, the conditions necessary for a happy life for each family, to bring up Appeal 91 === [PDF page 91] === [Photograph: large conference hall full of delegates raising their hands] === [PDF page 92] === generations of children inspired with the great ideal of peace and friendship among the peoples, of social progress and humanism. In order to realise these legitimate aspirations towards happiness we need peace. and friendship among the peoples. We are alarmed by the growing danger created by the arms race which could lead to a thermonuclear catastrophe that would entail grave consequences for humanity. Immense resources are swallowed up in the abyss of production of the means of destruction and extermination. Conscious of our responsibilities for the future of our children and the destiny of the world, we are firmly resolved to make an increasingly important contribution to the struggle against the menace of war. We wish to contribute to the building of a lasting peace. We do not want war and we are convinced that conflicts between States can be settled by peaceful negotiations. We wish to work for the establishment in the world of peaceful coexistence between States with different systems on the basis of mutual respect, national integrity and sovereignty, of non-aggression, non-interference, of equality and reciprocal advantages, for the achie- Dear sisters, dear friends of all the earth vement of general disarmament, complete and rigorously controlled, and of thermo-nuclear disarmament in particular. We appeal to you: — to act without rest and without respite to bring about the cessation of nuclear test; to support the creation of atom-free-zones; to struggle for the removal of all bases and the withdrawal of military troops on foreign soil; — to support the action of personalities, organizations and governments and of all those who act in this spirit; — to multiply the number of women’s campaigns for peace, peaceful coexistence and disarmament. Disarmament will be one of the greatest victories of peace — aspiring humanity. It will contribute to peace in the world, create conditions for true equality between the peoples, liberate immense material and human resources for peaceful work and put science in the service of humanity. Disarmament will not solve all the unsolved social and other problems, but will create conditions according with the interests of the peoples. The cause of disarmament and peace is inseparable from the cause of the people’s struggles for their national independence. It is inadmissable and shameful for humanity that millions of men, women and children are still suffering under colonial enslavement, that many countries of Africa, Latin America and Asia are 93 === [PDF page 93] === 94 still economically dependent on imperialist States, that there are still fascist dictatorship 18 years after the defeat’ of Hitler. All peoples should be able to live freely and independently, choose their own way of living and their own social systems. We support the women and peoples who struggle against all kinds of imperialist oppression and all forms of colonialism and the remnants of feudalism, for their liberty and national independence. We support the women who struggle and suffer under the hard conditions of fascism. And we struggle so that there will no longer be one single woman left in prison for having defended her children, freedom and peace. If we will it, life will triumph! Women, A great responsibility devolves we who give life, on us in the defence of our should defend it tights, the happiness of our children in the defence of peace and the right of the peoples to independence. But we have great confidence in our strength. That which unites us constitutes a great force: it is love for our children, friendship, and solidarity between the women and the peoples of the entire world, it is our striving for peace, justice, progress and happiness of all mankind. We are united in gathering together all forces and bringing them into action against the war danger, to insure a lasting peace throughout the world. === [PDF page 94] === The 5th Congress of the Women's International Democratic Federation took place on June 29th in Moscow, during the course of which a Programme of Activities was adopted. Mme. Eugenie Cotton was unanimously and enthusiastically re-elected President of the WIDF. The WIDF Council, Bureau and the General Secretary, Mrs. Rosa Jasovich-Pantaleon, were also elected. 95 === [PDF page 95] === Mrs. Carmen Zanti during the Bureau meeting betore the Congress. === [PDF page 96] === During recent years the peoples of the whole world have won important victories in their struggle for disarmament and peace, for national independence, democracy and social progress. Millions of women have actively participated in these struggles in which they play a role of increasing importance. At the same time women have been able to bring about important changes in their status and conditions in the family, society and in all fields of work. As it is stated in the Statutes of the WIDF: “The Women’s International Democratic Federation, which was founded on December 1st, 1945, after the Second World War, is an expression of the desire of women throughout the world to unite in opposition to war, oppression and misery and to build a future of progress, freedom, justice and peace. The WIDF unites women regardless of race, nationality, religion and political opinion, so that they may work together to win and defend their rights as citizens, mothers and workers, to protect children and to ensure peace, democracy and national independence. It helps to establish bonds of friendship and solidarity among women of the whole world.” That is why the WIDF calls on the women of the whole world to unite their efforts to achieve the following objectives: Winning, implementing and defending the rights of women as mothers, workers and citizens — equality of women with men, and right of full participation in all fields of economic, social, political Programme of activities of the Women's International Democratic Federation life, recognition and respect for the dignity of women in the family, at work and in society; the right to work without restrictions and to equal pay; the right to enter all professions and trades on an equal footing with men; improvement of working conditions; improvement of living conditions of peasant women; payment for their labour; equal rights of women with men in owning and disposing of land; protection of mother and child; improvement of living conditions of families (food, health, housing); social security for all women; the establishment or extension of social services (nurseries, kindergartens, medical services, dispensaries); measures too by which public bodies would assume a large share of household work; the right to vote and be elected to all national and local government bodies; equal rights with men in regard to marriage, property and children; liquidation of illiteracy; equal access to all avenues of education and vocational training for women and girls and full participation in cultural life. 97 === [PDF page 97] === 98 Defence of the rights of all children to life, well-being and education — assurance of the right of all children to live. Protection of the child from persecution, exploitation, imprisonment and massacres; — assurance of the right of all children and youth to satisfactory living conditions and free preventive health and medical care; - improvement of living conditions of families so that no child shall be obliged to work; ~ the creation of all conditions necessary for the free education and vocational training of all children and youth in their mother tongue, without discrimination of race, nationality or sex; - working out of radio and television and cinema and other weapons of mass destruction, cessation: their manufacture and the destruction of existit stocks; cancellation of military treaties; removal of foreig military bases and withdrawal of troops station on foreign soil; peaceful coexistence between countries no matl what their social and economic systems may be, in accordance with the principles which respe sovereignty and territorial integrity;; the peaceful solution of international differences Bf discussion and negotiation;: economic, scientific and cultural cooperation betwe peoples on the basis of equality and mutual benefi programmes and distribution of literature especially for children, banning of all racist, colonialist and militarist propaganda; a sound education in a spirit of peace, democracy, of progress and friendship between peoples. For peace and universal disarmament — the defence of world peace; against all wars of aggression; against nuclear war; an end to the arms race, and war preparations; the achievement of general and controlled disarmament: the resources thus liberated used for improving living standards; an end to nuclear tests; the establishment of denuclearised zones; a ban on thermo-nuclear weapons To win and defend national independence and democratic freedoms — respect for the sovereignty of all nations and no intervention in their internal affairs, respect for principle of equal rights for all peoples and th right to self-determination in accordance with Charter of the United Nations, and with the re lution voted by the 17th General Assembly of # United Nations in 1962 (on the application the Declaration granting independence to colon peoples and countries, adopted on December | 1960, by the General Assembly of the United Nation — respect for human rights; winning and defend democratic freedoms; freedom of expression, ‘ association, of assembly and demonstration; — solidarity with the women of oppressed nal === [PDF page 98] === struggling alongside their peoples to win and defend national independence; solidarity with women fighting for peace, against imperialism, fascism, all forms of colonialism, foreign, political, military economic and cultural domination and for the liquidation of the remnants of feudalism; solidarity with the women suffering persecutions in their struggle for democratic freedoms, social progress, and against racial discrimination. 99 === [PDF page 99] === Beside Mme. Cotton, Mrs. Rosa Jasovich Pan taleon, General Secretary of the W.I.D.F., speaking during the first Bureau meeting after the Congress 100 === [PDF page 100] === President: Bureau of the Women’s International Democratic Federation Mme Eugenie COTTON Honourary Vice-Presidents: Dr. Andrea ANDREEN Mrs Dolores IBARRURI Vice-Presidents: Members: Mrs Mrs Mrs Mrs Margarita de PONCE Marie-Claude VAILLANT-COUTURIER Marie PRITT Kapila KHANDVALA Maria-Maddalena ROSSI Raicho HIRATSUKA Ransome KUTI Yang YUN-YU Helena LEFLEROVA Nina POPOVA Freda BROWN Lya LAFFAYE Vilma ESPIN DE CASTRO Umi SARDJONO Dr. Nazeeha DULAIMI Mrs Souraya ADRA France Sweden Spain Argentina France Great Britain India Italy Japan Nigeria Chinese People’s Republic Czechoslovakia Soviet Union Australia Canada Chili Cuba Indonesia Iraq Lebanon 101 === [PDF page 101] === 102 Mrs Alicia MUSIALOVA Mrs Ilse THIELE Mrs Helga DICKEL Mrs Ceza NABARAOUI Mrs Maruja ACOSTA General Secretary: Mrs Rosa JASOVICH-PANTALEON President of Verification Commission: Mrs Rada TODOROVA Poland German Democratic Republic German Federal Republic Sudan United Arab Republic Uruguay Venezuela 1 country of Africa Argentina Bulgaria === [PDF page 102] === Introduction: a6 Glia Ais hw Ew ERS RRS The WIDF in the struggle for peace, national independence, Women’s rights and the happiness of children Report presented by Mrs. Eugenie Cotton, President of the WIDF The struggle for Women’s rights in society and the family Report presented by Professor Ana Matera, Italy Struggle of Women for peace, disarmament and friendship between Peoples Report presented by Mrs. Fuki Kushida, Japan. The struggle of Women for national independence Report presented by Mrs. Aoua Keita, Republic of Mali.. The health, schooling and education of children and youth Report presented by Mrs. Vilma Espin de Castro, Cuba. Information on the Commissions Composition of the Congress List of countries represented at the Congress. Valentina Tereshkova greets the Congress Appeal Programme Bureau of the WIDF. 23 47 69 83 85 87 91 97 - 101 Contents 103