Hand in Hand: Cairo plays host to the first Afro-Asian Women's Conference (Yvonne Quiles, 1961)

=== [PDF page 1] === “In the old days, when we were slaves of slaves, we had a double share of compulsion and humiliation. In the old days, that is, in the time of the oppressor, barely two years ago — a girl was a saleable commodity and was given to the highest bidder.” These words were uttered by a slim, graceful Guinean woman, before her African and Asian “sisters” who were meeting for the first time. In the early days of the Egyptian winter, the last half of January (a date that will live in the history of the women’s movement) the women of Africa and Asia, yellow, white and black, moslems, catholics and atheists, free, freed and being freed, peasant women and _ bourgeois women, met in Cairo to toll the knell of colonialism. It cannot be forgotten. The reports, the speeches, the discussion, the denunci- At the microphone, Mrs. Baya Karam, conference secretary. Behind her, the Pre- ) sident, Mrs. Karima - El Said; at right q Mrs. Nehru, leader f )MENS CONFERENCE of the large and re- aN Boon es Ss - presentative Indian “a a delegation. Above the |) Se SS Stage, the proud none pes; symbol of the first Afro-Asian Women's Conference. === [PDF page 2] === Cairo plays host to The first | Afro-Asian Women’s Conference by our special reporter, YVONNE QUILES IN HAND ations, the documents, the appeals, such as the moving one by the South African woman who entreated the delegates to show their practical solidarity, “not just solidarity in words” to her people, which drew both tears and thunderous applause, all served to define the common enemy, colonialism, It was likened to an evil beast which, to live and to survive, has fed and still feeds on human flesh and blood, on human tears and sorrow, on infinite suffering, often beyond human endurance. It has sown ignorance, famine, misery and discord in its wake. All this was said quite bluntly in Cairo. Horror and delicacy do not go together, Don’t listen to the sirens! But a spark was smouldering beneath the ashes, Every blow struck against fascism in the world, against racism, against injustice, against despotism, every victory of freedom, every victory of science, every woman's victory in the march toward emancipation, without which a free country can never be completely free, every revolt of subjected peoples, has fed the spark. Today it is a flame. Colonialism is doomed. But it is still dealing murderous blows in Algeria, Congo, Kameroun, etc, Most of the 200 delegates, representing about fifty countries of Asia and Africa, denounced the classical colonial methods and also the new, which, though more devious and less ‘brutally direct, are no less dangerous: “Drive colonialism out the door and it will try to come in by the window”, declared a delegate from Kameroun who knew what she was talking about, “guard every front. Do not listen to the voice of the sirens”. The report on the women’s struggle for independence and the preservation of peace contained a passage which dealt with the aid given by the government of Chancellor Adenauer to General de Gaulle’s Algerian policy. One example: 60,000 young Germans recruited in the Federal Republic are in the Foreign Legion, which has_a vile reputatation in Algeria. A wave of solidarity caused all the delegates to rise as one whenever the heroic struggie of the Algerian people and their wonderful women was mentioned, or the blows against the Congolese people who are gaining ground against the colonial aggressors were denounced. Everything was dissected and analysed with the greatest care in this report, I think it would be fair to say that it was the masterpiece of this first Afro-Asian Women’s Conference and that the commission charged with the preparation of the document concerning this aspect of the agenda was the most vehement, the liveliest and the longest in coming to an agreement, But finally they did agree, which is the main thing. The commissions recommendation was passed in the plenary session. Two more votes and it would have been unanimously passed. It is an appeal for Afro-Asian and international solidarity, which alone can bring a rapid end to colonialism including neo-colonialism, which is openly unmasked today. It is a lucid document in that it sees the struggle for the maintenance of world peace, for total disarmament, for liquidation of military pacts and bases and for an end to nuclear tests and all foreign domination as indispensable and closely linked with the fight for independence And it a is politically courageous one in that it demands the building up of democratic and free societies, the condemnation of dictatoria) governments, the creation of independent national economies, and the struggle against remnants of feudalism, famine, ignorance, unemployment, etc To help to attain all these aims the Conference decided to create an Afro-Asian women’s liaison body attached to the Permanent Secretariat of the Afro-Asian peoples, to publish a journal, to organise effective and concrete aid for the peoples’ struggle for their indepen:lence and for the women’s particular struggle for their emancipation, etc. Women, the essential element in progress But this conference did more than that, otherwise it might just as well have been organised by men or with men. And if the problem of women’s rights was not in the forefront there are objective reasons for this. I talked with some of the women of the recently liberated countries and asked them why they did not put more stress on this specific aspect of the genera! struggle in their speeches. Their desire to come to the aid of the women of the still colonial countries seemed momentarily to get the better of their desire to con- A partial view of the hall during a plenary session, The meeting between Mr. Youssef Sebai, General Secretary of the Afro-Asian Soli- © darity Council and Mrs. Ra- ®; meshwari Nehru. ee === [PDF page 3] === The working commission of the fight for independence and peace, ct by Mrs. Mamia Chantouf (Algeria) standing center, Was one of the most spirited. Each delegate took part in the discussion with extraordinary vitality and a maturity of tone and spirit very striking to the poorly informed observer. At right, Mrs. Tayrovakma, Tadjakistan Minister of Construction, told us as her speach was being read, “I Was struck by the forceful manner in which the women approached the problems concerning them. There is also a powerful desire for unity and understanding and a very hi level of awareness, It is very inspiring. duct the necessary struggle to win their full rights, I would like to say here that the solidarity expressed in Cairo reached proportions that I have rarely had the opportunity of feeling so strongly The women meeting in Cairo were very different, Alongside delegations from the Asian Soviet Republics, China, Viet- Doctor Andrea Andreen, centre, WIDF observer, chats with Mrs, Ceza Nabaraoui, one of the UAR delegates, known and esteemed by all for her courage and her understanding of women’s problems. At righi, Mrs. Shirley Graham, an American writer whose talent serves the siruggle against racial discrimination, nam and Mongolia, and women belonging to mass or opposition organisations, there were a great number of delegates representing the governmental, national trend of their respective countries. It is clear that they were united, without discussion by anti-colonialism — “there can be neither compromise nor concession with the foreign oppressor’, I was told by those I questioned — while the question of their rights was still a debatable point, depending on where they came from, who they were, and What influences they were subjected to. Among the messages sent to the Conference by Heads of State, I would like to mention that of Chairman Khrushchov; it was a true declaration for peace and was enthusiastically greeted, and the one from Premier Ferhat Abbas in which this passage was particularly noteworthy “In Algeria, as in the other Asian and African countries, the role of women must not end with this phase of the liberation struggle. The women in these countries symbolise the new generation and their efforts will have to be directed toward the new society. Only to the extent that she does this, will she really be able to free herself while affirming her status as an essential element in progress”. To de-colonise minds. Affirming her status as an essential element in progress That is the crux of this idea, which, in a country freed from colonialism is the key to success, It is an inspiring idea, capable of winning both men and women once de-colonisation of minds has been achieved, for the interests of the whole nation is at stake Several delegates told me, consolidation of independence demands eternal vigilance. One of them who lives in a country where anti-democratic acts too often are reducing the value of independence, said with poignant bitterness that she would have been happy if one of the resolutions had firmly condemned all these attacks on freedom and human dignity. Her spirit of solidarity expressed with the same strength as the The large and active Chinese delegation which followed each speech with warm interest, included some artists, Here is one of them ey ting the famous Silk Dance during a gale evening for the delegates, === [PDF page 4] === is even more admirable than theirs. I told her other delegates this and she answered \dmirable, no, natural. To help to free these countries from colonialism, to help to liquidate colonialism, is to advance the cause of freedom everywhere. It is in my interest and the interest of the women of my country, of all my people, of all my sisters”. This was the atmosphere of the Conference, Frequently I had occasion to hear or use the constantly repeated terms “my sisters”. “hand in hand”, *‘spirit of solidarity”, ete I learned to love these words. They became full of warmth and a new meaning The report concerning the full rights of women stressed that with political freedom won there remains much to do, for traditions are difficult to abolish and there is a tendency, after the regaining of national independence, te ignore the need to restore to women their rightful place in the new society”. I also felt it was clear to several delegates that the struggle sainst all the remnants of feudalism, for democratic and social changes, for the creation of a national economy, etc. was vital in a liberated country and closely linked to the advancement of women. The personal status of women 1n Tunisia, the most advanced of all the Arab countries in this respect, was the subject of controversial discussion in an impromptu conversation during the Conference. At the end of this discussion the opposition was considerably reduced. Only one man remained, Nothing will stop them The delegates from the Asian Soviet Republics — China, Mongolia, Vietnam, North Korea, etc. expressed the pride of the women they represented in being able to successfully take part in all the activities of their countries. and the Conference greeted them with extreme cordiality. All wanted to be photographed with the representatives of these countries. The successes of Guinea, India, Indonesia, Tunisia, Iraq etc. in sev eral fields (education labour, public works, social laws) were also very stimulating: All of them, some more clearly than others, knew or felt that their role was multiple and infinite, and that patience and tenacious courage were needed to overcome all the obstacles. In the documents adopted concerning the political, social, economic and cultural rights of the Afro-Asian woman, very serious effort was made to pin down her goals and the means of attaining them The important thing now is to bring these recommendations to life. It seemed to me that all the women realised the difficulty of the undertaking, but the enthusiasm that reigned in Cairo was so strong it was not difficult to realise that it would be contagious. It is easy to imagine the delegates returning to their countries heads crammed with projects, hearts still more overflowing with friendship toward each sther, to those who are suffering. fighting with riflle in hand when necessary and winning Listeners will gather around these delegates and the Cairo ideas will gain ground. Nothing can stop them from now on The necessary reconciliation Delegates from the countries bordering on the nara were indignant. The French government had broken the atomic truce and it was roundly condemned. Thousands of women have taken part in powerful demonstrations everywhere. Japanese personalities have denounced the foreign pacts and bases with extreme severity and alluded to the magnificent struggle of their people Many women have proclaimed their ardent desire to live in a e of fear”. Just as the struggle for freedom is part of the genera! fight for peace, for a world disarmed, so every action for disarmament helps the independence struggle of the people who are still oppressed. This was clearly expressed by many women and approved by the others. The idea of international solidarity triumphed too. For these women as for all others, war is hateful. I heard delegates from Guinea, Algeria, Tunisia, the USSR etc. declare before a responsive audience: “Let us outlaw war!” “world fr At a reception given by the Indian delegation, Doctor Andrea Andreen, W.1.D.F. vice-president and observer, gave her organisation’s unreserved support for the Conference, She recalled that, since its inception, the W.1-D.F, has always shown its solidarity toward peoples struggling for independence and its hostility to colonialism, and that it had expressed this solidarity and hostility The Conference organisers had planned a programme of s to factories, S0cial and cultural institutions, historic monuments, villages, etc. Unfortunately the schedule was so tight that everything was just skimmed over. Some of the delegates at an important cotton mill, Cotton is one of the UAR’s main resow At right, the youngest delegate to the conference (17) direct from Southern Somaliland, Because some high placed and not ve enthusiastic functionaries “forgot” to give her the necessary papers in time, she arrived in after the Conference closed. She is shown here with an older delegate on the boat we used for a short sea crui Port Said, center of the Egyptian people’s resistance to the English, French and Israeli aggressors during the Suez crisis of 1956. The delegates placed flowers in front of the monument erected to the 5,000 odd victims who fell in the name of freedom. Delegates from Vietnam and Kameroun, === [PDF page 5] === This Sierra Leone delegate was noted for her majestic walk and the proud way she held her head. When she stood up, one imagined all Africa to be standing. once again and unequivocally at its most recent Council Mecting in Warsaw in December 1960. In a declaration made public after the Conference, the W.I.D.F. explained why it identifies itself with the goals proclaimed by the delegates in Cairo. They conform to its permanent program: the right of peoples to self-determination, peace, the welfare of children and families, and the real emancipation of women. By way of conclusion I would like to tell a lovely story and a true one. Mrs. Peres Wera Ambitho of the Kenya African National League was among the first to arrive in Cairo. To get to the meeting on time she had to leave her country in October and travel the long road to the Uganda border on foot. There the British police arrested her, put her in prison, confiscated her money and then released her. She was famished when she reached Sudan where she was welcomed and assisted by some peasants. When the government of the country was informed, it helped her to continue her trip. In Cairo she spoke of the misery and the struggles of the women of her country and she ended thus: “Long live Afro-Asian solidarity! Long live those who fight for peace! We will always be at their side”. In Cairo, I saw the Afro-Asian woman stand up... Such meetings are not organised for the needs of the camera, even if the delegates strike a pose when the photographer approaches -» « The Women of Asia and Africa eagerly getting to know and understand one another better, gave the impression of being in many places at once.