in which they are engaged to deal with problems affecting women can have a far reaching effect. 4. Regional and national seminars are needed to bring together women from a particular area to deal with a special problem. By the preparation of background papers on the subject by the participants and through discussion new information on the subject is made known. A consensus evolves on which to base joint action in the countries or communities which participate. Leadership is trained through participation for both governmental and voluntary organizations. 5. The establishment of machinery within government specifically responsible for dealing with problems and developing constructive programs. Two methods in particular are recommended: (a) Establishment of Women's Bureaus or similar offices as permanent. agencies in the executive branch of the government, with responsibility for studying and reporting on major aspects of women's economic and legal status, and of making policy recommendations on programs and measures useful or necessary to improving the status of women and enabling them to make their full contribution to the economic, social, cultural and political life of their countries. (b) Establishment, under government auspices, of Commissions composed of representatives of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and of civic leaders, to study the progress made by women to date in all major fields and to make recommendations to the Chief of State and the national legislative body on measures needed to remove barriers to women's progress and promote the full partnership between men and women in all aspects of national life. 6. Urgently desirable is the increased exchange of information between groups within countries and between countries on subjects related to the concerns of women. The distribution of country reports on status of women, a review of activities in which governments and organizations in different countries are engaged and a direction of women's non-governmental organizations will be helpful in stimulating wider understanding and new awareness of ways in which conditions can be improved. The publishing of an international magazine can be an effective tool through which to provide for exchange of information. Channels which can be used will differ but mass media, government agencies and international organizations provide a vast network through which women can learn about each other regardless of where they may live or their station in life. 7. Also essential is the increased exchange of persons who cross national boundaries to acquire new information on a wide variety of subjects. Machinery to make possible such exchanges have been established by governments, foundations, educational institutions, the United Nations, the UN specialized agencies and voluntary organizations. Facilities are made available through special groups serving farmers, musicians or students not part of functioning organizations. This method is effective because individuals not only acquire new skills but new ideas about the way of life in another country. VI. The ICY Committee on Women Recommends I. That International Conventions Relating to Women be Ratified; (1) The U.S. ratify the UN Conventions transmitted to the Senate in 1963 on Political Rights of Women, Slavery and Forced Labor. (2) The President transmit to the Senate for ratification other international conventions, namely UN convention on Nationality of Married Women, UN convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration for Marriages; ILO Conventions on Discrimination in Employment and Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value for Men and Women Workers; and UNESCO convention on Discrimination in Education. (3) Voluntary organizations study conventions, fully inform their members, and make known opinions to proper authorities. II. That Fuller Utilization of Women Power be made in International Offices; (1) The U.S. support the appointment of qualified women to a wider range of planning and policy making positions in the United Nations, specialized agencies and other international secretariats. 75-719-67- -6 (2) The U.S. appoint qualified women to serve as attaches, regional and Women's Affairs officers in overseas embassies for international cooperation with women and voluntary organizations and that the changing role of women be emphasized in orientation courses. (3) The U.S. appoint qualified women in increasing numbers to delegations attending international meetings. (4) Voluntary organizations suggest qualified women to be appointed in the international field and that the U.S. support the principle of full participation of women at every level of international cooperation. III. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations give increasing support to multilateral and bilateral governmental and privately supported programs designed to improve educational, political, economic, social and legal status of women. IV. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations give increasing support to programs of international cooperation which strengthen family life, including social welfare, housing, and homemaker education, with consumer training. V. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations give increasing support to regional, national and local seminars to equip women for leadership in public life and nongovernmental organizations. VI. The U.S. and voluntary organizations support international cooperation programs to improve the vocational guidance, training and re-training of women; to assure women equal access to training and job opportunity; equal pay for equal work, and freedom from discrimination in employment on the basis of sex; to expand services essential to working women, particularly those with family responsibilities; and to develop standards with respect to conditions of work, applicable alike, insofar as feasible and appropriate, to men and women. VII. That the U.S. continue to assist other countries, upon request, in the establishment of Women's Bureaus and Status of Women Commissions. VIII. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations support international cooperation programs to improve educational opportunities for women at all levels including training in foreign language; supply visual aids and interesting material and make available other information which will stimulate their full participation in community development and public life. IX. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations provide, when requested, educational information and technical assistance in family planning programs. X. That U.S. foundations, and voluntary organizations make more funds available to expand exchange of persons' programs and to assure a greater number of women as exchangees and that particular attention be given to promoting international cooperation by the recognition of women of outstanding achievements. XI. That U.S. foundations and voluntary organizations assist on request, rural women in the developing countries to participate more fully in village development through the establishment of adequate educational opportunities, and facilities for training in nutrition, family life and community organization. XII. That the U.S., foundations and voluntary organizations make available to the UN "funds-in-trust" for particular projects in developing countries for the advancement of women and for the publication of studies and reports which are now unavailable because of lack of funds. XIII. That U.S. foundations and voluntary organizations make available to the UN funds in trust for technical assistance to establish commissions to study the legal position of women in family law in developing countries and to help create public opinion which would support the elimination of outworn laws that deprive women of essential human dignity. XIV. That the U.S. and voluntary organizations use all available channels to promote understanding of the United Nations and its work to advance the position of women and to help to create through the full use of mass media an area of acceptance of the full contribution of women to the building of a peaceful world. Government Consultants Dr. Margaret C. Browne, Director, Division of Home Economics, Federal Extension Service. Miss Evelyn Harrison, Deputy Director, Bureau of Programs and Standards, Civil Service Commission. Mrs. Mary N. Hilton, Deputy Director, Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor. Mrs. Frances H. Howard, Liaison Officer, MR/VSA, AID. Mrs. Dorothy Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs, Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Mary Dublin Keyserling, Director, Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor. Mrs. Carl Marcy, Women's Activities Adviser, USIA. Mrs. Elizabeth Stoffregen May, Director, Export-Import Bank. Mrs. Marie C. McGuire, Commissioner, Public Housing Administration. Mrs. Rachel C. Nason, Human Rights Officer, Office of Economic and Social Affairs, Department of State. Mrs. Esther Peterson, Special Assistant to the President for Consumer Affairs, Chairman of President's Commitee on Consumer Interests, and Assistant Secretary of Labor. Mrs. Katherine Pringle, Women's Activities Adviser, Department of State. Mrs. Gladys A. Tillet, U.S. Representative, U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Mrs. Irene Walker, Procedures and Directives Division, Office of Management Planning, AID. Dr. Ellen Winston, Commissioner of Welfare Administration, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Staff Advisers: Miss Mary M. Cannon, Chief, International Division, Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor. Mrs. Alice A. Morrison, Chief, Division of Legislation and Standards, Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor. Senator DODD. Thank you all for coming, Mrs. Peterson and Ambassador Goldberg. The next hearing on these treaties will be held on March 8 at which time nongovernmental witnesses will be heard. Therefore, we will recess this hearing at this time. (Whereupon, at 12:05 p.m., the hearing was recessed, to be reconvened subject to the call of the Chair.) CONVENTION ON THE POLITICAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN CONVENTION CONCERNING THE ABOLITION OF SUPPLEMENTARY SLAVERY CONVENTION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1967 UNITED STATES SENATE, AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONS Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10 a.m. in room 4221, New Senate Office Building; Senator Thomas J. Dodd, presiding. Present: Senators Dodd and Clark. Senator DODD. We will call the hearing to order. This is the second public hearing of the subcommittee on the three human rights conventions: the Convention on Political Rights for Women, the Forced Labor Convention, and the Slavery Convention. On the first day of the hearings we had the privilege of hearing the testimony of Ambassador Arthur Goldberg, and today we will hear testimony of witnesses not connected with the Government. The witnesses this morning have been arranged largely in the order in which the requests were received. Exceptions are, of course, the customary courtesies accorded our colleagues and, as well, out-of-town witnesses. Since there are a number of witnesses who have asked to be heard, we have suggested that the presentations be combined as far as possible. We have also had to ask, in view of the time limitations, that they be limited to ten minutes which would give members of the committee an opportunity to ask questions if they desire to do so. If there are longer statements, of course, they will be accepted and printed in the record. We are particularly pleased this morning that Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin is here. Senator Proxmire has been a leader in the Senate seeking to get these conventions and similar ones taken up by the Senate. He has waged almost a one-man battle to get this done, and I think the fact that we are underway at all is due, in very large measure, to his persistence and his constant interest and his courage in carrying on this effort. I am particularly pleased to welcome him as a colleague and as a friend. Senator, I am always glad to hear anything you say. |