LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, WOMEN'S BUREAU, Washington, April 20, 1947. SIR: I have the honor to present a report that outlines the work in official international organizations for status of women. It traces the work of the United Nations Subcommission on Status of Women through its first session, and the beginning of such work in the earlier period of the League of Nations. The countries of the world naturally look for leadership to a nation that has progressed as far as has the United States in providing for the needs of women and in making use of the contribution women can make to their government and the life and work of their times. The Women's Bureau has responded to requests by women's organizations that it serve in a continuing advisory capacity in work with them toward representing to the United Nations the viewpoints of organized women in the United States; and it has cooperated closely with the State Department toward furthering the policies desired by American women in the framework of the United Nations. The present summary of the developments in expressing the aspirations of women through two official world-wide organizations is greatly in demand for background use in the immediate work programs of women's organizations. The report was planned and written by Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon, with the collaboration of Rachel Conrad Nason and Rachel Fesler Nyswander, and the assistance of Betty Jane Roberts, all of the Women's Bureau staff. Respectfully submitted. FRIEDA S. MILLER, Director. Hon. L. B. SCHWELLENBACH, PART I. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND STATUS OF WOMEN Provision as to Women in the League of Nations Covenant, 1920. League Organization and Women Officials Work of Women's Organizations-Liaison Committee Consideration of Status of Women by League of Nations Discussion of Nationality by League's 12th Assembly (1931) Action on Nationality by League's 13th Assembly (1932). Request for Reports on Nationality by League's 14th Assembly Delayed Request to Consider Equality in League's 15th Assembly 37 Page II. League of Nations Documents, 1920-39 1. Resolutions of League of Nations Assembly Relating to Status Cooperation of Women in the Organization of Peace-12th 38 38 Nationality of Women-12th Assembly (1931) 38 Nationality of Women-13th Assembly (1932). 39 Collaboration of Women in the Work of the League-13th 40 Nationality of Women-16th Assembly (1935) 40 Political, Civil and Economic Status of Women-16th 41 Status of Women-Creating a Committee of Experts [For 2. Countries Requesting League Assembly to Consider Status of 3. Status of Women-League of Nations Assembly, 1937. Report Submitted by the First Committee to the Assembly, Draft Resolution [Creating a Committee of Experts on Legal 4. Committee for the Study of the Legal Status of Women, Minutes of Twelfth Meeting, 9 April 1938. Scheme of Work, 12 April 1938. Aide Memoire for the Scientific Institutes, 12 April 1938. III. United Nations Documents, 1945-46 1. Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, 64 Provisions of United Nations Charter Applying to Status 64 Provisions of United Nations Charter Indicating Useful 65 The Brazilian Declaration Recommending Establishment of 67 68 2. First General Assembly, London, January-February 1946. An Open Letter to the Women of the World, 5 February Declaration on the Participation of Women in the Work of Debate on Women in First General Assembly, 13 February 3. First Session Economic and Social Council, London, February Resolution Establishing Human Rights Commission and 4. Subcommission on Status of Women, New York, April-May Report of Subcommission to Commission on Human Rights, 5. Second Session, Economic and Social Council, New York, May-June 1946 69 68 |