1. III. UNITED NATIONS DOCUMENTS, 1945-46 Conference on International Organization, San Francisco, The United Nations Charter had two aspects: One, the prevention of war, the motive behind the Security Council; the other concerned with human welfare, economic and social questions, represented by the Economic and Social Council. It is largely in connection with this second aspect that the status of women appears in the Charter. PROVISIONS OF UNITED NATIONS CHARTER APPLYING TO STATUS OF WOMEN, JUNE 1945 Preamble * * to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, Purposes and Principles (Purposes) * Article 1-3. To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms. for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, Organs Article 8. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The General Assembly (Functions) Article 13-1. The General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of: b. promoting international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. International Economic and Social Cooperation Article 55. With a view to the creation of conditions of stability and well-being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United Nations shall promote: c. universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. Article 56. All members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the Organization for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55. The Economic and Social Council (Functions and Powers) Article 62-2. It may make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. The Economic and Social Council (Procedure) Article 68. The Economic and Social Council shall set up commissions in economic and social fields and for the promotion of human rights, and such other commissions as may be required for the performance of its functions. International Trusteeship System [for territories] Article 76-c. to encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion, and to encourage recognition of the interdependence of the peoples of the world. PROVISIONS OF UNITED NATIONS CHARTER INDICATING PROCEDURES USEFUL FOR SUBCOMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN, JUNE 1945 International Economic and Social Cooperation Article 57 1. The various specialized agencies, established by intergovernmental agreement and having wide international responsibilities, as defined in their basic instruments, in economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related fields, shall be brought into relationship with the United Nations in accordance with the provisions of Article 63. 2. Such agencies thus brought into relationship with the United Nations are hereinafter referred to as specialized agencies. Article 58 The Organization shall make recommendations for the coordination of the policies and activities of the specialized agencies. The Economic and Social Council Article 62 1. The Economic and Social Council may make or initiate studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health, and related matters and may make recommendations with respect to any such matters to the General Assembly, to the Members of the United Nations, and to the specialized agencies concerned. 2. It may make recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. 3. It may prepare draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly, with respect to matters falling within its competence. 4. It may call, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the United Nations, international conferences on matters falling within its competence. Article 63 1. The Economic and Social Council may enter into agreements with any of the agencies referred to in Article 57, defining the terms on which the agency concerned shall be brought into relationship with the United Nations. Such agreements shall be subject to approval by the General Assembly. 2. It may coordinate the activities of the specialized agencies through consultation with and recommendations to such agencies and through recommendations to the General Assembly and to the Members of the United Nations. Article 66 1. The Economic and Social Council shall perform such functions as fall within its competence in connection with the carrying out of the recommendations of the General Assembly. 2. It may, with the approval of the General Assembly, perform services at the request of Members of the United Nations and at the request of specialized agencies. Article 71 The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned. The Secretariat Article 101 2. Appropriate staffs shall be permanently assigned to the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and, as required, to other organs of the United Nations. These staffs shall form a part of the Secretariat. THE BRAZILIAN DECLARATION RECOMMENDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMISSION OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED NATIONS, JUNE 1945 1 "The Brazilian Delegation wish to make the following Declaration to be brought before Commission II, Committee 3. "Whereas the status of women in different countries has to be radically improved and their rights have to be extended to attain the objectives of the Economic and Social Council to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of sex; "and whereas the part that women have played in the war makes the consideration of their status and rights an urgent problem requiring solution: "The Delegation of Brazil recommends that the Economic and Social Council should set up a special commission of women to study conditions and prepare reports on the political, civil and economic status and opportunity of women with special reference to discrimination and limitations placed upon them on account of their sex." The Delegation of Mexico proposed that the Declaration include the following sentence: "This Commission shall cooperate with similar official commissions in different parts of the world." This proposed amendment to the Brazilian Declaration was accepted by the Delegate of Brazil. The Brazilian Declaration, as amended by the Mexican Delegate was supported by representatives of thirty-five other delegations who associate themselves with the Declaration. The Delegate of Brazil responded and expressed appreciation of the support given the Declaration. 1 Source: Journal of United Nations Conference on International Organization, No. 38, June 7, 1945, p. 134: Minutes of Meeting of Committee II/3, June 6, 2. First General Assembly, London, January-February, 1946 RESOLUTION OF BRITISH WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS TO FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF UNITED NATIONS, 25 JANUARY 1946 1 The British Federation of Business and Professional Women had set up an Ad Hoc United Nations Committee to consider the problem of a special Commission of Women in the United Nations. Representatives of all the leading British women's organizations were invited to a Round Table Conference, which was presided over by Miss Caroline Haslett, and at which the following resolution was passed: Resolution Passed at a Conference of British Women's Organizations and Sent to the United Nations Assembly The British women's organizations represented at a conference convened by the British Federation of Business and Professional Women held in London on January 25, 1946: Recognizing the need to provide machinery whereby the principle of the equal rights of men and women reaffirmed in the Charter of the United Nations, and subscribed to by 51 nations may be implemented. Welcome the provision made under Article 68 of the Charter whereby the Economic and Social Council is empowered to set up Commissions in economic and social fields and for the provision of human rights. Urge that under such a Commission on Human Rights a Committee composed of men and women be set up forthwith to draft a Convention to remove the discriminations against women as to their civil and economic status and opportunities wherever they exist and so to implement:-Article 1 (section 3); Article 8; Article 13 (section 1b); Article 55 (section c); Article 76 (section c) of the Charter of the United Nations. Suggesting that in this work the Committee might take note of the work accomplished by the Committee on the Legal Status of Women appointed by the League of Nations in 1938. Sent by The British Federation of Business and Professional Women, 20, Regent Street, London, S. W. 1. January 25, 1946. The resolution was sent in the name of the meeting to the Executive Secretary of U. N. O., to the Prime Minister, and all 1 Source: Women at Work, Spring 1946, p. 19. (Publication of British Federation of Bus iness and Professional Women, London, S. W. 1.) |