Evening star., 1961-12-31
ANWomenMade Gains in 1851
By the Women's Stoff of The Stor

UdIluS, IdIIlueS ana nOIneS BuC 1901 also saw
some marked changes in the status of women
Slowly almost imperceptiby, changes occurred
throughout the world.
Significant to women of the Middle East
unprecedented proposals made in Cairo before the
New Year was barely underway The Ministry of Justice
in the UAR started the off with sweeping provisions
that would greatly enhance the status Of Mosem
The ministry published list of 10 major changes
Egyptian marriage and divorce laws proposed
that were largely the result Of forceul campaign by
Egyptian feminist groups for women's rights
Under the amended law, husband would no longer
be able to get rid of his by simply telling her. II
divorce thee" Instead, he would be required to
this effect the Public Registrar wait
obtain certificate of his intention The ensuing cooling
off period might bring about reconciliation.
Also, still would be permitted four wives but
the sposes would have and important rights advanc
ing their status considerably for example the husband
wished to take second wife, his first wife would have the
right to divorce him. And another revision that got special
support from Egypts feminist leaders that would
require husband to pay all medical expenses incurred by
his wives.
In Japan things were looking up for the little woman"
too along about midsummer. The big for feminsts
centered Premier Hayato Iedas visit to the United
States when he took his wife along Since the first
time japanese Premier had decided take he Mrs with
him to Washington it interpreted significant step
in elevang the status of japanese woman The depar-
ture from precedent thoroughly aired in Japan via
teevision channel with trained the leave
taking at the airport.
New Voters
And in Africa newly enfranchised of the Cam
the forefront steady stream Of voters
marching to the polls February to decide whether the
the CAMERON Republic.
the Southern the majority Of early voters
at the polls women Women in the Northern Cam
eroons comprising nearly half the registered voters turned
out large numbers to exercise their voting rights for
the very first time
Voting rights made among women in the Bahia
too, where the House Of Assembly passed an act
granting them the vote and allowing them to become MEM
of the Assembly This important advancement will
come into force next June.
In Europe, women gained heady triumph in Bonn
when the government appointed its first woman to head
a Dr.
who was named Minister of Public Health.
THE important thing" she said Of her appointment,
is that gentlemen in the government have finally
accepted the view Of friends and that there should
be woman in the government. They won't regret it,,
she vowed.
satisfying stepping stone to womens emancipation
in Spain conceded when laws were approved by
the Spanish Parliament in July, opening up wide range
of jobs for for the first time The latter covered
everything from bus conductors to ambassadors and in
cuded many posts in the public administration.
The laws also shook masculine supremacy in
Spain by curbng the husbands former sweeping
his wife Until this Spanish wife needed her
husbands signature to obtain passport even to sell
any part property the husbands authority
is taken for granted with this exceptonf he originates
an objection his wife has right take her
In Indonesa President sukarno was rallyng women
to support socialism with promises Of utopia complete
with husband and modern kitchen for every woman His
theme being echoed by his cabinet aides while Rus
sian Abulgan, vice chairman of the Supreme Advisory
Council assuring the women that capitalist society
destroys family life
American Mothers
Refutng their theme IN this country a rev months
later was announcement making national headlines
of Mrs Louise Sewer Gddngs Currey of Lookout Noun
tain, Tenn. the American Mother Of 1861. She was
cited for rearing her own six chdrenncluding home
tutoring of four for yearsand for her work
foster mother to hundreds of dependent dequent chill
dren. regardless of race creed.
In Saigon $500 women military reservss packing
pistols at practice range at Thu Military School
part of a special two-month for looking
toward their possible in the fight against Communist
rebels.
In Russia the draft program of the Communist Party
AnnnI
other things stated must be given relatively lighter
and yet sufficiently we'll paid jobs 1t also said the unequal
position of domestic life must be totally elm
mated 1t made promises for the tomorrows of
domestic machinery appliances and electrical devices to
tighten the domestic work of women.
Russia too while drafting that program, the party
dropped its one woman member of the party's ruling
presdum repeatedly abolished her Ministry Of Culture
United States, President Kennedys first year in
office included the naming of Esther Peterson Assistant
Labor Secretary the highest womans appointment in his
administration.
The first year 1861 President Kennedy taking
action to of full opportunity for selection and
the Federal service by creating
cia Presidents Commission the Status of Women. He
Eleanor Roosevelt chairman Of the 26mem
ber commission and directed the complete its work
and publish report by october, 1868.
Within five days after his announcement the Civil
Service Commission launched equality drive for women
Government workers The csc ordered Government de-
parments and agencies to give specific reasons in cases
where bypassed in favor OF men for Federal
obs and promotions The event. wrote The Stars Federal
Spotlight Writer Joseph Young could herald
for women in Government
In California woman bank publicist, tested the
States equal pay under law provision and She in
voked successfully the 1949 California equal statute
winning her in the State Division Of Industrial Wei
fare charged that her monthly salary at the bank
was $25 than that Of two fellow publcists
men-n the department She quit her job before the
case The State directed the bank to
her $43O-the total salary differental for two months
Arising in Washington in 1861 was group Of women
who into the news calling themselves the Wonent
Strike for Peace" Mrs Dagmar Wilson, chdren's book
illustrator of Georgetown originated the idea and began
the movement in her home She said they were an in
formally organized group with no leader chairman.
1t began in the last week of October The march tt
the Soviet Embassy White House took place Novem
ber with the picketing the edfces and dropping
off petition-eer Mrs Kennedy and Mrs KhrushcheN
calling for ban-thebomb movement They also partc