Looking Back: A Year for ‘Equality for Women’

From January 1975

Mrs W.D. Hart, National President of the Woman’s Guild, introduces International Women’s Year

The United Nations Assembly, which has always been against discrimination in any form and committed to equal rights for all people, has designated 1975 as International Women’s Year, with the theme of Equality, Development and Peace. The aim is to promote equality between men and women; to ensure the full integration of women in the total development effort and the strengthening of world peace.

Women throughout the world are already making plans for the Year. In Britain, the implementation of the Government’s White Paper, ‘Equality for Women’, will give the Year a political boost, but basically, it is attitudes – of both men and women – that need to be changed. Legal entitlement alone cannot achieve this.

Equal Rights

It must also be recognised that women cannot claim equal rights, without accepting greater responsibilities, and so the emphasis must be on what women can give rather than on what they can get, keeping in mind their supremely important contribution through Christian family life. In this, and every sphere, however, the free and fruitful partnership of men and women working together in harmony is vital, with neither sex being conditioned to stereotyped roles, but all free to be fully human individuals.

The Purpose

At present the full potential of women is not being realised in any sector of society and there are particular areas where real discrimination exists. The main concern must, therefore, be for those who suffer most from this, both at home and overseas, drawing attention to their situation and promoting action to improve it. Projects to help women in the developing countries will feature largely in the plans of many individual organisations.

The Women’s National Commission to whom responsibility for the Year was given by the Government, have set up a United Kingdom Co-ordinating Committee.  A letter has been sent to all the local authorities, explaining the purpose of the Year and asking for their cooperation and a calendar of events planned by individual organisations is issued regularly. An official inaugural function will be held on 15th January at Lancaster House, London.

At a meeting in Edinburgh of 34 different Scottish organisations, representing a wide range of interests and activities. I was appointed Chairman of a Scottish Steering Committee. Subsequently, many other organisations have expressed interest.

Change of Attitude

A national, ecumenical service is to be held in St Giles’ on the 11th May, at which all will be welcome, and an official Reception will be held thereafter at the Castle with the Women’s National Commission as hosts, and guests invited on a national and representative basis.

The significance of the Year however, will not depend on any official function, but on the increased awareness of the situations where discrimination persists; on the cooperative action of men and women in local areas; and on a fundamental change of attitude to the relationship between men and women, enabling all to contribute more effectively to a world in which justice and peace prevail.

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