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U K R A I N I A N W O M A N OUR ENGLISH COLUMN Jean Wolcott Piper Women's Organizations in USSR Here and there women’s orga nizations are mentioned in USSR. On official occasions a woman de legate often accompanies repre sentatives of different institu tions; sometimes these “official” women even organize a meeting with a prominent guest. During Eleanor Roosevelt’s tour in USSR a group of distinguished Soviet women met her, claiming to be representatives of a nation-wide women’s organization. The word “organization” is in correct in this connection. An ar- ganization is a group of people who unite for a common pur pose. Their united efforts are voluntary; their leaders elected by themselves; and, the manage ment controlled by a special com mittee. The duration of member ship is optional with the member. And, he has his duties as well as rights, which are regulated by by-laws. In Soviet Russia this type of organization does not ex ist. The women’s organization in USSR called officially Women’s Council has no likeness to this conception. As in other fields, here also the people are not al lowed to unite freely. The Wom en’s Councils are created by the mandate of the Communist Par ty; and their Branches are locat ed in economic or administrative units — at industrial plants, col lectives, or other state-controlled institutions. The leaders of the Women’s Council are appointed through Party organs, and their selections confirmed by formally- controlled elections. What is the purpose of these Women’s Councils? In this com munistic society, where each wo man is treated on equal terms with men, and with her own spe cific task in building up of this society a special approach is not necessary. It is an outgrowth of the circumstances of present-day Communist life, with its main goal to draw as many women as possible into the building up of this society. The avowed purpose of the Women’s Councils changes because of varied and momentary requests of the Soviet “line.” If there is a shortage of mining workers, the Women’s Councils immediately preach of the readi ness for the work of Soviet wo men, and the importance of coal production. A shortage of quali fied workers on collective farms, and the Women’s Councils praise the profession of tractor drivers as most becoming to young girls. In short the Women’s Council is like unto a chameleon assuming an affinity with any circumstanc es, actual or artificial. Recently, in the Women’s Council report of neiw activities, published in the magazine “Rady- anska Zhinka,” Feb. 2, 1958, is a description of the work of a W o men’s Council in the management of the apartment houses in the Pechersk region of Kiev. Accord ing to the report members of this Council gave special attention to children in their region. They fol lowed their school reports and be havior, and advised their parents in educational difficulties. This is of course an intolerable inquisi torial act designed for the .purpose of the state. Other members as sumed tasks in party propaganda, and called on the people in their homes to discuss the matter there — thus stripping them of the last vestiges of that ancient right — “Every man’s house is his castle.” To us this notice came as a terrible shock because of its dou ble meaning. To even the most sheltered mind its meaning was clear — that the members of the Women’s Council are state-ap pointed agents with the right to invade any home and interfere with the educational plans of .pa rents for their children, and also compel them to listen to Soviet propaganda. They ran control, or eliminate, any religious practices a family may observe. By this in fernal process they know exactly the mental attitude of anyone, pa rent or child in each family, and the entire area thereabouts to ward Soviet life. In case the Council member finds it neces sary, she can bring them sharply into the Soviet “line.” In other days, when Russia oppressed the Baltic countries, the people there kept alive, in their darkened basements, by a solitary candle, in whispers, their language and their faith. But today, to the So viet rulers there is no nethermost spot un-inspected or uncontrolled by them. This state of affairs is the epitome of hell. As the range and power of the Women’s Councils broadens, the woman and mother, under the Soviet regime, is ho longer the serenely poised mistress of her home and her children. Rather she is the physical vehicle through which the children and the home are created, for the sole purpose of serving the state. Viewed in its, true light the Women’s Coun cil is not an organization. It is a privately chosen women’s division devoted to governmental supervi sion, and the spuring of the peo ple for Communist goals. Don’t forget to renew your subscription for OUR LIFE Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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