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2. To respect and apply the principle of woman's liberty to dispose of herself in marriage.
3. To suppress the traffic in women, girls and children of both sexes, and its corollary, the licensed houses of ill-fame.
- N o t e. A clause regarding the suppression of the White Slave Traffic has been included in the Covenant.
III. SUFFRAGE.
Whereas the Peace Conference concerns the whole human race, as well women as men, and that from this Conference we trust there will issue the reign of lasting Peace and the recognition of the right of peoples to a free self-domination; and
Whereas no one can esteem himself authorised to speak in the name of the peoples so long as women, who constitute half the human race, are excluded from the political life of the nations; and
Whereas those women, who lack the suffrage, are without a voice in the Government of their country, and it is profoundly unjust that they can take no part in discussions which may issue in peace or war, decision determining a future of which they, without a share in the responsibility, must bear the consequences; and
Whereas, though not combatants, they play an essential part in war, by giving their sons for the defence of their country, they furnish what may be called "human material"; and
Whereas, on the other hand, women have, during the war, shown the value of their work and their social activity; and
Whereas the participation of mothers and wives in the suffrage would be one of the best guarantees for future peace; and
Whereas the status of women has ever been recognised as the criterion of civilisation and freedom in states;
The Internationa] Council of Women and the Conference of Women Suffragists of the Allied Countries and the United States petition as follows:
1. That the principle of Women's Suffrage be recognised by the Peace Conference and the League of Nations in order that it may be applied throughout the world as soon as the civilisation and the democratie development of each state may permit.
2. That in any Referendum which may be taken to decide the nationality of a country, women shall, equally with men, be consulted as to the fate of their country.
- Note. A clause has been made to give effect to No. 2.
IV. EDUCATION.
Whereas a League of Nations should not only be an instrument of Peace but also an instrument of civilization; and
Whereas for the maintenance of the League of Nations it is essential to teach children from an early age to understand its usefulness and iets benefits and to respect its aims; and
Whereas the true freedom of men and women can only be gained by a liberal and democratie education, open to all citizens alike;
The International Council of Women and the Conference of Women Suffragists of the Allied Countries and the United States petition as follows:
That a provision be made in the Covenant of the League of Nations for an international Bureau of Education, the High Contracting Parties endeavouring to make the aims and methods of their educational systems consistent with the general principles underlying the League of Nations; and to this end agreeing to establish as part of the organisation a permanent Bureau of Education.
V. HYGIENE.
In view of the vital importance of questions of Hygiene and their bearing upon present world conditions,
The International Council of Women and the Conference of Women Suffragists of the Allied Countries and the United States petition as follows:
That provision be made in the Covenant of the League of Nations for an International Bureau of Hygiene.
- Note. Negotiations are in process with the Red Cross regarding an Int. Bureau of Hygiene.
The speakers on these subjects were:
Mrs. Corbett Ashby and Miss S. Margery Fry, Great Britain.
