Backlash feared

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33981, 23 October 1975, Page 2

Backlash feared

(N.Z. Press Association) , > AUCKLAND, ’ October 22. More interest was cre- .' ated by International Women's Year than any , other similar project of the United Nations, said Mrs M. J. Bruce, deputy secretary-general for ■ I.W.Y. with the United Nations, in Auckland to- > day. But although it had been a success there was a danger ! of a backlash and of men > saying. “You have had your jyear, now go back.” she said. i “Women wilt have to keep l

■ pushing. What the United 'Nations can do is somewhat ! limited because you have to work through individual governments. “We have had to approach this issue in terms that will appeal to governments, and in order to do that you have to have the kind of data to convince economists that it ’ is important economically to improve the role of women. “There is a global plan of action, but it is really up to the country concerned, and the women, to demand that . national programmes and commissions be started.” Mrs Bruce said it was felt that in Western countries i'women needed them less.

1, "But in many of the t, developing countries women yare slaving away and yet they l.are not really productive because they do not have r tools or training. And then 1 if these come, the men take 1 them over. 5 “This issue is often ) regarded as middle-class, t perhaps because the leaders ) are more educated. “But in some countries f I.W.Y. has reached out to > the rural areas, particularly i in Africa.” t Mrs Bruce added that the i symbol of I.W.Y. had helped in carrying the message, as tit had been printed on s material and used in, (jewellery. j