WOMEN EMPIRE-BUILDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 17

WOMEN EMPIRE-BUILDERS.

A GROWING FORCE.

Tho growth of women's influence in Empire affairs has been a feature reflected at many important functions in London of late, states an overseas writer. Tho receptions held by tho Royal Empiro and African Societies, the Empiro Servico League's conference, tho British Indian Union's luncheon and tho Nigerian, Malayan and East African annual dinners havo alike been notable for their imposing numbers of women guests, whoso names are linked with great social and industrial advances throughout tho Empire. In all tho colonies and Dominions women aro successfully grappling with problems on which tho future of tho Empiro, tho welfaro of its peoples and tho prosperity of its commerco and industries depend. Their work, in which every woman may join, is now receiving tho accolade of official mention in colonial and Dominion reports, and is, perhaps, best instanced in corners of the Empiro whero inter racial intorests presont many complex problems not yet too happily solved by men.

In India,. where, as Professor Venkatcswara says, women's work is "ono round of self-denial and social service, tho coping-stone of India's structural edifice," women's organisations, such as the Lady Chelmsford League, aro breaking down barriers which custom, language, ignorance and hostility erect in the path of progress. They aro marking the dawn of a new era for the women of India.

Education in Hoalth. This league has opened health schools and training centres for hoalth visitors )u many districts. And it wages a vigorous educational campaign with pamphlets, posters, lectures, cinema shows and travelling child and maternity welfaro exhibitions, as well as by practical medical and hygiene work. In Lahore alone it has veduced infant mortality from 202 per 1000 down to 96. On similar lines tho Countess of Dufferin's Fund and the Women's Medical Service have brought medical and obstct ric aid to purdah women, have opened dispensaries, clinics and hospitals throughout India, and have trained thousands of women as doctors, nurses and midwives for work among tho people. On the industrial side child employment in factories has been tackled and reduced by more than 14,000, or 16 per "cent., in three years. But it is in education that most marvellous progress has been made. In 1909 less than 600,000 Indian prls received any education. To-day 1,600,000 receive primary education and 200,000 attend secondary schools. And the All-India Women's Conference, attended by over 1000 women of every community, creed and race, is now urging the Government to mako education for all Indian girls compulsory. War on Witchcraft.

In Africa women aro also making Empire history. Kenya has its East African Women's League, with over 1000 members, who work to uphold white prestige and improve native conditions. They have promoted laws concerning native servants, undosirablo films and social vice. They have established restrooms and libraries, encouraged native education and hygiene, havo helped tho Girl Guide, Bed Cross and sister movements, and are now training nurses for welfare. Lady Grigg's welfare leaguo works for natives and is about to open a new hospital fcr Indian women living in Kenya. In Uganda women havo dono wonderful work to fight- witchcraft, a cause of the high child and maternal mortality rate. Ono trained native girl, Zeruiya, latoly returned to Her savage tribe, has taught white hygiene to such effect that in nine months sho has treated 8356 native patients, attended 38 confinements a> 1 helped to bring into tho world"32 health) babies.

This is Empire-liuilding in its truest sense. It is work in which every woman whose heart is in the welfaro of our great Empire may take an active part, through the many societies and leagues at Homo whose activities link up with tliis great work of our patriotic countrywomen overseas.