Social Work Scope Extended in India

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 67, 11 December 1937, Page 18

Social Work Scope Extended in India

BOMBAY — The All Iudia Women *s Conference is planning the opening of its own office in Delhi, TMs announcement is a bold one because, so far, Indian women do not possess sufficient funds to launch their venture. But the fact does not dismay them in the least. The office, they explain, is necessary, and therefore the office must appear. The All India Women 's Conference is 11 years old now, and each year that has passed since its formation has seen the worlc it has been able to do for the social and educational betterment of the vast country broaden and take root. But the drawback has been that its activities have always been earried forward by volunteers, and that, as it ohas grown, it has become more and' more difficult for women, burdened often .with home and business ties, .to direct it. Matters have reached a point now, the women declare, when at least one whole time paid worker • and at least one clerk should be placed in charge of the secretarial work, and at least one paid organizing secretary should be appointed who will be able to devote her time to the opening of new" branches and the revival of old ones where, for lack of competent handling, conference activities have been on the wane. A further reason for planning the new office is afforded by the fact that 56 women are now members of the Indian Legislative Cjuncils and Assemblies, and that tbcse women, if they are to be truly reprasentative of their sex, must be kept constantly supplied, with information in regard to women. No. body of persons is so well able to keep them in toueh as is the Women 's Conference, and therefore the conference must be prepared. Moreover, Indian women are keenly alive to the wisdom of making themselves acquainted with what is taking place in the economic, legal, educational and political lives of the women of other parts of the world, and they intend, on this account, to turn their new office not merely into a centre for Indian information, but into a centre where international information as it concerns women may be made available.

Only such workers as are "actuated by the spirit of service" will be employed in tbe new office, the women explain, and these will be asked to accept no more than a living wage. It is expeeted that, once the heavier burden of organization is shouldered by salar* ied workers, volunteers will flock to the shouldering of lesser responsibilities, and the whole movement will press forward.