User:Susannascherer/Domestic containment

Women's Rights Internationally

The Women's Rights Movement became a popular topic during the Cold War Era. In 1947 the UN Commission on the Status of Women was created, also known as the CSW. During this time the progress was heavily influenced on Cold War politics. It was difficult to find a location for the conference because of how Women's Rights were perceived in each country in relation to politics. The United States did not want to hold the conference because "they viewed women's issues in the early 1970s as fronts for communist organizing and agitation" (Ghodsee, 2003). The first World Conference on Women was held in Mexico City in 1975. It was the largest meeting ever at the time to discuss Women's Rights. The major debate at the time was between the United States and the Russians. The United States was pushing for equality, and wanted to discuss all of the pressing issues that surround gender. The Russians were debating from a peace stand point, where they believed they could settle the Cold War in a more peaceful manner then men. Internationally women were more interested in the Russians peace view than the American feminist way. The result of the first International Womens Conference was the Declaration of Mexico City which ruled in favor of the Russians, with 89 Nations in favor. This led to more debate of Womens Rights internationally throughout the Cold War.