p We have tried in general terms to examine the status of woman in modern society, noting the most important problems which are today being faced by women and by the body of international public opinion which is fighting for the solution of these problems.

p Despite the diversity of national and regional conditions and the specific problems of the position and struggle of women in countries on different continents, there is still a clear tendency for the role of woman in modern society to be increasing. This is promoted by a whole series of objective and subjective factors: the example of socialist countries, the demand for economic and social development, the influence of the scientific and technological revolution, the success by the world’s working-class and general democratic movement in emancipating women, the desire of women themselves to take an active part in the life of society, and so on.

p In the USSR and other socialist countries where the working class has won political power 332 the real equality of women with men is guaranteed in all areas of life.

p No radical change in the status of women is possible, and neither can they be truly liberated under capitalism with the private ownership of the implements and means of production, as is shown by the experience of historical development. In the conditions of capitalism the progressive forces and women themselves can achieve, and indeed do achieve, merely the satisfaction of concrete, partial demands. A certain extension of women’s rights in capitalist countries, being an important achievement of the working people, increases women’s political activeness, but the power of the monopolies is a considerable brake on the emancipation of women.

p There is a direct link between the struggle against monopolies and the struggle for the liberation of women and women’s actions in demanding their socio-economic rights are closely bound up with their participation in the antiimperialist movement and in the movement for peace. The peaceful coexistence of states with different socio-economic systems is an essential condition for the solution of vital social problems which concern a woman as mother, worker and citizen. Women’s activity in opposing war forms the basis of the growth of women’s antiimperialist movement which brings together women of the most diverse social strata, women belonging to various parties, or none at all, believers and atheists, all women who are interested in the preservation of peace on Earth and in the social progress of their own countries.

The international democratic women’s movement, with its nucleus of working-class women, is an important detachment of the forces of 333 anti-imperialism in the fight for peace, democracy and socialism. For this reason the communist and workers’ movement pays them the most keen attention. Communist parties, following Leninist theory, work untiringly to extend the ranks of the women’s movement and to strengthen its unity, and they are striving to collaborate with other political forces on various questions connected with the status of women. Communists link their final ends with the full liberation of woman. The full liberation of women and the cause of socialism are inseparable.