"This pamphlet was produced at the request of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and the Economic and Social Council (of the United Nations)...It was written primarily for the use of leaders responsible for the civic and political education of women, whether governmental or non-governmental, and is intended as a basic document for such persons." It includes several descriptive chapters on certain factors (Such as health, economics, and marriage customs) which influence the status of women in various societies, and on ways of increasing women's participation in public life through national or local projects and through the programs of the various United Nations agencies (UNESCO, FAO, UNICEF, etc.) The annexes (appendixes) of the document include examples of techniques for the civic and political education of women; the Convention on the Political Rights of Women (1952) and information on its signatories; tables of information on the political rights of women, analyzed by country; bibliographical material; and a list of organizations interested in women's rights. (mf)