US Embassy Despatches on PKI Tactics and the SOBSI Women's Labour Seminar, May 1961
US Embassy Djakarta despatches to the State Department, May 1961. One reports conservative views (Mohammad Roem) that the PKI won a limited victory by gaining legal recognition. The other reports the SOBSI National Seminar on Labouring Women (Jakarta, 11-14 May 1961), attended by Djuanda and Gerwani central board membe
NPC delegation meets Indonesian peace activists (Renmin Ribao, 17 August 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 17 Aug 1961, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): a Chinese NPC delegation led by Guo Moruo meets Indonesian peace activists at the home of Peace Committee chair Mrs Hidajat; both sides denounce imperialism. Umi Sardjono, named as Gerwani chair and MP, is among those present, with Friendship Association leaders. A sec
NPC delegation meets Indonesian peace activists (Renmin Ribao, 17 August 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 17 Aug 1961, p. 6 (Xinhua, Jakarta): a Chinese NPC delegation led by Guo Moruo meets Indonesian peace activists at the home of Peace Committee chair Mrs Hidajat; both sides denounce imperialism. Umi Sardjono, named as Gerwani chair and MP, is among those present, with Friendship Association leaders. A sec
Indonesian women's delegation arrives in Beijing (Renmin Ribao, 26 September 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 26 Sep 1961, p. 5 (Xinhua): a five-member Indonesian women's delegation led by Mrs Rusiah Sardjono arrives in Beijing by train at the All-China Women's Federation's invitation, met by Shi Liang and Burhan; it had earlier visited Guangzhou, Shanghai and Nanjing. Gerwani is not named in the text.
Indonesian women's delegation arrives in Beijing (Renmin Ribao, 26 September 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 26 Sep 1961, p. 5 (Xinhua): a five-member Indonesian women's delegation led by Mrs Rusiah Sardjono arrives in Beijing by train at the All-China Women's Federation's invitation, met by Shi Liang and Burhan; it had earlier visited Guangzhou, Shanghai and Nanjing. Gerwani is not named in the text.
US Embassy Reports on Women's Organizations and Friendship-Society Regulation, Oct 1961
US Embassy Djakarta despatches, Oct 1961: transmittal of the July 1961 war-administrator regulation on international friendship societies, and the report 'Role of Women in Indonesia: Women's Organizations' with a memorandum of conversation with Maria Ulfah Santoso (8 March 1961) and biographic notes. It describes Gerwa
He Xiangning receives the Indonesian women's delegation (Renmin Ribao, 1 October 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 1 Oct 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua): NPC Standing Committee vice-chair He Xiangning receives the Indonesian women's delegation led by Mrs Rusiah Sardjono, and the wife of Foreign Ministry secretary-general Suwito and her son. Brief courtesy-call notice; Gerwani not named.
He Xiangning receives the Indonesian women's delegation (Renmin Ribao, 1 October 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 1 Oct 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua): NPC Standing Committee vice-chair He Xiangning receives the Indonesian women's delegation led by Mrs Rusiah Sardjono, and the wife of Foreign Ministry secretary-general Suwito and her son. Brief courtesy-call notice; Gerwani not named.
Greeting from Gerwani to the Dutch women's meeting on New Guinea
De Waarheid, 28 Nov 1961, p. 3: report of an NVB (Dutch women's) meeting where the peaceful settlement of New Guinea was top of the programme. A highlight was a greeting from Gerwani, described as a 900,000-member Indonesian women's organisation, saying Indonesian and Dutch women are closely linked in protecting childr
International solidarity: Gerwani's greeting quoted to the Dutch women's movement
De Waarheid, 28 Nov 1961, p. 3: one-paragraph quote from Gerwani's greeting to the Dutch women's movement (NVB): Indonesian mothers organised in Gerwani will never forget the NVB's consistent help and solidarity in the struggle to liberate West Irian. Companion to the 'Begroeting Gerwani' item.
Guo Jian and others leave for Indonesia (Renmin Ribao, 6 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 6 Dec 1961, p. 4 (Xinhua): Guo Jian, secretary of the All-China Women's Federation, and Zhang Jiexun leave Beijing for Jakarta at Gerwani's invitation to attend its Fourth Congress. Short departure notice.
Guo Jian and others leave for Indonesia (Renmin Ribao, 6 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 6 Dec 1961, p. 4 (Xinhua): Guo Jian, secretary of the All-China Women's Federation, and Zhang Jiexun leave Beijing for Jakarta at Gerwani's invitation to attend its Fourth Congress. Short departure notice.
Chinese women's federation delegation arrives in Jakarta (Renmin Ribao, 12 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 12 Dec 1961, p. 3: the All-China Women's Federation delegation led by Guo Jian arrived in Jakarta on 9 December, invited to Gerwani's Fourth National Congress opening on 14 December. Short notice.
Chinese women's federation delegation arrives in Jakarta (Renmin Ribao, 12 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 12 Dec 1961, p. 3: the All-China Women's Federation delegation led by Guo Jian arrived in Jakarta on 9 December, invited to Gerwani's Fourth National Congress opening on 14 December. Short notice.
ANP news report, 16 December 1961 (Indonesia: military)
ANP radio bulletin, 16 Dec 1961: a two-line fragment saying a minister spoke at a conference of the Indonesian women's organisation Gerwani about measures against the Dutch, with banners in Yogyakarta demanding Western New Guinea. Evidence of Gerwani's role in the West Irian campaign.
Subandrio again threatens action
Leeuwarder Courant, 16 December 1961, p. 8: short report that Indonesian defence minister Subandrio, speaking at a Gerwani conference, said Indonesia would have to resort to military confrontation if the Netherlands grants Western New Guinea independence, while saying Indonesia is for peace. The paper calls Gerwani a '
Gerwani holds congress; Sukarno calls for unity to recover West Irian (Renmin Ribao, 16 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 16 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Gerwani's Fourth National Congress opens on 14 Dec with over 400 delegates; Umi Sardjono's opening address stresses the 1945 revolution's aims and West Irian. Guests include Chinese, Soviet and East German delegations, Aidit and PNI's Sidik. Sukarno speaks, rejecting '
Gerwani holds congress; Sukarno calls for unity to recover West Irian (Renmin Ribao, 16 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 16 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Gerwani's Fourth National Congress opens on 14 Dec with over 400 delegates; Umi Sardjono's opening address stresses the 1945 revolution's aims and West Irian. Guests include Chinese, Soviet and East German delegations, Aidit and PNI's Sidik. Sukarno speaks, rejecting '
Tomorrow in Yogyakarta: Sukarno's 'last order' on West New Guinea
De Nieuwe Limburger, 18 Dec 1961: Foreign Minister Subandrio, speaking at a Gerwani conference, says Indonesia would have to act militarily if the Dutch grant independence to a 'Papua state'; Sukarno's 'last order' on West New Guinea is due 19 December (the Trikora). Shows Gerwani as a platform for the West Irian confr
Sukarno orders preparation to liberate West Irian; Gerwani congress closes (Renmin Ribao, 20 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 20 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua): leading item on Sukarno's 19 Dec Yogyakarta 'Order to the People' (Trikora). A Jakarta item reports Gerwani's Fourth Congress closing 17 Dec: West Irian resolution, UN telegram for PRC's seat, Aidit's greetings, Guo Jian's speech, a new Central Committee under Umi Sardjono, and
Sukarno orders preparation to liberate West Irian; Gerwani congress closes (Renmin Ribao, 20 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 20 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua): leading item on Sukarno's 19 Dec Yogyakarta 'Order to the People' (Trikora). A Jakarta item reports Gerwani's Fourth Congress closing 17 Dec: West Irian resolution, UN telegram for PRC's seat, Aidit's greetings, Guo Jian's speech, a new Central Committee under Umi Sardjono, and
Sukarno chairs Joint Chiefs; Indonesians join volunteer forces for West Irian (Renmin Ribao, 30 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 30 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Sukarno takes the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the West Irian operation and orders National Front registration of volunteers aged 18-40 of either sex. Railway workers pledge 60,000 volunteers; Gerwani, 'the most influential women's organisation', calls on all
Sukarno chairs Joint Chiefs; Indonesians join volunteer forces for West Irian (Renmin Ribao, 30 December 1961)
Renmin Ribao, 30 Dec 1961, p. 3 (Xinhua, Jakarta): Sukarno takes the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the West Irian operation and orders National Front registration of volunteers aged 18-40 of either sex. Railway workers pledge 60,000 volunteers; Gerwani, 'the most influential women's organisation', calls on all
US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1961-62): Fourth Gerwani Congress
Short US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey extract (1961-62) on the Fourth Congress of Gerwani (Jakarta, 14-17 Dec 1961), with an address by Sukarno. Reports 1,120,594 members and branches in 22 provinces, state support (Social Welfare funds, city rice), and educational work: 46,785 registered in literacy courses (25,166
CIA memorandum, 15 August 1962: The communist movement in Indonesia
CIA memorandum, 15 August 1962, surveying organised communism in Indonesia; Gerwani has one entry (claimed 800,000 members, WIDF affiliate, valued as propaganda instrument). Gives US estimates of PKI front strength.
US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1962): Gerwani telegram to Sukarno
US Monthly Indonesian Press Survey (1962) extract: the Gerwani central executive council sends a telegram to Sukarno opposing draft legislation on compulsory preliminary people's defence training for 12-15 year olds, warning it would implant a 'militaristic spirit' as in Germany and Japan, and saying scouts and basic e
WIDF World Gathering of Women for Disarmament, Vienna 1962: participants list
WIDF proceedings of the World Gathering of Women for Disarmament, Vienna, 23-25 March 1962 (300 women, 59 countries): Eugenie Cotton's introductory report, adopted appeals, and a list of participants. The Asia section lists two delegates 'representing the Indonesian Women's Movement (GERWANI)': Mrs Ana Abdulrachman and
Dilemmas of Indonesian Communism (van der Kroef, 1962)
Article by Justus M. van der Kroef (Pacific Affairs, summer 1962) on the PKI's dilemmas under Guided Democracy: dependence on Sukarno, the July 1960 'Evaluation' clash with the army, and the party's use of mass fronts. Gerwani is named as the PKI's women's front: its organ was aggressive without censure in 1961, and in
Recognise the Indonesian just claim: Unite to build friendship!
Tribune (Sydney), 10 Jan 1962, p. 1 front-page editorial backing Sukarno's proclamation of West Irian as an Indonesian province and attacking the Menzies government and ALP leader Calwell. Gerwani appears only in a photo caption: delegates welcome Sukarno at the opening night in Jakarta of the recent Gerwani National C
Recognise the Indonesian just claim: Unite to build friendship!
Tribune (Sydney), 10 Jan 1962, p. 1 front-page editorial backing Sukarno's proclamation of West Irian as an Indonesian province and attacking the Menzies government and ALP leader Calwell. Gerwani appears only in a photo caption: delegates welcome Sukarno at the opening night in Jakarta of the recent Gerwani National C