Gerwani congress: forced marriages must be abolished in modern Indonesia
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-11-30, p. 2): two-day congress of Gerwani's Bandung branch ('formerly Gerwis') sends sympathy to Maisoeri, a sixteen-year-old in South Sumatra jailed for refusing a forced marriage to a sixty-year-old, and calls for abolishing forced marriages. It also demands bans on 'modern dances' and
Tens of thousands gathered in Djakarta: resolution demands unilateral incorporation of Irian
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1954-12-06, p. 2): tens of thousands rally on Merdeka Square, Jakarta, organised by the West Irian Liberation Committee with women's organisations. Speakers include Perwari chair Mrs. Kartowijono and Mrs. Sardjono of Gerwani, who reads the resolution demanding unilateral incorporation of West
Solidarity with strikers at Public Works
Brief Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1955-08-13, p. 2): during the Public Works workers' strike, the women's organisation Gerwani declared solidarity with the strikers, as did the metalworkers' union SBIM and the SOBSI branch in Bandung.
A village cast its vote
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad reportage (1955-09-30, p. 2) from the village of Tjoblong-Sekeloa, Bandung, on the 29 September 1955 election: 1,147 voters at a bamboo polling place. A child-minding and first-aid post near the booths is run by a committee of eleven women: one from Muslimat, two from Wanita Demokrat and eight
With the Constituent Assembly in sight: Gerwani announces demands on marriage regulation
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1955-12-29, p. 3): ahead of the Constituent Assembly, Gerwani's central board announces its marriage-law programme: abolish feudal, forced, child and purchase marriages and concubinage; equal rights for spouses; in principle ban polygamy, or if allowed on religious grounds regulate it by law (
Rights
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad sidebar 'Rechten' (1955-12-29, p. 3) from the Gerwani marriage-law announcement: spouses should have equal rights and freedom to choose occupation and social activity; no distinction between adopted and stepchildren; children born out of wedlock to be legally protected.
Conditions
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad sidebar 'Voorwaarden' (1955-12-29, p. 3) listing Gerwani's conditions for marriage: free choice of spouse, minimum ages of 18 for men and 15 for women, a ban on marriage between direct blood relatives, compulsory registration, with religious or adat ceremonies still allowed.
Work conference of Gerwani
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad notice (1956-01-18, p. 2): the Krawang branch of Gerwani will hold a work conference on Friday to discuss its 1956 activities, attended by Ibu Sutarsih of the West Java board.
P.K.I. (list of PKI candidates)
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1956-03-02, p. 2): list of PKI candidates by electoral district across East Java, Central Java, West Java, Greater Jakarta and Sumatra. It includes women: Umi Sardjono (Mrs. Sukisman), Suharti Suwarto (Solo), Mudigdio (Siti Aminah Mochsjam, Jakarta), Sundari Abdulrachman (Semarang), Salawati D
Dulles in Djakarta: 'Our joint effort will one day lead to a better world'
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1956-03-13, p. 1): US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles arrives in Jakarta; a score of demonstrators shout 'Hapuskan SEATO'. A 25-year-old woman, Samsia, a member of Gerwani ('a communist-minded women's organisation'), threw a red anti-SEATO pamphlet into his car and was arrested for quest
Gerwani's objections
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1956-03-13, p. 1): the Gerwani central board issues a statement objecting to John Foster Dulles's visit, his interference and his push for Indonesia to join SEATO, which it says contradicts the Bandung (Afro-Asian) Conference decisions on peace and friendship.
Appreciation from Gerwani
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1956-03-28, p. 2): Gerwani's West Java branch publishes an open letter praising the police over the Tengku Angkasa affair, but argues prostitution persists while foreign capital controls resources and prices rise. It urges police to support the people's struggle against foreign capital and for
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1956-04-17, p. 2): Umi Sardjono, MP of the Pembangun faction, speaks in parliament on the lot of Indonesian women, who lack marriage legislation protection, and appeals for national marriage legislation in the short term.
Kartini committee in Rangkasbitung
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1956-04-20, p. 2): in Rangkasbitung a Kartini committee is formed with Hartati (Gerwani) as chairwoman and all women's organisations taking part; Kartini Day events from 21 April include a health campaign and a commemoration speech. A second item reports a school and meeting hall built by comm
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1956-04-20, p. 3): Mrs. Umi Sardjono (Pembangunan faction) again raises marriage in parliament, hoping for a legal marriage regulation soon and a closer study of adat law in the various regions of Indonesia.
Bandung in brief: Gerwani reception
Short Algemeen Indisch Dagblad item (1957-01-02): to conclude its regional congress, Gerwani will hold a reception on 3 January at 19.30 at the Gedung Jajasan in Bandung, at which the congress decisions will be announced.
PKI protest over arrests in Minahassa
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1957-08-29, p. 3): the PKI central committee publishes North Sulawesi branch protest against arrests in Minahasa starting 20 July 1957 (about 30 detained, mostly PKI) and the sealing of the Manado PKI office. Listed detainees include Karel Supit and Mrs. Wuntu-Ottay of the Gerwani leadership i
In an alley of Kebon Sirih
Photo caption item in Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1957-09-09, p. 2): municipal councillors investigate living conditions of low-end sex workers in an alley of Kebon Sirih, Jakarta. Two women councillors speak with the women: Mrs. Musmini (Gerwani) standing left and Mrs. Amartiwi Saleh (PSI) in the middle.
General debates on normalisation of the country's situation
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad (1957-09-28, p. 2): continuation of the parliamentary debate on normalisation after the national conference, with seven speakers. Mrs. Umi Sardjono (Pembangunan) calls the result a positive principle showing the government's authority, but doubts it can be realised while arbitrary arrests and b
Bandung in brief
Algemeen Indisch Dagblad 'Bandung in short' column (1957-10-19, p. 2) of local news. Relevant: Gerwani, which now has fifteen kindergartens across West Java, has begun a one-month emergency course to train teaching staff, with theory taught by Miss Sri Sulistiewaty of IPPI. Other items cover rice distribution, a Red Cr