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
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.
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.
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.