Two committees in Yogyakarta for 17 August
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (31 Jul 1951): on SOBSI's initiative a "17 August" committee was formed in Yogyakarta with trade unions, Front Pemuda, PKI, PSII, Murba, BTI and Gerwis, as an alternative to the city administration's committee, which SOBSI said would only "celebrate a feast".
Pancasila proves a hindrance: Gerwis explains adoption of People's Democracy
De Vrije Pers report (12 Feb 1952) on a Gerwis meeting explaining its adoption of "People's Democracy" instead of Pancasila as its basis, since Pancasila had hampered organising. Speakers (Miss Moedjiati, Miss Muninggar) described anti-imperialist, anti-feudal aims, a national front against the RTC, and insisted Gerwis
International Women's Day in Surabaya: women's federation meeting
Short De Vrije Pers notice (7 Mar 1952) that International Women's Day would be marked in Surabaya by the Gabungan Organisasi Wanita Surabaya, which includes Gerwis, Perwari, Christian and other women's groups at the regent's pendopo, while Chinese women's organisations held separate events.
International Children's Day committee in Surabaya
De Vrije Pers notice (21 May 1952): a committee of women's and youth organisations was set up to commemorate Children's Day on 1 June (called "communist" by the paper), chaired by Mrs Mh. Tana of Gerwis, with Miss Marlijah (RKKS) and Mrs Mudjinah (Perwari); events include a reception and a children's gathering at the P
Imperialists and prostitution: Gerwis public meeting at East Java conference
De Vrije Pers report (2 Aug 1952) on a public meeting during the Gerwis East Java conference in Surabaya. Miss Sulami explained Gerwis as anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist, opposed the widows' pension rule as promoting polygamy, blamed polygamy on the lack of a marriage law and prostitution on imperialist-caused pov
Surabaya day and night: Gerwis meeting on Peking delegation experiences
Surabaya local-news column in De Vrije Pers (30 Jan 1953); only one item concerns Gerwis: its Surabaya branch announced a meeting on 1 Feb at the Kabupaten pendopo to explain the organisation's aims and the experiences of its delegation to Peking.
To the congress in Denmark: delegation chosen for Copenhagen
Aneta report in De Vrije Pers (7 Apr 1953): at a Gerwis-initiated meeting of women's organisations (2-3 April, Jakarta) it was decided to send a delegation to the WIDF women's congress in Denmark in June. Delegates include S.K. Trimurti, Kandjinah and Maasje Siwi of Gerwis, plus Wanita Demokrat and others.
New demonstrations in West Java? Delegation presents open letter to Sukarno
Aneta report in De Vrije Pers (16 Jul 1953) that a delegation of parties and groups (PPDI, Partai Buruh, PNI, PKI, Gerwis, Permai) which demonstrated in Bandung met Sukarno to present an open letter urging a decree declaring Darul Islam bands terrorists to be destroyed. The Badan Kontak Nasional demanded a progressive
Other trade unions: Sarbupri strike and BTI congress solidarity
De Vrije Pers fragment (17 Sep 1953) on trade-union reactions to the Sarbupri plantation workers' strike. It notes that the BTI's second congress, attended by SOBSI, Pemuda Rakyat and Gerwis representatives, declared solidarity with the strike and instructed its branches to support strikers.
Dissolution of Jakarta city council requested by nine parties and ten organisations
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (13 Feb 1954): nine parties and ten organisations, including PKI, PNI, NU, SOBSI, BTI, Wanita Demokrat, Perwari and Gerwis, met under PNI's R. Kartasasmita and urged the government to dissolve the Greater Jakarta municipal council and form a representative one.
Actions against the Swapradja: Solo conference rejects return of self-rule
Aneta item in De Vrije Pers (12 Mar 1954): an anti-Swapradja committee conference in Solo rejected any return of self-rule (Swapradja) and planned waves of mass meetings before 15 April. Participants included PNI, PKI, Pemuda Rakyat, Gerwis and SOBSI; also notes the Sunan of Solo's planned studies in Jakarta.
Results of the Gerwis congress: name changed to Gerwani
De Vrije Pers report (3 Apr 1954) on the press conference after the second Gerwis congress (Jakarta, 25-31 March 1954). Gerwis changed its name to Gerwani, dropping "Sedar" after criticism; it opposed the demonstration ban and arrests of labour organisers, urged a marriage law against forced marriage, would field no ow
Results of the Gerwis congress: name changed to Gerwani (page version)
De Vrije Pers report (3 Apr 1954) on the press conference after the second Gerwis congress (Jakarta, 25-31 March 1954). Gerwis changed its name to Gerwani, dropping "Sedar" after criticism; it opposed the demonstration ban and arrests of labour organisers, urged a marriage law against forced marriage, would field no ow
Russian women visiting for the Gerwani congress
De Vrije Pers item (6 Apr 1954), citing Suluh Indonesia: three Soviet women (A. Kholopova of Moscow University, a poetess and a translator) arrived in Jakarta to attend the Gerwani congress and gave a talk on women's position in the USSR; the paper remarks they wore no lipstick and simple dresses.
Gerwani conference in Surabaya: renewing programme and board
De Vrije Pers item (1 Jun 1954) on a Gerwani conference in Surabaya: renewing programme and board, aiming to raise membership two- to fourfold with sub-branches in all wards, endorsing the Jakarta congress decisions (marriage law, democratic rights, H-bomb), demanding dissolution of the city council, backing peasants i
Saturday agenda in Surabaya: Gerwani reception
Daily events agenda in De Vrije Pers (27 Aug 1954) for Surabaya on Saturday 28 August 1954. The only item of interest is a Gerwani reception at 19:00 in the Yayasan Tani Kebudayaan building (Stadstuin); the rest are dances, sports and a church service.
Saturday agenda in Surabaya: Gerwani reception (second copy)
Daily events agenda in De Vrije Pers (28 Aug 1954) for Surabaya on Saturday 28 August 1954. The only item of interest is a Gerwani reception at 19:00 in the Yayasan Tani Kebudayaan building (Stadstuin); the rest are dances, sports and a church service.
Gerwani East Java conference ends with reception and performance
De Vrije Pers note (31 Aug 1954) on the Gerwani East Java conference, which ended with a reception and artistic performance at the Stadstuin in Surabaya. Topics discussed included the draft marriage law, the multi-wife pension regulation, the elections, food prices and pornographic reading matter and films.
Surabaya branch of People's Security Congress founded to secure the elections
De Vrije Pers report (6 Oct 1954) on founding a Surabaya branch of the Congress Keamanan Rakjat to secure the coming elections, chaired by Pemuda Rakyat's Moh. Rasjad. Ansor objected; SOBSI, Lekra, Gerwani, IPPI and others agreed, and Gerwani Surabaya was elected second treasurer.
In brief: Gerwani Bandung congress sends sympathy to Maisuri
Column of short news items in De Vrije Pers (30 Nov 1954). Relevant item: a two-day Gerwani congress of the Bandung branch decided to send a message of sympathy to Maisuri, a young woman in South Sumatra who suffered a "forced marriage". Other items are unrelated world news.