The Women's Role in Development in Indonesia (Indonesian National Committee for International Women's Year, 1975)

=== [PDF page 1] === THE WOMEN’S ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT "fim INDONESIA A- REPORT PREPARED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S YEAR WORLD CONFERENCE IN MEXICO CITY, MEXICO JUNE 19 — JULY 2, 1975 REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, » NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S YEAR 1975 « JAKARTA JUNE, 1975 === [PDF page 2] === gP WRN = PANCA SILA (FIVE PRINCIPLES) Belief in God The Almighty Humanity Unity of Indonesia Democracy Social Justice === [PDF page 3] === [Emblem: Garuda Pancasila, the national coat of arms of Indonesia] BHINNEKA TUNGGAL IKA === [PDF page 4] === SOEHARTO ° President of The Republic of Indonesia === [PDF page 5] === HAMENGKU BUWONO Vice President of The Republic of Indonesia === [PDF page 6] === MADAME TIEN SOEHARTO First Lady of The Republic of Indonesia === [PDF page 7] === PRESIDEN REPUBLIK INDONESIA SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA- HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL SOFHARTO ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF MOTHER'S DAY JAKARTA, DECEMBER 23, 1974 Distinguished Guests, Distinguished Mothers in particular, Ladies and Gentlemen, We are now assembled here to celebrate The Mother’s Day of December. 22, 1974 In other places throughout the nation similar celebration are also being held. 1 would like, therefore, to express my sincere best wishes and warmest felicitations particularly to The Indonesian Mothers and to The Indonesidn women in general. December 22nd is indeed an historic day, not just for mothers alone but for the Indonesian people as a whole. I mentioned it as an historic day for the people,betause what had taken place 46 years ago had apparently reflected the spirit of Indonesian women's struggle to improve both their own and the nation’s wellbeing. In our present development era, we too, still pursue the very same objective of raising our standard of living. This clearly shows that the amelioration of our wellbeing is a major struggle to be continuously under - taken by stages,: — Constituting a major struggle obviously it demands the efforts, of the entire people, inconceivable to be carried out separately by various groups of people Individual struggle by separate groups of people will not muster a great force needed to answer the enormous development challanges. Separate struggles, moreover, do not reflect the true spirit of our struggle and our national independence ideals, which for the past centuries had faithfully followeda distinct historical pattern and goal, namely to seek common happiness trhough concerted joint efforts,. xiii === [PDF page 8] === This certainly implies that we should remain firmly united in the up-and-downs of our present development endeavours. This spirit of unitv was not only essentially reguired during the past decades, but it was since than continuously enhanced and strengthened. Especially nowadays when the atten- _tion of the wohole nation must be focused on providing meaningful substance to our independence. > Similarly it was this awareness for such unity which had inspired the Yoyth ‘Solemn Oath proclaimed in 1928. And the same conciousness had actually motivated the advent of The Mother’s Day on that year. On the 22nd of December!928 the first Indonesian Women's Congress was convened. It was quite a remarkable congress at that period initiated jointly by thevarious existing women’s organizations. The main objective was ta unite all the ideals and endeavours for the progress of Indonesian women. Also during that historical Congress women had made a very significant decision; namely the establishment of a federation of women’s organizations called the Indonesian Women Federation. This was undoubtedly an important step towards strengthening unity. From the consecutive Women’s Congresses there was a marked increcse of —awureness on the role and the responsibility of women in their nation’s struggie. During the Congress of 1930, for instance, they declared that: being an Indonesian women implies being an Indonesian Mother as well. The fate of Indonesia will largely depend on its own women, hence the life and welfare of the Indonesian women should be improved. It was likewise declared that ihe women’s movement is an integral part of the national movement. Thm in the 1935 Congress it was explicity stated that nationalism must serve as the fundamental basis and that the Indonesian women must persuade the coming generation to be well aware of its national obligation. In their Congress of 1941 the Indonesian women supported the platform. that "Indonesia must have a parliament”, to enable women acquire the rights to vote and be eligible for city councils, to provide Indonesian language lessons in high schools, such as in the HBS and AMS: Wormer sh schools). All these activities demonstrated the far reaching ideals and actions initiaa by sian women in preparing the emergence of a strong independent Indonesia. ile commemorating the present Mother’s Dey we should recall that passage of history, since it became undeniably clear that women had ior many decades fully — realized their role in the nation’s struggle. This awareness ought to be continually fostered, through the recollections of past history, through concrete deeds and actions to day and through the realization of the ideals of tomorrow. The awareness of women’s capacity to play an important role in the nation’s struggle must be deeply felt in the heart of the women themselves, because such awareness will in turn stimulate great actions during our present development era. Women should. become a strong pillar in our nation building, they should serve as the coyntry’s solid front together with men. Because if one of the fronts is weak, our nation will remain incapacitated, unable to both move forward and attain normal progress. The opportunity to play a role in the development process is amply provided. Practically in every field the rights and the’status of women are fully ensured to be equal with those of xiv === [PDF page 9] === men: in politics our women enjoy the rights to vote and be eligible for voting. in the field of education there are no obstacles that prevent women from pursuéing higher education,there also are equal job opportunities available for women and men alike, and thae is the iendency of further promoting women’s status and dignity. The Indonesian women should be proud and content with such equal rights and status. In some countries such equality is still to be strived for, even in most of the developed nations. | The major problem of women today — which becomes ours too remajns in what .way can they play a more active and greater role in view of the prevailing vast possibilities This is a challenge to the numerous women’s organizations existing at present. | would now appeal to all women’s organizations ta seek ways and means for a concrete and practical solution in mobilizing women’s force to generate our national development etfort. The role of women in the past was unquestionably quite important during our national struggle conducive to the attainment of our present independence. That role is duly acknowledged and respected by the people; it has futhermore become one of our most cherished -nalional prides. | To show our respect and highest appreciation, may I, on behalf of the Nation.take this auspicious occasion on Mother's Day to confer the title of National Heroine to two pro- -minent Indonesian freedom fighters, namely the late Nyi Ageng Serang and the late H.Rasuna Said. Nyi Ageng Serang was freedom fighter who had fought in the battles during the famous Diponegoro Wa against foreign domination. The late H Rasuna Said\ who was born in Maninjau (Sumatera), was a devoted religious person, very intellegent, courageous, honest, an udefeaYable heroine in proving her determination to pursue her ideals and her love towards the fatherland. She was a very determined fighter during the entire period of Dutch and Japanese occupation as well as after we became independent. It is therefore most approprigte for the country and people to bestow that honour. Such gesture would hopefully encourage that Indonesian women in particular and the people in general, to fellow their heroic steps and to strive for the realization of their noble ideals. There are still many greater tasks awaiting us in promoting the status of women and that of all nations. - This is a challenge to the world, wherein lies the principal answer for the creation of a more progressive, prosperous and peaceful world than the present one. The question of women’s status in so vital that the General Assembly of the United Nations had passed in 1972 a Resolution declaring the Year: 1975 as the International Women’s Year, with the theme of Equality, Development and Peace. Consequently Indonesia fully supports and actively participates in carrying out said resolution. Its implementation in Indonesia must evidently retain the true nature of the Indonesian national character and directed towards the acceleration of the overall development efforts. Endowed with such ardent spirit and aim,and with the sincere desire to cooperate closely with women and with other countries in the pur suit of a better tomorrow, allow me to take this valuable opportunity of the present Mother’s Day celebrations to declare: the Year.1975 as the International Women's Year. === [PDF page 10] === Let ys renew our perseverance and enhance our common effort in speeding up the development of both our people and our country. My Almighty bestow His blessings and wise guidance upon all of us. ‘ Thank you. === [PDF page 11] === aa 0 —X Lk - RE ROEN, - me ‘ - REPUBLIK INDONESIA MESSAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA GENERAL SOEHARTO ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR | - In celebrating the International Women's Year, the Government of Indonesia would convey the wishes to closely cooperate with the United Natidns and to take this opportunity to commend the latter’s continued efforts in promoting universal recognition of the equal rights ul men and women enabling women to participate fully in the development of society. Indonesia js aware of women’s full potential and the importance of their « Contribution to stimulate the development of the country. Indonesia’s laws have ensured women’s rights to vote and be elegible for election to all state institutions. In the field of education and in the exercise of all public functions, they have been accorded equal rights with men, without any discrimination whatsoever. Nowadavs, more than ever, we in Indonesia are fully conscious of the important role played by our women in accelerating the government’s tasks in all sectors related to the country’s overall development plans and programmes, in addition to their traditional cantributtion tothe family and to the promotion of moral values of the community. Motivated by our sincere conviction of the vital role women play for the real progress of the society and of the fact that women’s contribution to issues of universal concern can no longer be ignored, Indonesia, therefore, has pledged itself within its own capability to actively contribute to the attainment of the objectives set forth in the United Nation’s programme of action for the advancemertt of women: _Cosenquently, it is our wish that the designation of 1975 as the International Women's Year b&a landmark in Indonesia's recognition of the dignity of human being in the context of the principle of equality, development and peace for all mankind.. Jakarta, April 24, 1975: xvit === [PDF page 12] === ADDRESS ON NATIONAL EDUCATION DAY 1975 A nation, that is being engrossed in activities to attain development, will feel the need to possess reading and writing abilities. These abilities to read and to write will also be required for efforts to foster the development of a humane civilization, that is geared towards continuously improving the quality of physical and spiritual life. For the Indonesian Nation, as busily engaged as it is in activities of self-development that are aimed at the creation of the complete Indonesian manand the development of the whole Indonesian society, sincere and unremittant efforts to maintain and nurture the abilities to read and to write of those, who already have acquired these skills, and to bring possession of these skills to every single citizen, are therefore absolute imperatives. In relation thereto, it would be very recommendable indeed, if, to give real and productive meaning to International Women’s Year 1975, an escalation of all the efforts and activities, aimed «t fostering and nurturing; the reading and writing abilities of every citizen, is selected as one of the main programs, to be undertaken jointly by all women organizations, together with all the female scholars, workers, students-of universities as well as of all other schoolds-, housewives and the whole society in general. 1 would also like to recommend, that every Female Indonesian Citizen, whether she may be living in the city or in a village, whether she may be working in an office ora factory, or be a housewife, incessantly ventures to fill her free time with reading books of other reading materials, so that she not only will improve on ber abilities to read and write,but will enlarge too the knowledge, that will be valuable to her improving her abilities to participate acceptably and appropriately in societal life. It would be very appropriate indeed, if we reactive our efforts in this field, and take thereby as our starting line the commemoration of National Education Day, May 2 1975, the birthday of Ki Hajar Dewantoro, Father and devout lover of national educatign in Indonesia. We are firmly of the convincion, that sustained by the spirit of mutual self-help and moved by a feeling of national responsibility, as well as strengthened by the guidance given by the Government and all its organs, this great effort to ascertain such a noble goal will be accomplished succesfully. ‘ May the Almighty God bestow His Grace and Blessing on this noble venture of ours. Jakarta, May 2 1975 signed MADAME TIEN SOEHARTO Xix === [PDF page 13] === STATE MINISTRY.. i KOR PEOPLE'S WELFARE — HE. MINISTER’ FOR SOCYAL AFFAIRS, oe, —.H.E, RESIDENT REPRESENTAPIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, ~ HONORABLE SECRETARY TO THE ‘VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA, - HONORABLE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.OF THE NATIONAL PLANNING BOARD, HONORABLE RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIALIZED AGENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. First of all | would like to express my gratitude to you for your kind cooperation in meeting our invitation to attend the inauguration of the Indonesian National Committee of the International Women’s Year 1975. To day we are here to put another mile-stone in the history.of the Indonesian Women Movement. ' The history of the Indonesian Women Movement as was mainly pioneerd by our beloved Ibu Kartini, Dewi Sartika, Cut Nya Din, Cut Nya Meutia, Martha Christina Tijahahu, Maria Walanda Maramis, proves to be not useJess, but on the contrary it encouraged the struggle of the Indonesian women. ‘ | We still remember clearly, that during the ‘independent fight of the Indonesian Nation it’was noted that thousands of Indonesian Women Fighters (Lasykar Wanita Indonesia) took part in the struggle. So, that is a brief outline of the history of the Indonesian Women as we all have notified, describing the participation of the Indonesian Women in all fields of activities, starting with the struggle for obtaining education up to the struggle against colonialisme, and later the fight for the independence of the nation and country. ~ This- means that in the struggle activities of the Indonesian Nation, the Indonesian Women have already gone along hand in hand with the men participating in the struggle arena. It is obvious that the Indonesian Women have a place at the same. level as that of the men Indonesian Nation’s struggle. : If we make a further study on the 1945 Constitution (vUD-45), chapter X art 27 points out ' the equal status before the law and in the government. This shows that there is no discrimination against women before the law and in politics, also in the defence of, and the fight for the country (Chapter XII art 20), and in education (Chapter XIII art 29). Therefore we get together here to day in the framework to continue-in terms of - pro- - moting the Indonesian Women activities which already has a historical and commieatizna! basis as ‘I’ve mentioned earlier. xxi === [PDF page 14] === Nevertheless we all are aware that being citizens who whole heartedly have accepted the State Philosophy:. PANCASILA (The Five Principles) we should rot ignore the law of the nature in the execution of our activities. At the present time we are facing two main points, i.e. FIRST: celebrating THE MOTRERY 22 DECEMBER 1974, as we always do every Year, and SECOND: participating in the celebration of THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’ s YEAR 1975, as a member country of the UNO. It is desirable that those two points mentioned above be integrated, so that in its implementation it would be more effective.: At the same time we can also determine THE MOTHERDAY 22 DECEMBER 1974 as a Starting point of activities that will be carried out in the context of the celebration of the International Women’s Year 1975. As both the Government and the Women Organisations have Common concern to make the International Women's Year 1975 a success, there fore its implementation is to be managed at national level by establishing a National Committee, comprising of representatives of the Government and mainly of the Women Organizations and other Organizations as well. Due to the time limitation, | accordingly wish that a sound cooperation be created among others by showing good-will based on: “THE SPIRIT OF TOLERANCE” for a better understanding and harmony so as to facilitate the definite achievement of the expected goal. Taking note of the resolution No, 3010, adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on 18 December 1972, by which the Year 1975 was proclaimed as the International Women's Year having the theme: Equality, Development and Peace, { would like to suggest that it. should be implemented in accordance with the national identity and condition. Furthermore, | would like to emphasize that we should always be alert and take into account that political aspects may arise in the international Forum. Therefore, the Committee should pay special attention in working out its activities programmes. Special attention should also ' be given to problems concegning the hard and difficult lifes of the women living in the rural areas, who are big in number. It is indeed our responsibility to improve their status and living standard and this can be done by providing educational facilities either formal or non-formal. ” Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just mentioned my expectations, I hope that my Suggestions can be of good use for the Committee in its efforts to make the International Women’s Year 1975 a succes. xxii === [PDF page 15] === Along with that I would like to take this opportunity to express my -appriciation and sincere thanks to my distinguished guests: the Resident Representatives of the United Nations Development Programmes and of ali other United Nations Specialized Agencies for the kind Cooperation, aids and assistances that have already been extended an@ or that are going to be extended to us useful for the succesful completion of the programmes set up for the 1975 International Women’s Year. In concluding, [ hope that the National Committee will reach the objectives,and thus achieve the goal to the benefit of the whole Indonesian People. An | hereby declare: “The Indonesian National Committee for The International Women’s Year 1975 official ly inaugurated”. Thank You. Jakarta, November 18, 1975, The State Minister for People’s Weltare, SOENAWAR SOEKOWATI xxiii === [PDF page 16] === 11. 12. INDONESIAN NATIONAL COMMISTEE FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S YEAR 1975 . Patson Adviser General Chairman First Vice General Chairman . Second Vice General Chairman Chairman | First Vice Chairman Secorid Vice Chairman Committee's Chairman Secretaries Treasurer Member’s : General Soeharto President of the Republic of Indonesia : Madame Tign Soeharto First Lady of the Republic of Indonesia Prof, Dr. Soenawar Soekowgi State Minister for People's Welfare : Mr. H.M.S. Mintaredja Minister for Social Affairs : Mr. Erman Harirustaman Director General for Local Governments Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs. Mrs. Roesiah Sardjono Secretary General of the Ministry: of Social Affairs. Mr. Achmad i Director General For Rural Development Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs. : Mr. Dr. W.P. Napitupulu. Director General For NomForm4l Education and Sports,- Ministry of Education and Culture. 2 Mrs. Susento. Mrs. Adam Malik Mrs. Sjarif Thajeb Mrs. Surono Mrs. Suwarni Salyo. Mr. Soetjipto Hadiwasito | Mrs. Soedarsono” — ~ Miss Kustijah Prodjolalito. : Mr. Roekmana Sjah : dr. Achmad Dipodilogo Mrs. Indra Soebagio Mrs. Roebiono Mrs. Busiri Miss Zakiah Dradjat XXV === [PDF page 17] === Mrs. Moeharam Wiranatakusumah Mr. Soebagio Mr. Soetrisno Mr. Abdulgafur Mr. Moefti Mr. Dr. Herman Soesilo MPH === [PDF page 18] === TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Speech by the President of the Republic of Indonesia his excellency General Soeharto on the occasion of the Commemoration of Mother's Day Jakarta, December 23, 197d. 00 20an an ey all Message of his excellency the President of the Republic of Indonesia General Soeharto on the occasion of International Women's Year gi @ 8 we wR xvii Address on National Education Day by Mme. Tien Soeharto.. 4. xix Address by The State Minister for People’s Welfare National Committee for the International Women's Year. 1975, on November 18, 1974. xxi Indonesian National Committee for International Women's Year 1975 XXV INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Equality in status and the Role of Women 7 The Status of Women in the family and community............7-13 — Opportunity to benefit from scholarships and other subsidies and study grants. 13-20 CHAPTER II \ The Indonesian Women’s participation in the National Development. - 17 |. The first and the second five year Development Plan............ 17-18 2. The participation and integration of the Indonesian Women in the National Development... 0. peka 18-31 3.:Problems which require attention 31 CHAPTER III Indonesian’s Contribution toward world peace 33 CHAPTER IV Conclusion 39 Index 41 Map of Indonesia.: 43 === [PDF page 19] === INTRODUCTION 1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES In the framework of the commemoration of the International Women’s Year 1975, pursuant to Resolution 3010 (XXVII) of the United Nations, the following Country Report has been prepared on a series of activities and endeavours of the Indonesian Women. As the theme of the International Women Year 1975 consists of the following topics — Equality; — Development; and this report therefore attempts to give an illustration on the above mentioned subjects. If one views Eguality from the legal angle and compared it with its application, a number of problems will emerge which constitute obstacles to be solved with a view to attaining a balance and harmonious equality betwezn Indonesian Women and Men in accordance with the principles of PANCA SILA.. - Viewing the guestion of participation and integration of the Indonesian women in the national development from the demographic angle women represent a large number of potency for the national development in the rural areas. Hence it is still necessary to upgrade their role gualitively as an agent for development through formal and non-formal education. It is obvious that proper attention should be given ‘by the Indonesian women in particular from the academic and educated circles, with a view to rendering their valuable assistance to the Government to smoothen the development efforts. , As regard to Peace, the Indonesian people, in particular the Indonesian women - consider peace as a part of their philosophy of life PANCA SILA. The Peace that they charish is / peace among peoples and nations in which a balance between spiritual values exists. Departing from this phylosophy of life,it is incumbent upon the Indonesian women to participate in the preservation of world peace as stipulated in the Preamble of the Contitution. e Republi¢ of Indonesia. === [PDF page 20] === 2. THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA ‘ The Republic of Indonesia is a unitary state where the supreme authority rests wit the people. | After a Dutch colonialization of more than 350 years and a period of Japanese oc cupation of 3% years the Indonesian peo: le stood up against colonialism and proclaimed thei independence on the day of 17th August 1945 in Jakarta. 3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INDONESIAN WOMEN'S MOVEMENT Simply armed with from the Japanese seized weapons they joined the ranks of national struggle to oppose the return of the Dutch colonialism during the Virst and Second Independence War of the Indonesian people. Not only do they participate actively in the national struggle for independence, but even at the very outset of the Indonesian history, the Indonesian women were already heads of governments under the attribute of queen. As an illustration of the struggle against foreign domination, as well as women emancipation, the following Tanpa fat female personalities should be noted: |. Puteri Serang (R.A. Kustiah Retno Edhi) (1752 1828) 2. Martha Christina Tyahahu ( - 1918) 3. Cut Nyak Dien | (1860 1908) 4. Cut Nyak Meutia (1870 1910) 5. Raden Ajeng Kartini | (1879 — 1904) 6. Maria Walanda Maramis (1872 — 1924) 7. Raden Dewi Sartika (1884 — 1947) 8. Nyai Achmad Dachlan ( -- 1946) . H. Rasuna Said (1910 -- 1965) Amongst the womun to break old customs hampering their emancipation, it was R.A. Kartini who initiated the opportunity for women to get education in schools. These pioneering efforts induced the establishment of women movements, which were consciously based on the spirit to be united and which evalued paralelly with the emerging spirit of nationalism to fight the foreign domination. Several women associations were founded during 1912 - 1920. such as the Wanito Utomo, Putri Mardiko, Keutamaan Istri, Aisyah, Putri Budi Sedjati, etc. At the same time publications were issued, for example the magazine "Putri Mardiko”', "Suara Perempuan” and "Perempuan, Bergerak” all of which armed at improving the status of the women through education especially on family welfare such as children care, sewing, cooking, etc. Towards 1920, ideas emerged to unite these organizations into a national women federation, but it was not until 22 to 26 December 1928 when the Kongres Perempuan Indonesia (The Congress of Indonesian Women) decided to establish a Federation of Indonesian Women Organizdtions (Perikatan Perkumpulan Perempuan Indonesia). _ _ === [PDF page 21] === During the period of Japanese occupation women organizations in Indonesia did not get the opportunity to develop themselves, since the occupying government prohibited all ac tivities which were not directly related with the pursue of war When the independence of Indonesia was proclaimed on 1? August 1945 the Indohesian women fought side by side with their fellow country men. The women fought behind the front-line as nurses, serving in public kitchen, mohile clinics and were also doing fund raising. But, also a great number of them fought in the frontline While actively engaged in the struggle tor independence the Indonesian women still had time to improve the organizabon of their federation by setting up the Indonesian Women Congress or KOWANI in) 1946, with the main objective of rendering active support to the struggle for independence With a view to giving substance to the independence of their country, the Indonesian women movements programmes after 1948 were devoted to the attainment of equal rights for the women as stipulated in the 1948 Constitution in articles 27, 30 and 31. An aspiration long cherished iy the enactment of a marital law embodying the principle of the equality on the status of womer and men in marriage, which was promulgated in 1974, " It is in the light of this aim to uplift the dignity of the Indonesian women, as a contribution to the commemoration of the International Women’s Year 1975 that President Suharto officially declared the date of 23 December 1974 as Mother's Day. In his address the Presifent underlined the centre role of women in development: “Women must become a pillar in the development of the country. Women must become equal partners of the men in the nation’s developrent efforts”. In this context the President appeals to all governmental agencies and women organizations to intensify their activities by integrating women into all sectors of the.develonment process and to eliminate all kinds of discrimination which still exist in the. attitude, behavior, laws and regulations. === [PDF page 22] === CHAPTER I EOUALITY IN STATUS AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN The status of women in the family and community. Since Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945, the country had undergone rapid and unprecedented changes in its social structure, never before experienced in history. A profound change took place in its social structure through abolishing | institutions and provisions which are of sectarian or discriminatory character. The principle of equality as laid down in article 27 paragraph | of the 1945 Constitution prescribes that "every subject enjoys the same status before the law and government and has the duty to abide by the law and be loyal to the government without reservations ” Moreover, Article 27 paragraph 2 prescribes that, "every subject has the right for employment and condition of life commensurate with human dignity”. In communal life this provision is interpreted as encompassing the principle of equal status for men and women. This principle has in general been accepted by the community. In accordance with the Constitution and its by laws on education and employment, equal opportunities for men and women are guaranteed. Simiiarly, the law on general elections also guarantees the political right of the Indonesian women. But, in fact the reality does not fully accord with the provisions and spirit of law. Women do not enjoy equal opportunity as provided under the law. Certain indicators should be used in order to assess the status of women in Indonesia within the family or in the com: munity such as education, health, employment opportunity, civil rights and politival rights. As a legacy of the Dutch colonial period, the Indonesian people are still being divided into different classes and ethnic groups to which different laws and regulations are applicable. | Moreover, customary law is still being observed by different ethnic groups which leads to pluralism in marital law. 1. For an Indonesian moslem the Islamic law as adjusted to customary law is applicable. === [PDF page 23] === 2. For those still living under customary law, the respective customary law of the region is applicable which are generally differentiated along the patrilineal, matrilineal or parental of descendency. For those of Christian faith living in Java, Madura, Minahasa and Ambon, the Christian Indonesian Marital Ordinance is applicable. For Indonesiaf Christians in other regions, however, their respective customary law are still applicable. ~ 4. For the Indonesian of Chinese origin who were classified as "Alien Easterners” in the past, the Civil Code which is a modification of the Dutch Civil Code as adapted to the ~local conditions, is applicable.. 5. While Alien Easterners of non Chinese origin, are still subjected to their respective customary laws. 6.For the Indonesian subject of European origin, the Civil Code is applicable. Hence, the pluralism in civil and customary law in Indonesia. The Indonesian Mari- _ tal Law promulgated on January 2, 1974, and which will come into force in October 1975, has not abolished entirely the pluralistic nature of its civil and customary law. Article 2of the Marital Law prescribes that a marriage is considered legal if it has been entered into in accordance with the religious laws and believes of the concerned parties. It further prescribes = the minimal age for a marriage at 16 years for a woman and 19 years for a man, and that a marriage may be concluded only if there is a mutual agreement between. the parties concerned and that every marriage must be registered properly in accordance with the existing, provisions. One of the main objectives which the marital law seeks to attain is dasi the incidence of poligamy and unwarranted divorces. \ While the marital law does not abolish poligamy, it makes it incumbant for a man to obtain prior approval from ‘his first. wife and consent from the marital court, before concluding a poligamous marriage. This court will judge the validity of the reason of a man to marry again and the extend to which he is in a position to sustain his family and to treat all his wives equally. With these requirements it is expected that the practice of poligamy will be limited. According to statistical data approximately 350.000 poligamic marriages are registered in Indonesia, although in practice this number might be higher. In view of the relatively high rate of divorces in Indonesia, it is expected that this law will reduce it substantially. The rate of divorces in 1964 - 1966 is:about 50 per cent of the total marriages registered. By providing marriage counseling on a wide scale it is hoped that this rate will be reduced to 30 percent. While in the Islamic marital law a husband is entitféd to divorce his wife at his will and grace, the present marital law of Indonesia makes a court trial mandato- - ry before a divorce could be effected, viz. a Religious Court for an Indonesian Moslem and the Civil Court for non Moslems. Both wife and husband has equal right to file a divorce against each other.. If a marriage ends on account of a divorce their common property. is shared proportionally between the purties pursuant to the respective marital laws. This attests to the fact that pluralism is still very. much prevailing in civil law. Both father and mother remains res- === [PDF page 24] === ponsible in sustaining the living and education of their children. “If the situation justifies, the court can impose upon the husband to give an alimony to his former wife, but the court may also put certain obligation to the forger wife. 2 With the enactment of the marital law and social improvement of women, a more harmonious relationship between husband and w#E is evolving. Women, therefore, not only become a companion for life - but also a partner for the common good of the family and society. The notion of a family in Indonesia is larger than what is conventionally known -in western societies. There are two type of families which can, generally classified in joint or extended family and nucleus family. A nucleus family consisting of husband, wife and children are generally to be found in urban areas, whereas joint families are normally living in rural areas. However, because of strong family ties, even in towns one can find extended families, where old-age parents and relatives are being given shelter. In some regions women retain their own girl name after marriage. In Javanese tradition a man who has got married chooses a new name which becomes the conjugal name of man and wife. In educated families, particularly in town and cities, a wife gets the name of her husband following the western custom.: The written heriditary law in Indonesia as incorporated in the Civil Code, applies only to Indonesians of European and Chinese origin. For the native Indonesians the-custom heriditary law is applicable, which varies from one region to the other. In a patrilineal community a woman does not inherit. Both in the religious as well as customary law on heriditary, a man gets a larger share of the heritage than a woman. The jurisprudence of the Supreme Court ordained the right to heritage of a.woman. And in the society, the idea that women should get an equal share of the heritage as men is.gaining wider acceptance. In the structure of the economy of Indonesia with its preponderance on the agricultural sector, women living in the rural areas have always been actively involved in the production pro- ' cess of foodstuffs. The cultivation of the paddy fields is a task equally shared between men | and women. The women dissiminate the seeds, take care of the fields by cleaning them from grass and other wild plants, harvests, drying the paddy and pound them into rice grains. They play: an active role in the marketing of agricultural commodities by vending them door,to door, or running a small stall for yegetables and other agricultural commodities. It was not until the beginning of 20th century that Indonesian women from highersociety were allowed to do other work than household jobs. In 1900 some Indonesian wo- _men were given opportunity to go to school and began to work outside their house mostly as teachers. The economic recession in the early 30s had induced many girls who were no more enrolled at schools nor married to seek jobs at offices as telephone operators, typists and other secretarial jobs to make both ends meet in the family. Some other more fortunate women were in the position to send their children, mostly - boys, to higher institutes of learning a as to provide an upward lift of their family’s "social status. === [PDF page 25] === After independence the number of working Indonesian women keepsincreasing, not only unmarried girls, but also married women with or without children. The Indonesian society has come to accept the presence of women in the world of employment. Labour laws are among the most advanced, even according to international standards. There is no discrimination against women under these laws. Indonesia has ratified the ILO Convention no. 100 concerning Egual Renumeration for men and women-workers for work of egual value. ' Furthermore there are special regulations for women, a.o.: | a. women are not allowed to work on the night shifts between 22.00 hours - 05.00 hours, except in some cases like nurses, with special permission from the Ministry of Manpower. b. women are not supposed to work in the mines under ground. c. it is not allowed for women to do work which might be against moral ethics or inflicting her health. d. expecting women workers/employees will get permission to be on maternity leave for 3 months, to be taken 1% month before and 1% month after having given birth or after a miscarriage. Indonesia adheres to the principle of freedom of choice of employment and in: this matter no discrimination/difference is made between a man or a woman worker. Indonesian women are employed in Government services or in private firms and: factories. The Armed Forces have also opened opportunity for womén for a career in the Armed Forces, thus establishing a Women Corps in the Army, Navy, Air Force and State Po- [Unreadable] Up till now the Women Corps have not been assigned combat” tasks but they are employed in administration posts, while the policewomen work in the children and vice-control section. The census of civil servants, conducted in March 1974, revealed that the number of the women civil servants is 302.589 or about 18%, of the total Corps of civil servants. The highest echelon (echelon 4) includes 474 female civil servants, of which 5 occupy the highest sub-echelon.. During 30 years of independence there have been 4 female Cabinet Ministers. Nearly half the number of female civil servants has an educational background of higher secondary school and holds positions in the second echelon.: This number accounts for 57,8% of all female civil servants. In the diplomatic service there have been 2 women with ambassadorial ranks, - ms, women Minister Counsellors and 5 women Counsellors. ss There is a relatively big number of women judges in the judiciary, about 16% of the total number of judges of about 310. Among them are women judges of ‘Courts of Appeal and one judges of the Supreme. CourtsCompared to other countries there are a latively many women prosecutors. There is also one woman member of the Supreme Advisory Council. 10 === [PDF page 26] === The number of women employed in private factories and offices (firms) are estimated to comprise one-third.of the whole active labour force or half of the number of men power workers. This employment generally includes secretarial jobs, typists, _ Stenographers, clerks, secretaries, receptionists or telephone operators The industrial sector, such as the textile industry, batik, cigarettes, electronics etc. invaribly employ women workers for manual work. On the other hand to construction sector do not employ women except for office work. There are. several women. engineers. / architects who work in contractor firms or architects bureaus. The profession show a remarkable development with increasing numbers of women physicians, dentists, legal consultants, journalists and so forth. Besides these professions a new group of business women has emerged, who run boutiques, beauty-salons, catering firms, shoe factories, medicine, home decoration, jewelry, taxy rental services, hotels, flower shops, real estate and so forth. They have recently organized themselves in an Association of Indonesian Business Women affiliated with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce Indonesian female civil servants are members of the Indonesian Corps of Civil Servants. However, the female civil servants in Jakarta have another organization, the Indonesian Association of Women Workers, which in principle extends its memberships to the women workers in the private sector, outside the civil servant corps. Employees of private enterprises, both men and women, are organized in unions, grouped according to the industrial branches. Women-workers in Jakarta have established a medium contact’in November 19725. the Contact-Body of Indonesian Women workers, reaching after: 1, the prevention of discrimination against and exploitation of the women workers. ' 2. the dissemination of informations on the problems encountered by the women employees. 3. the provision of guidance and help to the women workers. This contact-body has set up a consultation bureau and a bulletin serves as the medium of communication. Every year a seminar is conducted, in which issues related to the status of women workers are discussed. Starting this year (1975) similar seminars are conducted in cities outside Jakarta, with the objective that in these cities a local contact body be established. " One fact that has to be faced by women employees in Indonesia is that generally fhe managerial positions are in the hands of men, particularly in the field of planning and decision making: Further more in the distribution of facilities such as housing, cars. in the job trainings or assignments abroad, in many. cases priority is given to male employees. This situation shows that there is still a cultural lag, resulting in attitudes that do not give complete equal opportunity to female employees. Although the presence of women in the world of work is accepted,men’s role in it is regarded more important. Special regulations have the tendency to create a side effect, for example, maternity leave may be used as an excuse for not assigning an important and responsible post to a female employee because of long periodes of absenteeism. The prohibition of women workers to work at night induces some factories not to hire women workers in large numbers, for the reason that they can not be placed in night shifts. 11 === [PDF page 27] === There are instances that contracts are signed with women workers, on the provi- ‘sion that work relationship shall be automatically dissolved in case of marriage or ptegnancy.. The most crucial problem for married women that are gainfully employed, is how to combine her household tasks with her work outside ‘the home satisfactorily. The presence of domestic help or relatives who assist in the home can solve this problem. The need for day-care centres and nursé series begins to be felt and establishment of these facilities is encouraged in line with the intensification of development efforts. Women enter into employment for the following reasons: a. economic necessity 1 b. career (to make her life more meaningful) c. to meet the need of manpower in the development plan. The principle of equal pay for equal work is best guaranteed in Government service The private sectors do not always meet the standards set in the labourer laws. There are still deviations from the principle of equal pay, maternity leaves are not ‘granted to the full length period of time or pay during the leave is witItheld. Standards of health and security provisions are sometimes below the required standards,on the ground of lack of funds, but the Government can not resort to drastic measures such as closing the factories, since such measures will force the work into unemployment. With the high incidence of unemployment, under- -employment and job-scarcity as is the case in Indonesia the Government is faced with the problem to improve the conditions with other measures. Big firms provide health facilities and partly free medical care for their employees. The Government has begun health and insurance scheme, including medical care and medicines for civil servants. The pension regulations for civil servants guarantees complete equality for male and female civil servants. Pension for civil servants and widows/widowers of civil servants is granted as a social security in old age and as a taken appreciation for the services rendered to the Government, The retirement age for civil servants is 56 for both male or female civil servants. A higher age is permitted for the teaching staff of universities and Supreme Court Justices. The widower of a female civil servant will receive a pension on the same requisites as the widow of a male civil servant. A civil servant is entitled to full pension after 20 years of service if he has reached the age of 50.. In the private sectors, only a few big enterprises have an pension scheme. Many private enterrrises have begun a long term insurance scheme for their employees who have served a certam minimum period, in which the firms pay part of the insurance polis. The basic education laws guaranteed equal access to education for boys and girls, from pre-school education upward‘to university level. In principle education is free.But as a consequence of Governments policy, that e- 12 === [PDF page 28] === ducation is the responsibility of the Government, the society and parents, parents are obliged to contribute to the costs of education. Compulsory education has long been planned but cannot be realized for lack of the necessary funds and personnel. | In line with the principle of equality mentioned above, both boys and girls have the same choice of curricula, are subjected to the same examinations and qualifications. According to the statistics of the Department of Education and Culture enrollment in 1972 showed the following figures: Elementary school Boys 55% Girls 45% | Secondary school Boys 60% Grils 40% High: school Boys 67% Girls 33% University Boys 73% Girls 27% These figures show that enrollment of girls students declines along with the level of education..; The influence of traditional attitudes as to what education is suitable for girls, or boys, gives the results that in Technical Schools with an enrollment of 163.194 students only 1.465 are girls. In Schools for Agricultural training the number of only 1.465 are girls. In Schools for agricultural training the number of girls students is. about 5% of the entire enrollments. Opportunity to benefit from scholarships and other subsidies and study grants. In principle there is no difference in this field, but in reality the choice made by boys or girls students clearly shows their preférence, for example male students will give preference to technical studies.,, In principle there are no differences to benefit from such opportunities for male as well as female students but it should be noted that male students have other preferences than female students e.g. for technical studies more scholarships and grants are solicited by - male students. There are equal opportunities to obtain educational information to sustain the health and welfare of the families. In fact there are more opportunity for women in this case, by means of courses, lectures and information from women organizations. In the Indonesian society there is still an attitude that the role of women in society is secondary compared | to the men’s role in its women’s task, especially mothers, is in the home to watch over the welfare of the family. This reflects the attitude of therwomen themselves and education for girls at home emphasizes feminine qualities, loyalty towardhusband and family. That is the reason why in the Indonesian family sons get priority to acquire a higher education: a. in case there is not sufficient money. b. in case the girls have reached a proper age of marriage. === [PDF page 29] === Indonesia conducted general elections for the first time in 1955. For the second time elections were held in 1971 in the basis of the Electorial Act issued in 1969. According to this Act every Indonesian citizen who has reached the age of 17 at the time of the registration of voters or who has married before, has the right to vote. A candidate for the local Councils has to be of Indonesian nationality, 21 year of age upwards and abiding by God The AL mighty, able to speak the Indonesian language and able to read and write in Latin characters. In the last elections (1971) the number of Indonesians with voting rights was 58.558.776. More than 80% of women exercised their voting tights. The outcome of the. elections showed that 33 women or-about 7% elected of the members of parliament to- | talling 460 have been chosen. At the local councils the number of women members comprised avund 10%. Indonesian women are new-comers on the political scene. During the colonial re - gime a few women had membership in city councils, at that there were ‘no women members in the "People's Council”. During the-armed struggle.to defend the proclamation of. independence (1945 — 1949) a number of women were members of the Indonesia National Committee, a body that functioned as a parliament at the time. There are only a few women who have listed as members of a political. party. Women with political aspirations join women’s organizations of which the’ daily activities are in the social field,-but which cooperate with political parties during elections. This is the reason why the Indonesian women are not sufficiently trained in political life. On the whole politics are regarded as men’s business, and in practice politics is time consuming. These factors constitute a considerable constraint for women, Thus ifwomen intend to advance in politics they must overcome their own inhibitions, “1 For above mentioned reasons the number of female candidates is small compared to male candidates..: Another factor that also accounts for the small number of women elected is the election system, which is not direct bud based on an electoral list submitted by tthe political parties. taking part in the general elections. | | Evidently the names of female candidates are put lower down on the list making their election less certain. There is growing expectation that the women organization hold "civic education” for women, as a measure to disseminate the interest of women towards political matters.,, The women’s movement has great merit in improving the status of the Indonesian women, for whom equality of rights is not-the ultimate goal. Equal rights are pre-requisitcs to get equal opportunity and to full integration in the development of the country and the nation. Equality with men does not mean identify, but means equality of opportunity to «develop one’s capacities and oneself as ahuman being, without a predetermined status and role based on sex. Thus basically equality is a value orientation. 14 === [PDF page 30] === . To accelerate the process of' elevating the status of women, in 1968 the National Commission on the status of women was established. The main task of this commission is collecting data concerning women’s problems and analizing them. Based on the analysis the Commission will draw recommendations: to be submitted to the Government, the women organizations and other institutes which have activities havingany relationship with the analized data. Through women organization, the value of work and the world of politics the In donesian women hope to strengthen their position in the society. Basic problems. The problem of the eguality of status and role among men and women in the family and in society is basically a cultural problem. Traditionally women's role is regarded secondary to men. Women are naturally endowed with qualities that make them be close to children especially during their infancy and therefore it seems natural to assign women a role that emphasizes on the household. Women in the rural areas, however, have proved through history that women have the capacity to exercise a role in the life-of the community, because rural women have traditionally always contributed in the food production process. It is even believed that women were the first agriculturists in prehistoric time when the men provide food for their families through hunting. But modernization in the agricultural sector has created a setback in the role of — women in the rural areas. For example the thrashing of padi-ears has from time immemorial been the task of women, the introduction of rice-hullers however,has deprived them, of a source of income. Women are not instructed to operate a huller. “Thus arises the prospect that rural’ women will gradually lose their role in the food production process,. “In order to preserve the participation of rural women ir the modernized method “ of food production, the upgrading courses intzoducing the modern agricultural machines and scientific methods in the villages should not be restricted to men. " Other obstacles faced by women to participate fully in the ksstapmarit efforts on an equalitarian basis with men are: 1. the large number of women with a low standard of education, especially the high percentage number of illiteracy among women (more than men) and the fact that the number of more educated men are larger than women. . the traditional attitude that women’s place is in the home, so that all household tasks are allotted to women, even in the case they are employed outside the home. .in the world of work people arg inclined to assume that a woman does not dedirate herself fully to her work, they are less ambitious than men, especially when they have a fa - mily, thus giving rise to discrimination in promotion and sometimes in conditions of employment, for example tbat the employment relationship will be dissolved in case of marriage or pregnaney. $. 15 === [PDF page 31] === in the world of business and com erce, women have more difficulty in obtaining loans (oredit) than men, because of lack o \ confidence in her business abilities. . in politics women are regarded as lacking experience and insights. To overcome these constraints the foliowing steps are recommended: . to raise the capacity of women in reading and writing. to give more incentive to girls to obtain higher education, and to provide facilities of learn- _ ing for married women a.o. by introducing the "open system” in formal educational institutes, thus providing opportunities to follow courses without the obligation to. obtain a “degree”. 3. to enhance guidance and job training for women. 4.'to motivate women to practice family planning aimed at the creation of a small family. . to foster understanding between husband and wife about the division of tasks and res - ponsibilities in the family and to extend these attitudes to the children male as well as -female. . to reach a joint and consultative’ management in the family between husband and wife, based on equal rights. . to self-employed women assistance should be given in the form of: a. capital (loans, credits). b. training in skills, to improve the quality and guidance to develop their business. c. marketing. d. protection.: To encourage/enhance the interest of women in public questions "civic education” should be conducted regularly through lectures, reading clubs, discussion clubs, libraries and so on. all legislative regulations which do not adequately take in to consideration the interests of.wo- - men should be reviewed and replaced by legislation that guarantees equality. 10. Mass-media is expected to. assist in giving a favorable image of the positive qualities of the Indonesian women such as cordiality, endurance, intelligence, dedication and so forth. === [PDF page 32] === CHAPTER II THE INDONESIAN WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION. * IN THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT I. The first and the second five year Development Plan. The aims of National Development is not merely the pursuit of economic growth but also thé establishment of ever stronger foundations for social justice. It in not just efforts to increase production, but the creation of more employment opportunities; progress of the Indonesian Nation as a whole and increasing, real welfare for every citizen; not material progress alone, but at the same time Spiritual satisfaction. " It is to. be understood that the improvement of the mental health should be in harmony with the betterment of the standard of living, to be enjoyed egually by the'entire |Indonesian Nation. Apart from the harmonious balance between the material and spiritual satisfaction, 4 other types of harmony are to be reached after through National Development, viz: a. The harmonious relationship between man and his God. oe b. The harmonious relationship amongst men them selves as well as between men and nature. J The harmonious relationship between nations. d. The harmonious balance between worldly ambiticns and spiritual aspirations for hereafter happiness. The National development further endeavours to the character building of the Indonesian Nation so as to make them realise the necessity of developing a better future and to encourage their self-reliance in their efforts-to change their fate. The First Five Year Development Plan has started with the fiscal year of 1969/1970 and has terminated in the fiscal year of 1973/1974. During this period, the - development was foremost concentrated in the agricultural-sector, with the main stress on the production of food. === [PDF page 33] === Based on the results of the First Five Year a Plan and the growing ability of the Indonesian people, the aims of the Second Five Year Development Plan are to achieve the following -targets: a. The supply of sufficient food and clothing of better quality and within the purchasing power of the people; b. The supply of materials for house- construction and other facilities. especially for the people at large; Ka c. More. and better infrastructural facilities;. d. More equitable and better social welfare; e. Expansion of employment opportunities. .THE PARTICIPATION AND INTEGRATION OF THE INDONESIAN WOMEN IN THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. It’s a matter of fact that in all fields of development, the indonesian womenhave participated actively and will continue in doing so, although it has to bé*admitted that much has still to be done so as to acquire equal status with their fellow countrymen in... the fulfilment of their role in the National Development. Nonetheless, the participation of the Indonesian women is more or less decisive for the National Development to be succes - ful, to be proved in the following fields: 2.1. Population 2.5. Social Welfare 2.2. Cooperatives 2.6. Religion 2.3. Education 2.7. Rural development 2.4. Public Health.. 2.1. POPULATION. i The census carried out in 1971 showed that the Indonesian population reached 119,4 million. With an annual growth rate of 2,3% to 2,4% within 29 years the amount will be doubled. The following index shows the growth of the Indonesian people within the five year period as from 1973 to 1978: ' Year (Population in millions) growth rate 1973 126,1 — 1974 129,1 2, 4Io 1975 132,1 2,3% 1976: 135,2 2,3% 1977. 138,3 2,3% 1978 141,6 2,6% === [PDF page 34] === The high rate of population growth is due to the constant high rate of birth, as well as to the decreasing rate of death. Research workers have come to the conclusion that the average Indonesian women has given birth to six or seven children, while demographists are inclined to estimate roughly that the rate of birth is 44, for every 1000. Realizing the huge amount of population and its high rate of growth, the Indonesian Government -is undertaking a number of important measures through several. program mes, where the Indonesian women have a considerable role to play: a. Family planning: N With the establishment of the Coordinating Body for National Family Planning in 1970 following the. Government's decision to cope with the population problem, the Family Planning Programme becomes nation-wide. The aims and objectives of the National Programme are: (i) The improvement of health and prosperity of mother and child in particular, and that of the family and nation in general. (ii) The betterment of the standard of living by reducing the birtl» rate, so that the growth rate will not have an impeding influence on our promotion ipa in the field of production. Actually gratifying results have been achieved since 1957 when the Programme of Nationat Family Planning has been firstly initiated by- various associations, especiafly to be mentioned here is the Association for the Indonesian wational Family Planning (PKBI).- Approximately 54.000 new acceptors have been registered in the period between 1969-1970, while in 1975 this amount has accumulatively raised until approximately 4% million. The acceptots,’ all women,, are treated in special Family Planning Clinics, which are now 2235 in total.. In the First Five Year Development Plin, the Family Planning Programme has been concentrated in six provinces in.Java and Bali,. taking into con sideration the dense population in the above-mentioned regions. As to the next Programme, the area is broadened. by adding ten more provinces outside Java Bali, " xX. hoped that by the end of the Second Five Year Development Plan ten other more provinces could be included in the National Programme so that the target of 9 million could be attaihed at that time. As far as the share of the Indonesian women is concerned in the Family. Planning Programme, not only do the acceptors consist of women, even most of the instructors and supervisors as well’ as the Heads of the Clinics are nearly all women. This is due to the fact that part of the Indonesian society, traditi- _ onally and because of the socio-cultural conditions, are not accustomed to the idea of males having access to these problems. | At the moment there are 2.25P midwives directly involved in the.medical treatment of the. Family Planning Programme, besides their assistants arid the nurses who gre of about the same quantity. | === [PDF page 35] === Besides the role of the Indonesian women as health inspectors in the Family Planning Programme, one can not deny the important part the women also play in preparing the society towards the Programme. The so called Dwi-Karti Programme is one of the many activities women have ini- #Ated in this country in the gontext of the Family Planning objective. Population problems are constantly submitted for discussion during friendly gatherings or put before meetings of various women organizations dealing with several matters, including social and educational problems as well. This is the share the women have to contribute. to make the Family Planning Programme a succes, besidés the dedication of the Programme instructors themstlves. b. Transmigration. The main objectives of transmigration are: (i) The village of the thinly populated land outside the island of Java. | (ii) The encouragement of an extensive economic potential power and the enlarge ment of the labour possibilities.. (iii) The enhancement of regional integration, economically as well as social culturally. There are 2 types of transmigration: (i) General transmigration. (ii) Social transmigration. With social transmigration is meant transmigration of those people affected by natural disaster and jobless person. Within five years (1969 - 1973) 32.713 heads of family, or 136. 393 eens have been transmigrated. In this field the women as wives have proven their energetic attitude, and owing to their endurance in assisting their inusbands in cultivating those virgin lands, the transmigration Plan may be called a success. The women’s role and participation in the field of the transmigration programme includes a.o.: a. to encourage transmigration and to contribute to the success of this project. . to provide vocational and professional training to the transmigrants before their departure in preparing them for their future. c. to initiate course on health in their capacity as women instructors in the field of transmigration. d.to stimulate the women activities in their new surroundings, model housewives will be elected in the transmigration villages, to be followed by the election of rural model housewives on national scale. For the Second Five Year Development Plan the transmigration of 250.000 heads of family is planned, meaning 1.250.000 people, of which amount 250.000 wives 20 === [PDF page 36] === will be participating in the realization of the development activities in the field of population. 2.2. Cooperatives. The development in the field of cooperatives is quite promising in the last five years. In the First Five Year Plan 36.999 instructors in the fidld of \cooperatives have successfully completed their education and training, thus enabling the 13.349 cooperatives in 1969 to become 18.850 in 1973. From these instructors, 6.000 has become a.n In the next Five Year Development Plan (1974 - 1978) the cooperatives will be more accentuated on their economic function, although its originally social function will not be entirely put aside. Priority will be given to the development of the highest rural coordinating body of village cooperatives, the cooperatives in the field of fishery and cattle-breeding, the cooperatives of small-scale industries and handicraft, housing etc. The role the women could play, however small in the development of cooperatives, could deeply influence the nation-wide development. The most suitable cooperatives for women to work at are those dealing with consumption, deposito, handicrafts, credits etc. When given the same opportunity, women have’ proven to have the same capabilities as men in performing their duties. It is notable’ that at present women begin to get active in cooperatives. Nearly all women organizations in Indonesia embody cooperative activities in their structure to help its members, like e.g. cooperatives for deposito and handicraft products. The National Council of Indonesian Women (KOWANI) has even a cooperative institute under the name of Daya Wanita (women’s capacity) which sells handicraft and~ needlework of its members to the public. Not only in the field of hand work or*.consumption cooperatives, even in the production cooperatives women have shown their ability, like the cooperative of decorative plants/sea orchids in Maluku, a region in East Indonesia. All those women activities in early life either as producer or as consumer when proper ly guided and encouraged, could become supporting elements in the Development Programme of Cooperatives. 2.3. Education. Due to limited educational facilities and means which are not in proportion to the rate of growth of schoolage children, too many young children are not- in the position to get proper education. Within five years (1969 - 1973) the number of children at the Elementary School level has risen with 0,8 million. While 12,8 million school children in 1969 has gone upwards to 13,6 million in 1973, The following index shows the number of children at the Elementary School level, 21 === [PDF page 37] === the teachers gieeded for children between 7-12 years, and the percentage in PROPOR ' to the population. “INDEX I et Ja EA Sin Dan No a. 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 " |. Children (x 1.000.000) 13,6 14,7 15,9 17,3 19,0 20,9 2, Raise in percentage - 8,1 8,1 8,8 98 10,0 3. Teachers needed (x 1000) 2.425 445 455 475 495 525 4. School going children bet- | ween 7- 12 years old (x 1.000.000). ' “11,8 13,3 14,9 16,6 18,1 19,6 5. Population between 7 - 12. years old 20,7 21,2 218 23 22,7. 23,0 6. Percentage ad (4) in pro- Se - portion to ad (5) 57,0 62,7, 68,3 74,4 79,7 85,2 The ext index describes the number of students and teachers at Secondary School level and the admittance capacity. INDEX II i a ai! No. -1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1. Student (x 1.000)’ 1.536 1.625 1.723 1.829 1.940 2.056 2. Raise in percentage — 5,7: 6,0 6,1 6.0 6,0 - 2. Teachers needed (x 1.000) 90,4 94.2 94,6 97,0 99,4 101,9 4. Children having passed through: Elementary School and admit- ‘- ted in the. First Grade (x 1.000) 642 ' 660 703 718 “740” 794 5. Children having passed through - | Elementary School (x 1.000) 818 ~ 861 871 889 940 1.000 6. Percentage ad (4) in proportion to ad (S) in the previous year. _7 80,7. 81,6 82,4 83,2 85,0 The index below shows the number of students and teachers at High School level and the admittance capacity towards students from the Secondary School (under the super - vision of the Department of Education and Culture). 22 === [PDF page 38] === INDEX III - No. 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977. 1978 1. Students (x 1.000) 686. 726. 766 806 846 886 2. Raise in percentage _- -. 58 5,5 5,2 5,0 4,7 3. Kan needed (x 1000) 52,0 53,9 54,0 55,5 57,0 59,0 4. Students having passed through secondary school and admitted in the First Grade of the High School (x 1.000) _ 275 298 304 - 315 332 357 5. Students having passed through 5 the secondary school (x 1.000) 373 379 389 409 439° 472 6. Percentage ad (4) in proportion ‘ to ad (5) in the previous year — 79,8 80,2 81,0 81,1 81,3 Pursuant to article 31 of the 1945 Constitution where every citizen is entitled to obtain education, women, without exception, now have access to all types and devel of education. - . But it is only after a long and hard struggle that the Indonesian women finally: attained the above mentioned -constitutional right. * The struggle of the Indonesian women during the Dutch colonialization resulted in the establishment of special schools for young girls accentuating on hand and noel Wah kindergarten, and schools on domestic economy. People began to get interested in having their daughters attending schools, as aresult of which many girls continued their studies at the same schools as the boys. Apart from school education for girls, prominent women personalities in the struggle for independence began to initiate teachings for women in needle-work and reading. It was entirely on a personal basis since at that time no women organization has yet been established., " The struggle of the Indonesian women can not be separated from the struggle of the Indonesian nation as a whole. The founding of the national movement under the name of Budi Utomo was soon to be followed by the establishment of women organizations. Their activities are mostly- ° concentrated on giving course to oleh whose position in the society at that time was far behind the men. co At the First Women Kendra in Jogyakarta in 1928 it was decided to multi- ‘ply schools for girls who wanted to study further. One of the decisions taken at the second women congress in Jakarta is that every women organization present at the congress should fight against illiteracy. The religious circles also strove at making head against illiteracy. In its Cong- _ 23 === [PDF page 39] === ress in 1937, the Islamic Organization Mohammadiyah decided to eradicate illiteracy, primarily amongst women. | Besides education for women, through these organizations nationalism and love for its native land is being aroused and fostered. After Independence, people, from all strata in the society have access to all fields of education, the elementary as well as the higher learnings. The Police Force was pioneering the admittance of girls in their training, fok | lowed by the other Armed Forces, like the Navy, -the Air Force and the Army. The activities of the women organizations in the field of education, either formal or nonformal, keeps on flourishing, quantitively as well as qualitatively. The Presidential Instruction No. 6 - 1975 on the Assistance for Establishing Elementary School buildings in 1975/1976, reflects the Government’s policy in the educational sector during the Second Five Year Development Plan. ' In accordance herewith, 10.000 Elementary School building will be rehabilitated with the Government’s Assistance. ‘The Women Organizations participate actively in this programme by providing the necessary school teachers. . _Prior to Presidential Instruction No. 6 - 1975, the Presidential Instruction No. 6 - 1974 provided for the establishment of 6.000 Elementary School buildings. These Assistance Programmes aim at increasing the learning possibilities for children betweenthe age of 7 to 12 years. The women organizations hail the Covernment’s policy in the field of elementary education, as it is very much in line with their, aspirations to have the education in Indonesia continuously improved. In the efforts to upgrade the ‘skill ahd aptitude of women, the following courses and training place have been opened: (a) The courses for the education of family welfare. Its aim is to enhance the mental and physical health in the family life. 4b} The training for Instructors in the education of family welfare... The objective is the formation of women instructors in sustaining family welfare. (c) The course for guides and educators of family welfare. | Through these courses it is hoped that planners and guides could be formed for family welfare. (d) The course for women aptitude. Those following the course are hoped to become aptitude producers through the coo peratives for production. (e) The course for child care. This course provides for skilled labour in child care in rural areas. () The House For Women Activities. a piace in the district society where housewives get training in several Skills. === [PDF page 40] === Eradication of illiteracy. In 1964° the Indonesian Government declared to be emancipated from illiteracy, meaning that people between the age of 13 and 45 years has fulfilled the minimum standard requirements in reading and writing in latin characters, " However, the census in 1971 pointed out that illiteracy turned up again, since no efforts have been undertaken to back up the Government’s policy in this matter. To top all the compulsory education at that time could not yet been implemented. Based on these facts, starting with the First Five Year Development Plan, the Government re-animated the -programme of eradicating illiteracy, alone, as well as in cooperation with the women organization. It also encouraged people who have just started reading and writing. In the context of making the programme a success, the women organizations invented special programmes.In 1973 they started with a competition in the illiteracy eradication among themselves, In the following years, the illiteracy policy is not only addressed specially to women, but it has been intensified and coordinated for the benefit of the whole society.; Consequently, Indonesia participated in the International Competition For The Eradication of Illiteracy in order to win the Syahansjah Pahlevi Cup. It also practic- > ed functional literacy. This is in line with the.Government’s policy in the Second Five Year Development Plan-(1974 - 1979), which provides among others that efforts to eradicate _illiteracy must be incited. This must further be in step with the achievements in the context. of the overall programmes in the field of adult education to develop social responsibility and skills, including the training in family welfare for women. 2.4. Health Averagely 46 from every 1000 Indonesians are ailing. The most complaints are to be found amongst children at the age of less than one month, which forms 15% of the “Whole population. Next in line are children between the age of 1 (one) month and 4 years, forming 8% of the Indonesian people. The lowest morbidity tate is noted amongst people ranging from 5S years to 24 years old.. This entity counts 2% to 3% of the Indonesian populations. From every 1000: babies; born annually, 125 - 150 dies before reaching the age of one year. This is mainly due to inflamation in the bronchials and in the gastro-intestional organs. ‘ The health problem in Indonesia is yery mui’ the same as in other developing [Unreadable] — mumerous contagious diseases — no satisfactorily public knowledge and awareness of a healthy living — no sufficient hygiene and sanitation. — high rate of birth. — high rate of death of babies and children before reaching the age of five years old. '— malnutrition within the greatest part of the society. Before, health care is accentuated on hospital treatment, but nowadays efforts are made to develop medical treatment for an integrated community. Thus, medical treatment is not " 25 === [PDF page 41] === only given in hospitals but also in other institutions like PUSKESMAS (Society Heaith Centre), BKIA (Pavillion for Mother and Child Welfare) and BP (Polyclinics). At the moment there are 2.343 PUSKESMAS, 5.729 BKIA, 7124 BP, and 588 hospitals, spread over the whole country. NUMBER OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF HEALTH OFFICERS AT THE END OF REPELITA I (FIRST FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN) AND ESTIMATED NUMBER AT THE END OF REPELITA II (SECOND FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN) YEARS: 1974/1975 — 1978/1979 _ By switching from hospital oriented health care to community health care, it is felt necessary that health officers are to be adopted to their new task. Function Number at end of Estimated number First Five Year,, at end of Second Development Plan Five Year Development. 1. Doctor 6,221 10,500 2.a. Nurse (academicy 439 939 b. Health Inspector. 597 972 c. Nutrition Officer 131, 231 'd. Instructor of Nurses, Instructor of Midwives, 8 Public Heait Officer 601 1276. 3.a. Assistant Hygiene Inspector 1,081 3,519 b. Instructor of nurses (1 year) _ 8 998 Instructor of midwives (1 year) Public Health Officer (1 year) | 4. a. Midwife 42,323 15,823 b. Nursing supervisor, 7,736 16,686 mental health nurse 7 c. Nutritionist Administrator, 199 ' 399 d. Analyst Administrator 608 1,233 e. Pharmacist Administrator 4,573 13,698 f. Nutritionist and Dietician 472 1349 5. Health Superintendant 24,248 41,498 The facts show that women can play a role in all health activities. No field is closed to them. As housewives and mothers as members of women’s organizations, as employees of government bodies or offices, women have taken an active part in health activities. Important roles for women are, among others, in the field of health instruction, covering 26 === [PDF page 42] === hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, family, planning, and the use of health services and facilities Providing the people with information and instruction is very important, because Public Health does not only mean- making available health facilities and increasing the: number of officers, but cultivating in the people an understanding and conviction of the need to live hygienically. More attention is being given to problem of health in the Second Five Year Development Plan. Presidential Instruction No. 7 of 1975 on the Development of Health Services for 1975/1976, provides for the setting up of 500 Public Health Centers, and women' s organizations are actively participating in giving instruction and information at these centers. In the field of health women will be found playing a role: 9 a. In the family. " La Healthy living begins in the family, which is the smallest unit of society. In every family the importance of the role of women as housewives and mothers cannot be denied. The cleanliness of the environment, nutritious food, and activities involving the health of the family depend on women as housewives and mothers. b. In society., In society the role of women, both as individuals and as members of organizations, has been demonstrated by the many acfivities which they have carried out: helping as volunteers in many different kinds of health services, giving information; organizing training and upgrading courses and seminars in the field of health. . In the government. As government employees, women are active in health activities, planning as well as implementation. Available data show that the number of women health employees is about 54,126. 2.5. SOCIAL WELFARE The present problems of social welfare can be classified as follows: a. Persons who are backward because of social, physical, and mental conditions and are therefore prevented from becoming decent members of the society. These include: — people with physical and mental defects ° $ — juvenile delinguents. — the uncared-for aged — the unemploy?d/the homeless: — prostitutes — victims of floods and other catastrophes b. Persons for whom, because of economic and social cultural reasons, it is difficult to accept and understand rational changes. é Included in this group are members of society in poor areas and slums, who live be- 27 === [PDF page 43] === - low the subsistence level, with a per capita income, on the ”desa” level, of less than Rp. 12.000,— c. Persons who are extremely sensitive to changes in the social structure as a result of "the process of development. Included in this group are the: younger generation. , The estimated number of these groups is as follows: eee Problem Group 1. The unemployed tena 2. Flood victims - Neglected children 4. The physically and mentally defective and the blind 5. Prostitutes 6. The Aged 7. Groups isolated from society 8. Families living under Subsistence level 9. Juvenile delinquents Number 61,901 1,115,470 16,800,000 “3,500,000 ' 250,000 2,400,000 1,500,000 33,600,000 895,656 “8,884,210 — latest figure. Percentage with .relation to population. (1971 census) 10% 38% 12% 29% 34% Information — with respect to number of persons accepted for - employment in the ”desas”. — inhabitants of Jaya and Madura. ' — children from 5 - 19 years of age. —with respect to total population of Indonesia oo the agesof 15 and 24 in the cities. — between 55 and 75 years’ of age — outside Java. — With respect.to population of the desa” — children between 1S and 24 years of age. Because of several limiting factors, for 5 years (1969 - 1973), of all the social welfare problems outlined above, only 2% have received ‘social welfare services and in the next 5 year period (1974 - 1978) it is hoped that this figure will be increased to 10%. +28 === [PDF page 44] === In the field of social welfare the role and participatian of women is extremely important, especially that of women's organizations. a. Of 299 orphanages which take care of 14,274 orphans, most of them are organized by women’s organizations, united in the Association of Orphanages*(BKS b. The Foundation for the Care of Defective Children (YPA) with btanches in Jakarta, Surakarta, Surabaya and Palembang, is nearly entirely organized by women. c. The Taman Penitipan Anak (creches or day nurseries), places for working.mothers to keep their children so that while they are at the office or factory ar market their children’s physical and spiritual needs will be taken care of, are organized by women’s organizations. 2 There are at present 10 day. nurseries, in different places throughout Indonesia. d. The Agency for Coordination and Supervision of Social Activities (BPKKS)was set up in 1966 at the suggestion of several women in Jakarta, with Mrs. Soenarti Nasution as Chairperson: The purpose of the organization is to assist the Govern- . ment of Jakarta in dealing with the social problemsthat arise in the Jakarta Municipality. Other activities: | 1) The Association of Orphanages, coordinating 24 orphanages/homes for neglected children, nursing homes for babies and physically and mentally. defective child - ren, with a total of 1700 children, 2) Agency for the Blind, coordinating homes for the blind and massage parlors (for graduates of institutes for the blind) in the Jakarta Municipality, with a total of 350 persons. 3) The Santi Rama Development Cgnter, which deals with special education. ‘ 4) The Panti Werdha Association, which coordinates 6 homes for the aged, with ° 192 persons, to provide nursing care and social welfare for the aged. 26 RELIGION In Indonesia there are many different religions: Thgse acknowledged by the Government are: Muslims (87.13%); Protestants (5.17%); Roman Catholics (2.45%), Buddhists (1.07%); Hindus (2.02%). Other faiths make up, the remaining 2.16%. The many different places of worship in Indonesia show the plurality ot Indonesia’s religion. Na. The Second Five Year Development Plan provides for the following activities to achieve deveiopment in the field of religion: 29 === [PDF page 45] === a, Increasing religious consciousness and practice and faith in The Almighty God, so as to develop Indonesians who fear God and love their country ‘and their people. b. Realizing this religious awareness and practice and belief in an attitude towards life and living that stimulates development and the solution of social and cultural problems that are obstacles to development. c, Cultivating and developing motivation in society and in religious bodies to promote the participation of religious groups in national development. The role of women in religion is very important, especially as teachers, 2.7. DEVELOPMENT OF SOGIETY IN THE VILLAGES (DESA) The development of society in the desa consits of sectoral activities and activities involving the participation of the people, as follows: — Sectoral activities., - These are activities of several different government departments or bodies. They must be coordinated from the center.to the desa level, where the coordination becomes the responsibility of the Governor, the Bupati or Mayor, the District Head and the Village Head. — Participation of the People | Village development involving the participation of the peopleis carried out by the people themselves, in whom awareness and responsibility are developed by a change in mental attitude, view of life, and way of thinking, so" that the potential of the village can be used in national development. The Department of Home Affairs has set up a Social Development Agency for the Desa as a center of participation, of communication between the government and the people themselves, and also as a forum where knowledge and skills in the field of orga - nization and administration and the implementation of national development can be improved. “ . Tie goal of this agency is to reach the people who are didecated to national develcpment. The agency can be used by all departments to carry out their desa programs such as the Mass Guidance in Agriculture program, the Intensification Program, the Coordinating Body for Cooperatives in the villages, Family Planning, improvement of nutrition, etc. One of the main programs of this agency is the Development of Family Welfare. To improve the abilities, education, and skills Of women in the desa, training courses for Family Welfare Education have been set up. Covering 10 facets of living: — Internal family relationships — Caring for children in the family === [PDF page 46] === — - Food, including the production of food — Clothing, including the making and wearing of clothing ‘.. — Good housing. " — Physical and spiritual health — Household finances - 2 \ — Household administration ‘ — Physical and emotional security — Good planning. 5 National development covering the "desas”, the cities, and the regions, unites the Indonesian people in achieving the development of the entire archipelago inte one political, economic, socio-cultural, and defense and security unit. The purpose of village development is to improve the standard of living of the people and is mandatory in laying a foundation for the development and growth of a healthy national economy. 3. PROBLEMS WHICH REQUIRE ATTENTION — The women of Indonesia must still work hard to improve their ability to read and write Latin letters, especially in the "desa’’, because about 50% of the population of Indonesia can only read and write Arabic letters or their own regional languages. The purpose of increasing literacy is to increase the participation of the people-in-—nat! onal development.. = In several regions there are still women who must work hard to make a living far their families, while their husbands fill their time with their own hobbies such as taking care of "perkututs”, playing chess, gathering to talk in the village ”warung”, flying kites, etc. 5 Women's organizations consider such practices in the villages a challenge to take intensive measures to give instruction and develop motivation to change the situation, so that the men in the villages become more active in earning a living for their families, thereby increasing their participation in national development. === [PDF page 47] === “CHAPTER III INDONESIAN'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARD WORLD PEACE Since Indonesia is an archipelogic nation, situated between two continents Asia and Australia reflecting respectively eastern and western culture, the role towards the maintaming of peace and stability in Asia and the Pasific is of high importance. As a nation having experienced the bitter oppression of colonization, being also denied of human rights, we are convinced of the right of every nation to pursue itsown course and destination. Hence, Indonesia rejects all forms and manifestations,of political, economic, social and ‘cultural domination of nation over other nations. As a developing nation, heavily engaged in securing the prosperity over its people, Indonesia, with its active non-aligned foreign policy has always shared its role for the achieve ment of peace and stability over the entire world.. s. As a nation in South East Asia, Indonesia will always actively maintain peace and stability in this region, based on the principle of mutual respect and the right’ to pursue its own course and destination. We are convinced that this manifestation of peace and stability in South East Asia is an active contribution toward world peace. Within the above-mentioned context, the achievement of peace in South East Asia was reflected in 1967 with the founding of the Association of South East Asian Nations consisting of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines to unite and promote regional co-operation in the field of economic and social cooperation amongst its member countries to prevent outside domination over the region. Besides, we also realize the importance of national law and order and the need of alertness toward certain factors which mighteimperil peace such as expansionism, domination over other nations politically as well aseconomically, the use of force in overcoming disputes, subversion, intervention, racial discrimination, religious intolerance and other economic crisis. 33 === [PDF page 48] === _ 1. Role, participation and activities of the Indonesian women in maintaining peace. Peace and stability are the basic principles of the Indonesian political aims, as it-forms a prerequisite to assure development. Without peace and stability development could’ not be implemented. Moreover, it is of prime importance that equal rights and responsibility for men and women alike should be assured and implemented in all aspects of activities to safeguard economic development. Integrated in the process of the rise of nations is the emancipation of womari, 0 Women participation in‘ tle past were known in ths nation building process to achieve, to maintain and to secure independence, while currently women activities are integrated in the Indonesian programmes. The activities of the women in the international world are among others: participation of women in the Indonesian Delegations consisting of components of government representatives as well as representatives of” social groups to the Inter Asian Relations — Conference in New Deihi in 1947, where Indonesia as a new independent nation in Asia participated in the founding of the principles of the decofonization process of nations, on the basis of the right of every nation to pursue and deterinine its own destiny and non-interference. The presence and participation of the Indonesian Women in various conferences, seminars and meetings of international character have shown the active role of the women in international relations to assure the under standing and cooperation amongst nations, which ultimately decrease world tensions. The various women activities in international meetings are as follows: a. Attended United Nations Conferences. . General Assembly of the United Nations, Illrd and IVth Committee (social, human rights and culture) respectively in 1950 to 1974. . United Nations Technical Assistance Conference, 1950 . Correspondent Yearbook on Human Rights, 1950 to 1952. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 1956, 1967, 1974 wT ek Ww . United Nations Functional Commissions a. Population Commissions, 1950 to 1954 and 1972 up to now b. Commission on the Status of Women, 1958, 1964, 1972 to 1975 c. Commission on: Social Development 1971 - 1972 6. United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in apa and Lia, 1975.- a Food and Agricultural Organization Conference (FAO), 1958 - 196! - World Health Organization, in Geneva, 1973 with its General Assembly chaired by an Indonesian Woman Delegate “ 9. UNICEF, meeting of the Executive Board as well as the Secretariate in 1951, 1952, 1957, 1959, 1971 to 1973. 10. United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA with and Indonesian Woman as member of the Executive Board. . United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East ECAFE, 1955. === [PDF page 49] === b. Conferences sponsored by the United Nations. 1. Opium Conference in New York, 1953. 2. International Conference on Human Rights in Teheran, 1968with a woman as Head of the Indonesian Delegation. 3. World Population Conference; Bucarest, 1974, c. Other International Conferences. 1. International Red Cross Conference in Teheran 1973. 5 2. Diplomatic Conference on the Re-Affirmation and Development of International Law applicable in armed conflicts in Geneva 1974, 1975 with a woman as head of the Indonesian delegation. d. Regional Conferences The Indonesian women have always participated actively in regional conference either as member or as head of the delegations, with conferences or specialized character a.o. economy, social culture in the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pasific (ESCAP). Also other specialized agencies such as United Nations Children Fund,(UNICEF ); World Health Organization WHO; International Labour Organization (ILO); United Nations Organization and Scientific Cooperation (UNESCO), and others. On national level, the Indonesian women have contributed their share iia and wholeheartedly in maintaining peace. . Ever since the struggle for Indpendence, the Indonesian women actively appealed to the United Nations, to the International Red Cross and to the In-" ternational women organizations, to make attempts in finding peaceful solution every time a region is threatened by war, and called on those international intitutions to render help to the war-affected parts of the world tor humanitarian reasons, . The Indonesian worken have participated actively in the building up of the national defence by creating the LASKAR WANITA (women corps) du- “ring the struggle for independence..\ When independence has been reached a ‘ women corps as part of the Armed Forces is called into being, changed with i the maintenance of security and order if the country. 3. Participation in friendly and parliamentary ‘missions. “4. The Indonesian women organizations are always represented in internaticnal congress, seminar and workhshop, either. privately or collectively. 2.Efforts in promoting the participation of women in safequarding peace. The Indonesian women could participate in safeguarding peace: 2.1. on regional/international basis. “ a. by accelerating the good relationship, mutual understanding and qnapearion with the other nations, in general, and whith the: international/regional organization in 25 === [PDF page 50] === 2.2. At national level. a. active women participation is needed in all field of development, in contribution South East and the Pacific in particular, like ASEAN and ESCAP. This could be done throguh regular exchange of information and knowledge on the situation in.each country as well as onthe mutal problema.It also includes the staging of conferences, seminars and programmes to work out development projects among nations. . by taking part in conferences or missions on peace, in the efforts to find peaceful. solution in armed disputes as well as in matters threating the world peace . by enhancing the role of women in humanitarian activities, as the sending of medicine, fundraising to relieve the people’s sufferings especially the women and children in the war effected regions, pursuant to the UN resolution, Geneva Convention and the appeal of the UN Commission on the Status of women. to the maintenance of a constant and firm regional stability in South East Asia in particular, and to keep up world peace in general. ‘ / b. to enhance national endurance in all fields mentally as well as physically. c. to provide informatioi popularly: — on the UN Charter, its convention and resolutions, as well as on its attempts in maintaining world peace, and on the recent worid developments. ' — on the Charter of the fundamental human rights and on the international law relating to peace. |: ~— on the UN programmes supporting the national programmes. d. instheir capacity as mother and primary education in the family: (i). to imprint upon the yoyng generation the values guiding them to have good family standards and to become responsible good citizens of the country and ‘of the world, in order to help create a peaceful, properous and orderly world, guided against the threat of wars. Those values are:” — religious tolerance, appreciation and knowledge of other religions. — mutual respect as basis for good relationship. — fostering the social attitude of generousity to get accustomed to. doing good deeds. /. — friendly relationship, respect and toleration amongst ethnic and racial groups ° and between nations as basis for worldly relations. (ii) to imprint upon the young generation the awareness of avoiding misdeeds like the ‘ misuse of narcotics,, alcohol, gambling and all ddinquencies. (iii) to provide the young generation a guidance in living properly, economically and net ostentiously. 3. PRESENT VIEWS OF INDONESIAN WOMEN ON PEACE 36 Indonesian women are peaceful and non-aggressive. As mothers, they hope for a === [PDF page 51] === bright and peaceful future for their children. As mothers with the role of teacher in the family, they are aware of the importance of cultivating tolerance and good will in their children, They wish to see their children grow up to become persons who love their fellowmen regardless of nationality, race, or relegion. They are saddened by the thought that there is still the problem of "’apartheid” in South Africa, and that there is still religious intolerance and racial discrimination in many parts of the world. According to Indonesian women, these problems can only beovercome by the awareriess that all human beings are God’s creatures and in the eyes of God they are all the same. Indonesian women are also saddened by the misery of the women and children of Indochina as result of the war, and also by the suffering in many other places in the world. > Seeing this, the Indonesian women of the National Committee for The International Women’s Year 1975 sent the following wire directly to the Secretary General of the United Nations: ”To the United Nations Secretary General: \ Wish to appeal to Your Excellency that you assist in finding immediate solution to restore peace in Vietnam, Middle East, and ‘other areas of open, or potential armed conflicts in order to alleviate and stop further suffering and misery of peoples concerned. 5 Urgently requests that you help intensify and that United Nations join Inter - national Red Cross in efforts to relieve suffering of the peoples in those areas”. Peace is one of the main goals of Indonesia's foregin policy because peace is essential to national development. Without peace no development is possible, and to ensure the success of development,: there must be a guarantee of egual rights for men and women in all fields. The women: of Indonesia hope that the United Nations will increase its efforts to achieve international order leading to lasting peace.-They hope that the United Nations will urge its members to carry out all the resolutions of the United Nations and other international conferences relating to international order, especially urging that the nations adhere to the principles of relations between nations, emphasizing the principles of respecting territorial sovereignty and integrity of all couniries; preventing interference ‘ with the internal. affairs of other countries; all nations considering each other as equals regardless of principle of the peaceful settlement of all international disputes; each country attempting to achieve a balance between its own interests and the interests of the world. How fine it would be if all members of the United Nations would respect Basic Rights of Nations, comprising, among other things. — the right of each nation to live freely and egually with other nations, — the right of each nation to live free from any form of foreign domination, — the right of each nation to form its own government*and elett the people who are to have seats in that government, — the right of each nation to arrange. all its own internal affairs; — the right of each nation to.develop in accordance with its own identity. 37 === [PDF page 52] === [Unreadable] Welfare for all the people in the world is a condition for the. Achievement of“last - ing peace. The United Nations must intensify its efforts to improve the standard of living of all the nations of the world. The danger of famine in many parts of the world must be dealth with, This is essentially the joint responsibility of all the peoples of the world. Lasting peace can only be achieved if the whole world enjoys equal welfare. In this connection, the women of Indonesia wish to express their hope that the United Nations will convince its members that this welfare can only be achieved by the participation of men and women without discrimination.: 38 === [PDF page 53] === CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION From all that has been presented above, it can be concluded that the principle of equal rights and equal status for Indonesian citizens is fully guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution. | However, in the implementation of the above principle, there are still many things which are not in conformity with the de jure provisions. The Government of Indonesia, which is presently actively engaged in national development for the welfare af its people, achievement of success in this effort, there must be an enhancement of the role, status, rights, arid responsibility of women, equal to that of the Indonesian people, Panca Sila (The Five Principles). Indonesian’ women, aware of the principle of equal rights as described above, have _ shown their great desire to increase their participation and integration in all fields of the country’s national development. They will continue their efforts to obtain a wider opportunity inthe fields of planning, implementation, supervision and the making of policies and decisions. In this matter the women of Indonesia will not forget their essential function as women in the family as well as their task of BTN moral values in society.: Internationally, the women of Indonesia have done their Share-to realize harmonious internatjonal relations, adhering to “the principles of being free and active politically, loving peace and freedom, respecting the sovereignty of each nation. The duty and responsibility, national as well as international, of all the women of Indonesia, stands out before them, for the achievement of — equal rights and responsibilitjes and Opportunities for the men and wonm of Indonésia;. — full participatioh and integration of the women of Indonesia in Indonesia’s national development, and — peci, external and internal, in the family, the nation, and the world.. May Annagtig God bless the efforts of the women of Indonesia. 39 === [PDF page 54] === [Blank page] === [PDF page 55] === JAKARTA [Unreadable] Ate gp tt at t Ke Ohang, sasa AUSTRALIA MAP OF INDONESIA === [PDF page 56] === STATE MINISTRY FOR PEOPLE'S WELFARE . STATEMENT BY ELE. PROF, DR. SOENAWAR SOEKOWATI, 1 MINISTER OF STATE FOR PEOPLE'S WELFARE OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA AND HEAD OF THE INDONESIAN DELEGATION TO THU INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S YEAR CONFERENCE IN MEXICO, 19 JUNE 2 JULY, 1975, Mr. President. . Your Excellencies, Distinguish Delegates. 1 2. On behalf of the Indonesian Delegation. allow me. first of all, to convey our profound = gralitude to the Government of the United Mexican States for the warin hospitality extended to us and for the excellent arrangements made tor this Conference. | Permit me also to join the previous speakers in expressing our sentiments of appreciation to His Excellency President Luis Echeverria Alvarez tor his inspiring welcoming address. Likewise, | should like to express our thanks to Mrs. Sipila, whose comprehensive opening * statement has provided’ us with valuable guidance, for which we are all most grateful. To Mr. Kurt Waldheim, the U.N. Secretary General we owe our sincere gratitude for afl he has done since the early stage of the preparation and organization for the International Women’s year 1975 and this Conference. Mr. President, it gives me also great pleasure to congratulate you on your clection lo the presidency of this Conference. We are convinced that under your able and wise leadership this Conferene: will attain the objectives for which it was convened and the success to which we all aspire. I should also like to congratulate the Vice Presidents. the Rapporteur and the other disting- Uished members of the Bureau on their election. Mi. Vresident. ' My tead of State has directed. me to enjoy his best wishes for the success of this Conferen [Unreadable] He has athe instructed me to give assurance of Indonesia's keen interrest in’ the proceedings and deliberations of this Conference. — === [PDF page 57] === Mr. President, 3 Yg The convening of this Conference is an ample proof that the improvement of the status of Women, which is faced by many -countries with difterent social and economic systems, is a problem of worldwide concern which requires Concerted national andinterhational action for their successful solution. It is being held as result of the world’s growing awareness of the injustice still being done to the women and our recognition of the important role that women can and should play in the field of development and in the ‘promotion of world peace. We have come to realize that the need to bring an improvement in the anomalous situation is an uggent and imperative need indeed. This realization has come not only as result of our heightened sense of justice but is due also’ to the world’s increassed awareness of the conditions of object, poverty and deprivation in which the majority of mankind and women still lives. _. We all agree that the undertaking requires concerted national and international action to be succesfull. + Mr. President, In this regard, we are most appreciative of the valuable work done by the authors of the draft World Plan of Action, which is to become the international strategy for politics re lated to the improvement of the status of women as part of the international strategi for. the promotion of economic development and social wellbeing and the preservation of cul, tural and sodal values of mankind. ' The primary aim of this plan of action should be to asean the capacity of individual Countries to deal effectively with the problems they face in this endeavour and to generate the aparat response from the international community for mutual cooperation and assistance.: As part of the preparatory arrangements for the Conference, regional cunsultaions have ' been held with a view to harmonizing the views of governments and to arrive ata consensus. | The Asian members of ESCAP have in this connection succeeded in drawing up theAsan. Plan of Action, and also the representatives of women from the countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have come together in Manilla on the eve of this Conference to hold a final exchange of views. In this regard the Indonesian Delegation wishes to express the hope that their views and the contents of the Asian will be appropriately reflected in the World Plan. Obviously there will be a wide divergence of views among the Delegates present: here on both the framework. and contents of the Plan as there existsa@ diversity of socio-economic and cultural conditions within and among different nations.. We are, however, hopeful that through a spirit of accomodation and unity of purpose this Conference will be able to arrive at a consensus. In this connection mayI cite the example of Indonesia. === [PDF page 58] === As you are aware, Mr. President, Indonesia is an archipelagic State consisting of thousands of * islands which are inhabited by a population of diverse ethnic groups, religions and cultural expressions. | Recognizing the existence of this diversity within the unitarian State which-is «Indonesia,, we have adopted as our’ motto, which you can see inscribed inour coat of arms "Bhincka Tunggal Ika”, which means "Unity in Diversity”. It is the ernest hope of my Delegation that the spirit of "Unity in Diversity” will prevail and guide our deliberations in this Conference. Mr. President, | “ We in Indonesia have adopted as the philoshopical basis of our State The PANCASILA, or the Five Basic Principles, which are: Belief in God, Humanism, Nationalism, f - Denocracy,. and Social Justice. In line with those five Basic Principles, we have set as the objective of our National Development Plan the attainment of a sustained imierial and spiritual wellbeing of the individual in a just and prosperous Indonesian society. ‘ This means that we strive a Lalance between the material and spirituil wellbeing and of the family within the society | - a harmony between econdmic development and social justice. For this reason, in our national development plan an equally strong emphasis is given to the development of. social welfare matters like, public health, education, rural and urbandevelopment, improvement of Nutrition, Family planning etc.: These are things which success can be achieved only if women take an active part. This is why we take such great interest in The International Women’s Year and why we believe that, drawing on our own experience, we can contribute more to the elaboration - of the Plan of Action and the attainment of the set objectives. Mr. President. While on the subject of Indonesia, let me say a few words about the situation as regards the status or emancipation d women in our country. On the Twenty third of December 1974, the President of the Republic of Indonesia offic ly proclaimed The International Women’s Year 1975 for Indonesia.on the occasion of the Comnemoration of the 46th anniversary of The Indonesian Mothers Day 22nd December. This is an historical day for. both the Indonesian Women’s movement as well as for the whole Nation, because 46 years ‘ago with the spirit of the Oath of the Indonesian Youth in 1928, The National Women Congress on 22 December 1928 made.the resolution for the “amalgamation of the so many Women’s organization’s in one National Women Organiza: tion. r Previously on the 28th October of 1928, the Indonesian Students and Youth in their Congress had decided to Unite the different youth organizations, reflecting their ethnic origin and === [PDF page 59] === religious belief in One National Indonesian Yotuh Organization with the solemn pledge: 1. They belonged to one Nation: The Indonesian Nation. : 2. They spoke one National language: The Indonesian language. - 3. They had the same Fatherland: Indonesia. On that occassion of the 46th Commentoration of the Indonesian Mothers Day,The Indonesian Government conferred the Title of Heroin to two women troopleaders for the Nation Libe-.ration fight during the 19th century. During the liberation fight in 1945 Indonesian girls and women fought side by side with boys and men in the liberation troops, with the spiritsof our Constitution, of our Republic proclaimed on 17 August 1945, which guarantees the equal right between men and women in the Parliament and all kinds of employment and official functions. All these events attested to the fact that from the early stages of our National History we have already aquired equality on the status of women and men. Mr President, The part played by our women in the national development effort is increasing in importance now that we have entered the Second Five Year Development Bian, formally launched in April of last year. This Second Plan is a’ continuation and acceleration of development efforts méde during the period of the First Five Year Development Plan. While, like in the first Plan, increased food production, development of agro-allied industries and infrastructure remain the central points of our development strategy, the progress achieved in rehabilitating and stabilizing the economy in the First Plan has enabled us to give greater emphasis to socal welfare development now. ‘ The specific objectives of the Second Plan are in addition to the provision of housing materials and other facilities to the general public. the expansion and more equitable distribution of social welfare facilities such as Education, Health, better Nutrition and the creation: of greater employment opportunities.. Broadly speaking, the aim is to create broader and more egual spportunities for the whole collectively and individually, for girls and boys, men and women. - Mr. President, One third of the Indonesia's labour force now is composed of women. Girl students contitute 56% of the student body at teacher training schools. An increasing number of girls are attending technical and vocational training schools, receiving instructions in such subjects as auto-mechanics, chemistry, electronics, animal husbandry, forestry, agriculal etc. There are more and more women, physician, teachers, professors, architects, lawyers and judges even. elected as heads of the village.. ’ Indonesian women, through the various women’s organizations, assist the Government on a voluntary basis in ‘the running and execution of various important social welfare. projects in the National Development Process especially in the rural areas. === [PDF page 60] === Mr. President, In the framework of the International Women’s Year 1975 Indonesia has organised The National Committee, from the National up to Provincial, Regency and district level, which. membership composes of Representatives of all Women organizations and Governmental agencies. While President Soeharto acts as Patron and Madame Tien Soeharto as adviser of the National Committee, the coordination of the Women Organizations and Governmental Agencies incorporated in the National Committee is in hands of the State Minister of People’s Welfare as the Genera! Chairman of the Committee. To assure the best integration and coordination in peripheral level. Governors and Head of Regencies and Districts Supervise the Provincial and local Committees. Programs are going to be implemented and executed a joint efforts between Women Organizations and units of local governmental agencies such as irredication of illiteracy of Women especially in rural a-eas, Nonformal Education and vocational training in the field of health, sanitation, nutrition, home-economics, home-industry, family planning etc. xtc. ' Mr. President, The spirit of International Conferences is indeed because of the global awarenes with the aim to achieve a better quality of life, for men and women, which only could be solved within the context of unified approach of policies and programs as an integral of the overall social economic development Program of all Nations to ensure a standard of ‘living of man kind with human dignity. The active participation of every one, the Young Generation, Women and Young Women certainly will acelerate the speed to achieve the goal of these global programs.. Indonesia is fully aware of the important role of Women in the Development process to intensify and to promote eguality between men and women: to ensure the full integration of women in the total development effort: and to recoqnize the importance of women’s increasing contribution to the development of friendly relations and co-operation among States and the strengthening of peace. Mr. President, My I kindly draw the attention of the Conference to see that in all developing Countries the Ru tal Women constitute a high percentage of the Female population and that,in these countries the bulk of agriculture labour force are women, who many times live with conditions beyond the normal standard of living. It need no to be over remphasized the high value and the very important role of this first International Women Conference attended by distinguised Representatives of Countries from all over the world, who are able to contribute to pave the way the serious and sustained efforts in order that Women in all Countries, especially in developing countries will aquire the equal rights in the every day life, where" they laready share a burden of duties in the commur’:, and: combine these duties outside their home to be adjusted with the social cultural life style of the family as the basic environment for these welfare and happiness. === [PDF page 61] === In concluding, Mr. President, allow me to express the earnest hope of the Government and people of Indonesia, that this Conference will constitute another milestone in the efforts of the international Community for a better and peacefull worl@g where men and women have equal rights, opportunities und duties, and that this Cenference will generate the appropriate spirit of goodwill in order that it may come out with a concrete and concerted World Plan of Action to which we can all subscribe. Thank you. MEXICO, JUNE, 23, 1975 THE STATE MINISTER FOR POPLE'S WELFARE OF THE REPUBLIC OF "INDONESIA. (Prof. Dr. Soenawar Soekowati)