Mudikdio, 'Indonesien': pidato pada Kongres IV WIDF, Wina, 1958

=== [PDF page 1] === INDONESIEN Mrs MUDIKDIO Mrs. Mudikdio raises the necessity of special emphasis on the Peasant women and proposes the holding of a seminar on this question by the W.I.D.F. She also Presents the activities of the G.E.R.W.A.N.I. for reforming the marriage law, Vice-Chairman of GERWANT and Head of the Indonesian Delegation “IT welcome the report given at this Conference and I am of the opinion that all the items in it are correct. In fact, they picture the in all fields, especially in colonial and underdeveloped countries, Thi is because of the remnants of feudalism, imperialist oppression and conservative ways of thinking. All these cause the backwardness of women in all fields, Look, dear friends, women in colonial and dependent countries usually do not receive a good education, and moreover, the percentage of illiteracy is highest among the women, I » discrimination still exists, except in people’s democracies and socialist countries. === [PDF page 2] === 8 colonial countries, of an agricultural t a A Yybe, without a developed industry, mi there is a group of women which suffers the most and most strongly xs feels the effects of discrimination. This is the women peasants, a For us women from an agricultural country this question of women ‘ peasants is very important. [Unreadable] a I understand that it is not Possible to discuss each group in society, women. In the report, the interests of the women Pp all been sufficiently mentioned and stressed. The right we are claiming for equal wages for equal work does not apply to the women peasants, because this only refers to women easants have not tion. The highest figure of illiteracy is also among the women peasants, and is 50 per cent in Indonesia out of an overall percentage of 15, May be the situation in your countries is different from ours, but in our country, the problem of the women peasant has not been solved. That is why I would like to Propose to the W.LD.F. that they study this problem of women peasants thoroughly and try to find a way to solve this problem. Perhaps we could arrange for a seminar to be held alter receiving a complete report on this matter, or propose that this 7 conference should make a draft law to be presented to the government; a in each country concerning the protection of women peasants, | Third Congress of Gerwani (Indonesian Women's Movement — membership over 600,000)., === [PDF page 3] === i sition of the women peasants is difficult. They eke os Tckeet workers, not harbour workers, not industrial workers. Their working power is however a decisive one, especially in agricultural countries. Because those who cultivate the pady are women, the ones who bring in and take care of the harvest are women, and the ones stamping the pady are women too. In addition they fulfil their duties as mothers, and run the household. ‘They have no rights and no protection. The distribution of the land is given to the head of the family and not to the women. The second problem: The Marriage Law. « Under Dutch colonialism, the Indonesian women struggled for 300 years for national independence and for a democratic marriage law, but they did not succeed. Now, alter 12 years of independence, this is about to be applied and a draft Marriage Law has already been presented to the Indonesian — Parliament. Discussions on this matter have not yet taken place. ] In 1954, GERWANI forwarded a draft to its members to be discussed. The main points are based on the principle of the article 1$ of the Human Rights Convention, a Marriage Law should be enacted on the following three points: 1. Equality in marriage, which means, a young girl should not be compelled by her parents or by anybody else to marry, because of economic questions or others. She should marry according to her own wish. 2. During the marriage, in the household and in society, there should be no difference between the rights of the wife and the rights of the husband. They should have the same right in the education of their children and to property rights. 3. The same rights in the case of divorce, for instance the grounds for divorce to be the same for women as for men. At present, in marriage, in the household, in divorce, the rights are those of the husband, so that they are often used in a despotic way. Although we are not satisfied with the draft Marriage Law which is now in Parliament, and the GERWANI has not handed in its own a favourable balance of votes in parliament, — we the GERWANI and ten other women’s organisations, welcomed _ this draft and wish that this should be ratified as soon as possible — during the next session of parliament. 7 The 5 members of the GERWANTI in parliament will forward our Proposals and the changes we would like to have. o Because there is still no democratic Marriage law in so many countries and not enough protection for the interests of women, I fully agree to adopt principles for a more progressive marriage law at the | Conference, to be put before our countries through women in parlia-_ ment for their ratification, 3 === [PDF page 4] === J motherhood y limited social security for Countries, none at all, I agree fication of Convention 103 and : The third problem: The Protection o In this case, because there is onl women, and in some underdeveloped to appeal to all countries, for the rati Recommendation 95. Peasants, and especially i ions. i iff ll of us id with all women, there is a difficult task for a 7 Rist is “to prevent war”. Because only in peace, undisturbed by war 2 or war-preparations, only then we will be able to work, to struggle for _ our rights, to defend the rights of children, democracy and gain our _ independence.”