Indonesia: Experiences regarding Co-operation Work (WIDF, 1956)

=== [PDF page 1] === aflets ings buncil— bar hat: 1 that d will ble to Sad Sulledur no. 6/56 ons nO EEG, INDONESIA: Experiences regarding co-operation work: The revorts of the Central Council of the Indonesian Women’s Movement point out the importance of extending co-operation between other women's organisations and the basic organisation of Gerwani. The preblem of broadening the Gerwani cannot be separated from the daily problem of co-operation with other women's organisations and the work among the magses of women. The difficulties experienced by the branches and provinces in strengthening co-operation are in the main due to mistrust and doubts on the part of other organisations towards the Gerwani. outed pis mistrust is being overcome step by step because it is becoming clear/iack Ofcunttod-action weakens the struggle of women in the defence of their rights. For suecessful co-operation on a larger scale, pat#ence, vitality, and vigilance are neoded. Maximum co-operation is, in principle, included in fhe aimga ang activities of the Gerwani: The defence of women and children's rights; The defence of democratic rights; The struggle for national independence and world peace. The carrying out of ail these aims was included in the resolution of co-dperation adopted at the last Congress of the Gerwani. Co-cperation must not be limited to bread activities of permanent co-operative bodies, but must be extended to small activities and celehrations; not limited to women’s organisations, but extended to includs-all organisations with common interests. These activities hava succeeded insofar as the Gerwani has a greater influence among the mangas of women; from the time of, pounert macbingugf the W.I DF. in Genevé to the Council meeting in Peking, e@ membership of the Gerwan. increased from 281,000 to 565,147. Actions in defence of women’s marriage rights recently carried out on a local scale have now daveloped into actions and demands on a national scale. Along with this went actions in the social and economic field, particularly the demand to lower the prices of the daily necessities. Gerwani in the rural communities is co-operating with the peasant orgenisationsa in carrying out actions in support of their demands for increased harvest wages, reduction of land rents, for water and medical supplies, for the restoration eof dykes destroyed by flock - all of these actions strengthen, develep and broaden the basic organisation. In all these actions Gerwani constantly aims at co-operation with other organisations, especially women's organisations. At the All-Indonesie Women's Congress (a co-ordinating body of twonty-three organisations including women's sections of political parties) the Gorwani proposed disdussion of a Charter of Women's Rights. This Charter which is in the interest of the Indonesian women, has now been adopted unanimously. It is of particular importance, especially in connection with the drawing up of the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Following the Bandung Conference, the Gareani took an active part in === [PDF page 2] === the actions for the liberation of Western Irian and the annulment of the Round Table Conference agreements; also in the all-Indonesian Peoples’ Congress which aims. to form a national front against colonialism. The celebrations of International Women's Day, although initiated by the Gerwani, were welcomed by other organisations which participated in them - one result was a decision to set up a welfare service for women workers in the capital of Djakarta. Arising out of these celebrations a delegation consisting of 200 women from different groups approached the President of the Republie of Indonesia with the following demands: i Lower prices of daily necessities; 2. No more use of atomic and nuclear weapons; Ds A democratic marriage law. The Gerwani does not confine itself to activities inside the country, but also takes part in international gatherings. For example, in prepering for the Mothers’ Congress at Lausanne, it set up a National Preparatory Committee, consisting of sevfral women's organisations. A delegation of nine women, representing various groups, subsequently went to Lausanne. A @élegation was also sent to attend the Fourth Anniversary of the establish ) %> ment of the Peoples’ Republic of Rumania. Just recently Indonesia wasrepresented at the @.I.D.F. COuncil meeting in Peking by representatives of the Gerwani, of the women's section of the Indonesian Islamic League Party, and another women prominent in the public life of Indonesia. mp ee