Indonesia: Gerwani Report since the Third Congress (WIDF Information Bulletin, 10/1958)

=== [PDF page 1] === nf. Bull. S. 23H Sb, 445 tA0 INDONESIA No. 10/1454 ts The Gerwani, the Organisation of women of Indonesia, steps up its ctivities in all fields. A survey Since its 3rd Congress. After the 3rd Congress of Gerwani which was held in December 1957, regional conferences attended by district branches were oe arranged to discuss the decisions of the Congress and how $0 carry them out. They discussed the practical application of the Constitution, the increase of membership and the work of the organisation, the extension of activity in defence of women's and children's rights, social problems and the training of leaders of the organisation. For instance in East Java about 29 local branch conferences: were held. Every district conference was attended by delegates from sub-district branches, and observers came from the village | branches. About 100 delegates participated. I] F The conferences made the following decisions: 1. Application of the Constitution - to change the status of branch congress to branch conference. According to the line of the new Constitution, a congress can be called only by the Central Committee, that is a National Congress. It can be attended only by representatives of branches in proportion to their membership. Such representatives will have full voting rights. They should be elected from the sub-district branch Conferences which are attended only by delegates from the villages (village branches). ea ne penn - to explain the rights and duties of a member, e.g. the right to submit proposals, suggestions and criticism and the right to education, and the duty to respect the decisions of the organisation and to observe distipline with regard to them. The organisation has the right to expel a member in the case of disloyalty to the Organisation. The expelled member has the right of appeal to the National Congress. The organisational discipline is valid for ie _@very member including leading functionaries. i | SP eee ~- to clarify the basis of organisation. In the former Constitution, villages and workshops were the organisation's basis, but in the new Constitution this has been changed to local branches. Work shop branches have been dissolved because the trade unions | have become active among women workers. In village branches, a small groups have been formed consisting of at least 5 members | / who are living near one another. A local branch can be set up ip | only when there are at least 20 persons. 4 2. To increase membership and for organisational development ' In-accordance with the plan of work which was adopted by the 3rd National Congress of the Gerwani, the number of members should be increased to twice the existing number before the next Congress. In addition, in regions where no branches exist efforts should be 4 made to set them up. In Java, village and sub-district branches ph A AO a, Ne ES ee pen es === [PDF page 2] === -3already exist. On islands other than Java, district branches must be created as well, This should be done together with Special actions on the defence of women's interests and the needs of the people in general, For instance, in connection with the marriage system, as is known, every woman dislikes polygamy but they are almost forced to accept it because they are economically dependent. The Gerwani understands that as long as there is no thorough Change in Indonesia's economic System, the situation of women will remain like that. Experiance has shown that due to these circumstances and other reasons women have still doubts and Sometimes refuse to ‘ participate in any movement because they are not Sure whether it if Will help to improve their situation. Therefore, the Gerwani in ‘ its activity against polygamy always stresses the necessity to Overcome difficulties, all remnants of a feudal and colonial marriage system, by striving for a new national Marriage law, and for a better living standard, All woments organisations agree that Parliament should take this matter into consideration and discuss the draft of the marriage laws which has been prepared by the Government. In campaigns held on 29th = 30th August, 1958, to explain these marriage laws, Mrs Sumari and Mrs Mudigdio, both members of parliament from the PNI (national party) and the PKI (Communist Parts) - were warmly received by the masses of women, especially in Central Java and the cities of Samarang and Nagelang. The Gerwani itself launched broad discussions to clarify the Marriage laws even in the remotest villages. In addition, Gerwanis activities include the Settlement of problems concerning inheritance, social guarantees for children and women, and divorce decrees for women who have been neglected by their husbands, In such cases the judge must make impartial decisions, since the courts are full of women from different Spheres of society. AS a result of these activities many women bring their problems to the Gerwani. Differences of Opinion between husbands and wives are often solved With advice from the Gerwani. 3. Activities in defence of children have been concretely carried out in collaboration with the Teachers Association and other organ- | isations, for instance concerning: ' - lower education fees - lower prices of study books - the increase of school buildings - the increase of teachers - the increase of the budget for cultural activities and education - the increase of holiday camps for children ~ the granting of subsidies to private schools and kindergartens - the demand for decent literature for children and the abolition of comics and immoral films ~ the demand for children's films - the strengthening of co-operation between teachers and parents. === [PDF page 3] === Pee Every year on June lst, celebrations are held sponsored by the Gerwani in co-operation with other women's organisations. Children of Gerwani members mostly participated in these International Children's Day celebrations. Various children's plays are performed and receptions for parents are organiseds i 4. Social activities for the improvement of living standards Demands are being raised for: - the reduction of the price of rice and increased rice imports from other countries, for instance from the People's Republic of China. - the raising of production by fulfilling the demands of the peasants, by granting pieces of land, seeds, agricultural equipment, manure, credits on easy terms which should be directly given to the | peasants, and not through individual foundations or institutions., To set up communities of village development on the islands. The Gerwani gives its support to the united demands of the workers which they have placed before the Government. Their demands are as follows: to overcome economic difficulties by developing national production, to maintain and to improve industries. To establish united trade relations with other countries, including the People's Democracies, on the principle of equality and mutual benefits. The Gerwani also demands the re-education of the prostitutes concerning their moral standards, health and new occupations. 4 At present the prostitutes are being arrested by the State Police | and are being let off after a few days. 5. Concerning education of leaders Leaders are educated in the Centre and in the provinces. The Central Committee's course for leaders is composed of the leaders of several islands and provinces. The materials for study consist, among other things, of: a- National History, This lecture is given specially to deepen knowledge concerning today's struggle. Analyses and explanations about the revolution of 1945, on the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia and on the struggle for genuine national independence, are also given, b. The history of the WIDF. Materials are taken from the WIDF bulletins. The history of the international women's movement, the influence of the 1945 August Revolution and the revolutions in various other countries, as well as the history on the I and II World Wars, are given as main lectures in this course. c. The history of the national women's movement. Materials are taken from the history of the national movement from the time of the Dutch colonial oppression, the time of Japanese fascism and the period after the proclamation of independence. d. Lectures of Women's Rights. Experiences from daily activities === [PDF page 4] === -5were taken as study materials, discussions on the government's scheme of marria; °WS, and proposals made by members of various parliamentary groups. - to study specific traditions of the regions, for instance Bali, Central Sumatra, etc, This is important because these traditions are very often great hindrances to women's progress because of forced marriage and under-ared marriage, It happens sometimes that young girls are imprisoned because of Opposing forced marriage. e. the problem of children's education and experiences in defence of children's rights, linked up with the government's regulations on this matter have also become main topics of these courses, Preparations for next elections Concerning preparations for the coming parliamentary elections: The first stage in preparation is to register the voters and take measures against attempts by reactionaries to delay the election, which is scheduled for the month of September next year (1959). The second stage is to check whether all voters have been correctly registered. The third stage is to popularize the candids.» of those who have been nominated at general meetings and the formation of supporting Committees. Gerwani leaders who have been individually nominated by political parties are supporiad by Gerwani. The Gerwani hold mass rallies and campaigns in the regions. Posters, and special boards with the names of the candidates and their portraits will be hung up at street corners, Personal visits are also to be made in order to gain as many voters as possible, Against the rebels and the foreign igterventionists After discussing the French, British and USA intervention and military actions in the Middle Bast, an extensive programme of actions has been drafted. In this manner the members of Gerwani in Sulawesi, including the Darul Islam, a right wing military Organisation which is fully supported by the Dutch und the USA, and which has killed 10,810 people, kidnapped 1,004, stolen 323 rupijah, and burned 180,000 houses in West Java (1953-1958). . a ae aa: 4 ay a Besides improving their own organisation, the Gerwani members in regions are actively Supporting the Army, by distributing food supplies and assisting the Red Cross, etc. In Java, a form of action has been evolved on the joint initiative of many popular organisations and the army to oppose foreign intervention, by organising a "Train Week", This train travels from station to Station, and is decorated with flags, slogans and posters, It carries a complete army corps playing revolutionary national songs. The Gerwani has joined this Train Week by setting up reception committees to welcome the train's arrival and by giving refreshments of cakes, cigarettes, drinks, etc., for the army men who are travelling.