The Birth and Growth of the Indonesian Women's Movement (Part I)

An historic description of the birth of GERWANI (the Indonesian Women's Movement) is inseparable from the question of the historic development of the whole women's movement in Indonesia, and this is itself closely linked with the history of the national movement in general.

I — Before the Second World War

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Dutch imperialism already controlled Indonesia's natural resources. To supply their needs the Dutch had set up a number of factories for processing sugar, tea, coffee and jute, to prospect for oil and other mineral wealth and to build railways and roads. In addition, in order to have clerical staff for their administration they had to build a few schools.

Indonesian society at that time was of a colonial and feudal character. There were kingdoms such as Surakarta, Djokjakarta and others, with feudal traditions which of course very much hampered the progress of the people, and above all the progress of women. One of these was the 'pingit' tradition, which forbade girls to leave their homes; they were shut in their rooms until they were married. This meant that girls were not allowed to enter schools, and had no rights to decide their own fate. Polygamy, under-aged and forced marriages meant wretched conditions for women.

Kartini, the second daughter of the Regent of Djepara in Central Java, who was born on April 21st, 1879 was the pioneer of women's emancipation in Indonesia. She never hesitated to boldly put forward her views against conventions which prevented women from making any progress. Her letters to her many Dutch and German correspondents vibrated with nationalist spirit even in those days, when the nationalist movement was yet to be born in an active form. They expressed her noble ideals on the need for a change in the inferior status of woman and her demand for the equal right of women to elementary education, as well as lessons in good housekeeping.

Kartini's letters were published as a book. Later the income from the sale of this book was used to set up the first Kartini school at Semarang, Central Java. The ideals of Kartini became the symbol of women's struggle for their rights and equality.

THE FIRST WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS

The first women's organisation, the 'Putri Merdika', was founded in 1912 and paved the way for the establishment of other women's organisations. The aim of the women's movement at that period was mainly directed towards improving the education of women and increasing their knowledge of good housekeeping. The members of 'Putri Merdika' came mainly from aristocratic families. But after 1920 when the Indonesian Communist Party was founded with its great influence among workers and peasants, women became more aware of their just claims concerning emancipation. The echo of the slogan on equal rights was resounding throughout the national movement. Besides the Communist Party, other political parties had begun-to-form women's sections.

In 1928, from December 22nd to 25th, a Congress was held in which about thirty women's organisations took part. The Congress discussed the position of women in marriage, equal education for men and women, and the problem of polygamy.

EDUCATION AND SOCIAL LEGISLATION

Although political problems were not discussed, the Congress set up a joint body known as the Association of Indonesian Women. They adopted three motions which were submitted to the Dutch Government. These contained the following demands: an increase in the number of girls schools, legislation on allowances for widows and orphans of Indonesian employees, and legislation on marriage and divorce. These motions were accepted by the Dutch Government.

The Association of Indonesian Women decided to send delegates to the Asian Women's Congress which took place from January 19th to 25th, 1931, in Lahore (India). But when they arrived in Lahore they realised that the so-called Asian Women's Congress was not convened by the Indian women themselves, but by reactionary elements of the British Government. The Indonesian women's delegation therefore decided not to join in the Congress and went back home. Many Indian women were imprisoned for opposing this Congress. Of course the attitude of the Indonesian delegation was criticised by certain sections of the Association of Indonesian Women, but others praised their action. This fact shows that honest Indonesian women were making a stand against colonialism, even though their consciousness was not yet fully awakened.

On March 22nd, 1930, another women's organisation was formed. Its name was 'Wanita Sedar', which means 'Conscious Women'. The slogan of the organisation was, 'Forwards to the emancipation of Indonesian women — for the achievement of an independent Indonesia.' The 'Wanita Sedar' became affiliated to the Association of Indonesian Women. This shows that the Indonesian people have fostered the spirit of unity for a long time. It also goes without saying that within the Association there were differences of opinion, for example on the problem of marriage. Some sections were in favour of polygamy, based on religious custom and some were against it.

The slogan "Forwards to the emancipation of Indonesian women" attracted many women from many sections of society. Their principal activity was to oppose colonialism and demand women representatives in the municipal councils.

In 1935, the Association of Indonesian Women held its second Congress and adopted a new name, the Congress League of Indonesian Women. It decided to set up arbitration councils for the settlement of workers' disputes; to launch actions to abolish illiteracy; to establish contacts with other organisations, including youth organisations; to propagate national consciousness and to make the new generation aware of their national tasks and duties.

1938: WOMEN DEMAND THEIR RIGHTS

In 1938 the Congress League of Indonesian Women held its third Congress. This Congress discussed the question of women's right to vote. It urged the Dutch Government, which had already granted women the right to be elected, to grant them also the right to vote. In practice, although women had the right to be elected, no woman had yet been elected to parliament, as most of them had a very low standard of education. The Congress also decided to set up a Commission to draft a bill on democratic marriage regulations and established the date of the first Congress as an official All-Indonesian Mothers' Day.

The next year, 1939, a great mass rally was held in Batavia (former name of the capital, Djakarta, under Dutch rule.) The demonstration protested because the Dutch Government had appointed a Dutch woman as a representative in the People's Council, thus depriving an Indonesian woman deputy of this right.

At its fourth Congress in 1941, the Congress League of Indonesian Women made important decisions, for example, it supported the demand of the Union of Political Parties for the formation of an Indonesian parliament. It also demanded the right to vote, and the recognition of the Indonesian language as the common official language to be taught in secondary and high schools. It also urged the setting up of Commissions for the abolition of illiteracy and the improvement of the social and economic security of Indonesian women in general, and women workers in particular.

Discussions were also held on restricting the distribution of Hollywood films, on setting up people's libraries, for women police to search delinquents, etc. It may be said that the growth of the women's movement in Indonesia made rapid progress, parallel with the development of the people's national movement in general.

(to be continued)