Let Us Respect All Opinions

Excerpts from Speech of Mrs. SUHARTI, Member of Parliament, Council Member of the W.I.D.F., Vice-President of Gerwani, Indonesian Women's Movement

TOGETHER WITH the development of the democratic movement which becomes broader every day, Gerwani has advanced in the organisational field. Since the last Council meeting of the W.I.D.F., the membership of the Gerwani has been increased from 281,000 to 565,147.

Throughout all its actions, Gerwani constantly tries to co-operate with other organisations, especially the women's organisations. At the Congress of the Indonesian Women held in Palembang in March 1955, attended by all women's organisations from different groups irrespective of beliefs and opinions, Gerwani proposed the discussion of the Charter of Women's Rights and the problem of Peace; these proposals have now been adopted unanimously.

International Women's Day this year was celebrated in different islands on a much broader scale than ever before and the spirit prevailing was one of love of country and of great desire for peace. These celebrations, although initiated by Gerwani were welcomed by other organisations who participated in them and resulted in Jakarta in the setting up of a welfare service for women workers. Arising from this a delegation consisting of 200 women from different groups approached the President of the Republic of Indonesia with the following resolute demands: (1) for lower prices of daily necessities; (2) against the use of atomic and nuclear weapons; (3) for a democratic marriage law.

Prior to the World Congress of Mothers, Gerwani succeeded in setting up a national preparatory committee consisting of several women's organisations, which was successful in sending a delegation composed of various groups of women to the Congress in Lausanne.

In particular, Gerwani appeals to all our Asian and African friends for joint action for national unity and closer friendship to ensure the realisation of the Bandung principles for full national independence, peaceful co-existence and the welfare of our families."