Working for Peace in Asia

Working for Peace in Asia By Mme. SUHARTI, Vice-President of GERWANI (Indonesian Women's Movement)

A CONFERENCE of Asian and African countries, in which 29 countries participated, was recently held in Bandung, Indonesia. Condemning the colonial system and the exploitation and oppression of peoples it demonstrated the determination of the peoples of those countries to take their destiny into their own hands. In declaring itself for the settlement of all differences by peaceful means and in adopting a resolution for the banning of the manufacture and use of atomic and thermo-nuclear weapons, or any experiments with them, and for the utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, it also expressed the desire of the nations represented to live in peace.

Women are playing an important part in the powerful movement of the Indonesian people for the strengthening of their national independence, for peace and for friendship between the peoples.

In fact, as Mme. Suharti said at the Fifth Council Meeting of the Women's International Democratic Federation, "The Dutch colonialists are still occupying Western Irian (Western New Guinea), a territory belonging to the Indonesian Republic ... Their aim is to attack other regions of Indonesia and also to set up American military bases which would imperil peace in Asia"

The part played by GERWANI, the Indonesian Women's Movement affiliated to the Women's International Democratic Federation, in the struggle of its people can be measured by the fact that the organization has developed very quickly and in February had 281,000 members. The following text is taken from the speech and statements of GERWANI's Vice-President at the Federation Council Meeting in February at Geneva.

In consideration of the great importance of peace as the absolute condition for developing the fight for women's rights and the defence of children we realize that we must work still harder to support the demand of the Indonesian people in regard to the reunion of Western Irian with our country. We shall thus help to consolidate peace in Asia and make sure that this territory, which is more than 20 per cent of our country, will not become an American military base.

The women and people of Indonesia oppose every measure likely to lead to war and to the military occupation of our country. The women do not want their husbands to be sacrificed. They give their full support to the Indonesian Government in its rejection of the South East Asia Treaty Organization pact. They consider their Government's support of the five principles of co-existence of Chou En-lai and Nehru as a great victory for peace.

Children in Indonesia

Children's conditions in Indonesia are becoming worse. According to Dr. Saiful Anwar, mortality among children under the age of one year is six to eight times as much as in Western Europe or in the United States. Out of 1,000 babies, 150 to 200 die before their first birthday.

Children do not have sufficient opportunity to go to school or to develop their knowledge. On the plantations still in the hands of foreign proprietors they are paid on the basis of a seasonal contractual system, but their wage is paid to their parents because they are not considered to be workers; the proprietors thus avoid being accused of violating the labour law.

Women and the Elections

We know that if we want to improve the living conditions of women and children we must take active part in the elections. For the first time in our history we are to have elections in our country. The participation of the women in these elections is a great step forward; they will thus be making use of their right to vote and their eligibility to run for the Constituent Assembly and the Chamber of Representatives. We are taking part in the campaign to enlighten women, because we want these elections to lead to the formation of democratic government. We have also fought for and won the right of women to act as polling station officers.

Preparing for the World Congress

We warmly greeted the Appeal for calling a World Congress of Mothers. On December 22nd, 1954, the date when Mother's Day was celebrated in our country, GERWANI made special efforts to popularize the Congress, launching a call to all mothers to take part in preparations for it. We have received messages from leading women and from members of various organizations such the Women's Section of the Moslem Party and the Union of Village Council Chairmen, as well as from women in high office.

We are sure that the World Congress of Mothers will receive wide support from all those who want democracy and peace, and we promise to make every effort towards its success.