Two Indonesian women's organizations: Gerwani and the PKK

The modern history of Indonesia is sharply divided. From 1950 until 1965 its first national president, the charismatic Ir Sukarno, steered the country through the Old Order. This period was characterized by nation building, economic deterioration, and growing tensions between the army and the Indonesian Communist Party (Partai Komunis Indonesia—PKI), with Muslim groups an important third power. General Suharto took over from 1966 onwards. After an ill-fated leftist coup in 1965, he built his New Order on terror instilled by anticommunist mass murders. In both periods important women's mass movements were formed. Gerwani, in the earlier period, was closely allied with the communist power bloc. Guidance for Family Welfare (Pembinaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga—PKK) was built up under strict military supervision during the New Order. The parallels and differences between these two organizations are the focus of this article.