Women’s Right to Vote in Indonesia
Women’s Day Indonesia / September 17, (1945)

Women’s Right to Vote in Indonesia, Women's Suffrage

Introduction

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic nation and most populous Muslim-majority country, has a unique story of women’s suffrage that intertwines with its struggle for independence and national identity. Unlike many Western nations where women fought for decades to secure voting rights, Indonesia’s path to women’s suffrage was closely linked to its emergence as an independent nation. This article explores the journey of Indonesian women’s voting rights, highlighting the key date of women’s suffrage, significant female figures who shaped this history, and the broader context of women’s political participation in Indonesia.

The Landmark Date: September 17, 1945

The exact date when Indonesian women officially gained the right to vote was September 17, 1945 – just one month after Indonesia declared independence from the Netherlands on August 17, 1945. This right was enshrined in Indonesia’s first electoral law, which granted universal suffrage to all citizens, both men and women, over the age of 18, regardless of literacy or property ownership.
This remarkably early adoption of women’s suffrage can be attributed to several factors:

  1. The influence of nationalist and democratic ideals during the independence movement
  2. The active participation of women in the struggle against Dutch colonial rule
  3. The progressive vision of Indonesia’s founding leaders, including Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta
  4. The desire to build a modern nation based on principles of equality and inclusion

Historical Context: Colonial Period to Independence

Dutch Colonial Rule and Early Women’s Movements

During the Dutch colonial period (until 1942), Indonesian women had severely limited political rights. The early 20th century saw the emergence of women’s organizations that initially focused on education and social welfare but gradually incorporated demands for political rights:

  • 1912: Putri Mardika (Independent Women), one of the first women’s organizations, was established to advocate for girls’ education
  • 1928: The First Indonesian Women’s Congress was held in Yogyakarta, bringing together various women’s groups to address issues including education, marriage laws, and women’s welfare
  • 1930: Limited municipal voting rights were granted to Dutch women and a tiny elite of educated Indonesian women in certain areas under colonial rule

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

The Japanese occupation during World War II disrupted colonial structures but brought new forms of oppression. However, it also created opportunities for nationalist organization:

  • Women’s organizations were reorganized under Japanese supervision
  • Many women joined resistance movements and supported independence efforts
  • Female activists developed leadership skills and political networks that would prove crucial after independence

Independence and Constitutional Foundation

When Indonesia declared independence in 1945, women’s rights activists ensured gender equality was embedded in the new nation’s foundation:

  • The 1945 Constitution explicitly stated that “all citizens shall be equal before the law and government”
  • Women were represented in early discussions about the structure of the new republic
  • The electoral law of September 17, 1945, confirmed universal adult suffrage without gender discrimination

First Elections and Women’s Political Participation

Indonesia’s first general election after independence was delayed due to the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949) against returning Dutch forces. The truly nationwide election finally took place in 1955:

  • Women voted in significant numbers in the 1955 election
  • 17 women were elected to the 257-seat national parliament
  • Women also participated in Indonesia’s Constituent Assembly, tasked with drafting a permanent constitution

Key Women in Indonesia’s Suffrage Movement

Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879-1904)

Though she died long before Indonesian independence, R.A. Kartini is considered the pioneer of women’s emancipation in Indonesia:

  • Advocated for women’s education and equal rights in the early 1900s
  • Her collected letters, published posthumously as “Door Duisternis tot Licht” (Through Darkness to Light), inspired generations of activists
  • While not directly involved in suffrage campaigns, her vision of equality laid the philosophical foundation for later women’s rights movements

Siti Soendari

  • Founded one of the first Indonesian women’s magazines, “Wanito Sworo” (Women’s Voice), in 1912
  • Used her platform to advocate for women’s education and political rights
  • Argued that national independence and women’s emancipation were interconnected goals

Maria Ullfah Santoso (1911-1988)

  • Played a crucial role in ensuring women’s rights were incorporated into Indonesia’s founding documents
  • Served as Minister of Social Affairs in 1946-1947, becoming one of Indonesia’s first female cabinet members
  • Headed Wanita Demokrat Indonesia (Indonesian Democratic Women), advocating for women’s active political participation

S.K. Trimurti (1912-2008)

  • Journalist and nationalist activist who was imprisoned by Dutch authorities for her political activities
  • Advocated for workers’ rights and women’s political participation
  • Served as Indonesia’s first Minister of Labor in 1947-1948

Sujatin Kartowijono (1907-1983)

  • Leader of Perwari (Persatuan Wanita Republik Indonesia – Women’s Association of the Republic of Indonesia)
  • Worked to mobilize women to participate in the first elections
  • Advocated for women’s education and political awareness

Women’s Suffrage in Regional Context

Indonesia’s early adoption of women’s suffrage stands out in both Southeast Asian and global contexts:

  • Philippines: Women gained full suffrage in 1937
  • Thailand: Women gained voting rights in 1932
  • Burma (Myanmar): Women gained voting rights in 1935
  • Malaysia: Women gained voting rights at independence in 1957
  • Singapore: Women gained voting rights in 1947
  • Vietnam: Women gained voting rights in 1946

Indonesia was thus among the early adopters of women’s suffrage in Southeast Asia, establishing universal suffrage simultaneously with its founding as an independent nation.

Challenges and Progress After Suffrage

While Indonesian women gained formal voting rights early, translating these into meaningful political representation faced several challenges:

Sukarno’s Guided Democracy (1957-1965)

  • Democratic structures were weakened during this period
  • Women’s organizations increasingly aligned with political factions
  • Despite limitations, women’s political consciousness continued to develop

New Order Era (1966-1998)

Under President Suharto’s authoritarian New Order regime:

  • Women’s organizations were largely depoliticized and focused on family welfare
  • The government promoted a state ideology of women as wives and mothers first
  • Women’s representation in parliament remained low, typically around 10-12%
    Despite restrictions, women remained active in civil society

Democratic Reform Era (Post-1998)

The fall of Suharto’s regime opened new possibilities:

  • Women’s organizations regained independence and political voice
  • Gender quotas were introduced in 2003, requiring political parties to nominate at least 30% women candidates
  • Women’s representation in parliament increased gradually
  • The first female presidential candidate, Megawati Sukarnoputri (daughter of founding president Sukarno), served as Indonesia’s fifth president from 2001-2004

Contemporary Significance

Today, Indonesia’s women’s suffrage history forms an important part of national identity:

  • April 21 is celebrated as Kartini Day, honoring R.A. Kartini’s legacy and women’s emancipation
  • Women make up approximately 21% of the national parliament (as of 2021)
  • Women serve in key ministerial positions and lead major political parties
  • Challenges remain in achieving full political equality, particularly at local levels and in conservative regions

Women’s Right to Vote in Indonesia

The story of women’s suffrage in Indonesia differs from the typical Western narrative of a long struggle against male resistance. Instead, Indonesian women’s voting rights emerged intertwined with national independence on September 17, 1945, reflecting both the progressive ideals of Indonesia’s founding and women’s active role in the independence movement.

While formal political equality was achieved relatively early, Indonesian women’s ongoing challenge has been translating legal rights into substantive representation amid changing political systems. The legacy of early suffragists and women’s rights pioneers continues to inspire contemporary Indonesian women as they work to fulfill the promise of equal citizenship established at the nation’s founding.

This distinct suffrage history serves as a reminder that women’s political rights have taken diverse paths across different cultural and historical contexts, with Indonesia’s story highlighting the potential for nations to incorporate gender equality as a founding principle rather than as a belated correction.

The long struggle of the women’s movement in Indonesian politics

The lost history of Indonesian women in politics is slowly emerging, but the obstacles to participation are many.
By Febriana Firdaus

Mar 8, 2019 – At the very time Indonesian women are lauded for their campaign skills (look at Eva Bande and the Kendeng farmers, who just won the Yap Thiem Hien Award for organising protests to protect the environment), it remains a lamentable shame that the role women in Indonesian politics doesn’t show any significant progress. It’s been that way ever since Suharto’s New Order regime took over the Sukarno’s throne, of politics dominated by men.
> lowyinstitute.org/long-struggle-women-s-movement-indonesian-politics

On the Issue of Women’s Rights in Indonesian Politics

Jan 29, 2019 – Indonesian women can hardly forget the country’s presidential debate held two weeks ago. The issue of women’s rights was front and center. The incumbent, Joko Widodo, questioned his challenger’s commitment to women’s rights reminding the audience that all the highest positions in his party are all held by men. The challenger, Prabowo Subianto, responded that he didn’t merely prioritize all women, but women with quality. Placing as many women as possible in important posts without any qualifications was seen by Subianto as not a good thing. He furthered his argument by giving an example of a woman, who made a mess in the current cabinet, but did not reveal her name.
> intpolicydigest.org/on-the-issue-of-women-s-rights-in-indonesian-politics

Facts and figures

Leadership and political participation – [UN Women]
IPU-UN Women in politics map – [IPU]