Advocates for independence: Indonesian women against Dutch colonialism

On the occasion of International Women's Day 2022, the Cerita Fakta Foundation offers the project Wanita Berani! Advocates for independence. Indonesian women against Dutch colonialism. It draws attention to the resistance of women who fought against Dutch domination in Indonesia, a part of history that lasted for three-and-a-half centuries but about which very little is known in the Netherlands.

In the period of resistance against the Netherlands, women on various islands played an important role. The website consists of 22 portraits of female fighters from Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Sumatra and the Moluccas who rose up against colonial rule in different periods. Take for example Laksamana Malahayati, the first female admiral in the world, who defended the sultanate of Atjeh against the Dutch with her Inong Ballee female army, consisting entirely of widows. Or Ida I Dewa Agung, under who’s leadership a Dutch attack on Bali was stopped. Well-known in their homeland Indonesia, they have received a tribute, often posthumously.

With the stories of their resistance, these women are given a face in the Netherlands. In doing so, Cerita Fakta hopes to contribute to a better understanding of the colonial history. On this year’s International Women's Day the foundation is taking a moment to reflect on women with whom a history is shared.