From Sea Rengginang, Eko Purwanti Continues the Spirit of Kartini

The commemoration of Kartini Day is not merely understood as a symbol of women’s emancipation, but also as a reflection on resilience, open-minded courage, and an unyielding spirit amid limitations. These values today live on in the efforts of women who persist, including those in coastal areas. One such story comes from Eko Purwanti, a client of PNM’s Pati branch in Central Java, who has developed a business producing rengginang from sea products as well as catering. From a simple endeavour, Eko Purwanti not only strives to maintain her family’s economic stability but also brings benefits to her surrounding community. In her daily life, Mrs Eko is actively involved in the Supplementary Feeding Programme (PMT) for children in need of nutritional attention, while empowering mothers in the Rembang coastal area to jointly produce sea-based rengginang. “I hope this business can continue running. Not only to support my family, but also so that the mothers around me can feel the benefit of having income; slowly we strengthen each other, with a shared spirit in clustering sea product processing and wanting to advance together,” said Mrs Eko, in a press release on Tuesday (21/4/2026). The spirit shown by Eko Purwanti reflects the values of a contemporary Kartini. Amid limitations, she continues to step forward and opens opportunities for other women to grow together. For many around her, she is not just an entrepreneur, but also a driver who brings real change to her environment. Especially through a clustering approach to sea product processing businesses that strengthens togetherness and encourages collective growth. PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) Company Secretary Lalu Dodot Patria Ary stated that empowerment efforts in coastal areas are part of the commitment to deliver broader benefits. “We are present to accompany mothers in coastal areas to grow and empower themselves. Through sea product processing, they are not only economically empowered but also empower others and grow together,” said Dodot. He explained that with the #PNMuntukUMKM #PNMPemberdayaanUMKM spirit through an empowerment approach based on three capitals—intellectual through business training, financial through access to financing, and social through group strengthening—PNM continues to support women to develop sustainably. “To date, PNM has served more than 22.9 million female clients across Indonesia,” said Dodot. He hopes that Mrs Eko’s story serves as an illustration that the spirit of Kartini does not stop in the past but continues to live in the steps of women who dare to try, share, and strengthen one another. “In every process, sustainable support becomes an important part so that every small effort can grow into a greater impact,” Dodot concluded.