Ibu Kartini's ideals

Ibu Kartini's ideals

Indonesian women of all social strata regard Kartini as a typical, independent Indonesian woman. However, what is actually meant by the words "independent woman" is still a subject of debate. In Western countries, women are struggling for emancipation i.e. equal rights for both men and women. But how is the emancipation interpreted in real life? Polemics have been dragging on concerning this issue. Realistically -- at least biologically -- women are different from men.

We can see that the government is serious about realizing Kartini's ideals because they have created a special department for women's affairs. And in the business sector, women enjoy the same privileges as their male counterparts thanks to the same access to education for both men and women.

-Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta

We continued to stress the advancement of women because we still see exploitation of female workers in some industries. They have to work for lower pay and in some cases they are sexually exploited.

On the other hand, we hail women who have achieved respectable positions within their career field. Yet they have to make their lives balanced in a way that will not force them to abandon their crucial role within the family.

-Suara Karya, Jakarta