Kartini Day: A Moment to Integrate Mental Health into the Meaning of Emancipation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health states that positioning mental health as an integral part of the 2026 Kartini Day commemoration expands the historical legacy into a concrete and sustainable welfare agenda. Imran Pambudi, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at the Ministry of Health, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the 2026 Kartini Day commemoration invites reflection on the meaning of emancipation in the context of health, where women’s empowerment must include the right to physical and mental health throughout the life cycle. “In the early 20th century, Raden Ajeng Kartini opened the horizons of thinking for Indonesian women by affirming the right to education, dignity, and freedom of expression—values that shape cultured women: insightful, brave in speaking out, and upholding self-honour,” he said. According to him, Kartini’s legacy is not only about access to school or work, but also about women’s ability to understand, care for, and demand their right to inner well-being. When women are given space to learn, create, and speak out, their mental health tends to be better maintained due to reduced stigma, isolation, and dependency. Epidemiological research and health service studies confirm that the burden of mental illness among women and elderly women is not merely an individual clinical issue, but a public health problem closely linked to social determinants. Global data also shows that women experience depression and anxiety more frequently than men, with a prevalence ratio of around 1.5–2 times higher. “In Indonesia, similar challenges are evident in the form of disparities in access to services between urban and rural areas, limited mental health professionals, and low mental literacy in some communities,” he said. Therefore, an effective response must go beyond purely medical interventions and incorporate prevention strategies, strengthening social networks, and gender- and age-sensitive social protection policies. Within this framework, advocating for access to education and economic opportunities is no longer sufficient if not accompanied by systematic efforts to reduce the burden of mental disorders, expand service access, and protect elderly women from marginalisation. In addition, an intergenerational approach that connects young and elderly generations can reduce social isolation and strengthen the social role of elderly women, which has a positive impact on their mental well-being. Imran assesses that enlivening Kartini’s spirit in the context of mental health demands synergy between public policies and community initiatives. The government is systematically integrating mental health services into primary care, strengthening puskesmas capacity for screening and referrals, and increasing the number and distribution of professionals, including mental geriatric services. Social protection policies targeting vulnerable elderly women—including economic assistance, access to health services, and violence prevention programmes—are important steps to reduce structural vulnerability. According to him, with supportive policies, integrated services, and inclusive community movements, Kartini’s legacy can be realised in the form of women who are not only insightful and productive, but also mentally healthy throughout their lives.