Kartini Spirit Grows from Women on the Rembang Coast Through Sea Rengginang

The commemoration of Kartini Day is no longer merely interpreted as a symbol of women’s emancipation, but also as a reflection on resilience, open-mindedness, and an unyielding spirit amid limitations.

The transitional season is still marked by rain showers in several areas along the North Coast of Central Java, yet this does not dampen the enthusiasm of women in the coastal region of Rembang Regency to create. The emancipatory spirit inherited from RA Kartini is evident in the hands of these women, who engage in activities that enhance family economies.

One might recall a story from village Eid celebrations, where various treats are laid out for guests, from snacks and heavy to light dishes, including a tightly sealed tin of biscuits on the table. However, during conversations, when attempting to open the tin for a taste, it turns out to contain rengginang instead.

This surprising food, differing from its container, rengginang is a type of thick cracker made from glutinous rice, formed into rounds, dried under the sun, and then fried. It is a local delicacy widely enjoyed and favoured.

SEA RENGGINANG UNIQUE TO THE COAST

Rengginang unique to the coastal areas is produced in the Pantura region of Rembang Regency, Central Java, slightly different from those in other areas because here the crunchy and savoury snack carries a fishy flavour from marine products, a commodity for residents in the coastal zone who are mostly fishermen.

The production of Sea Rengginang is a processed marine product, a creative work of innovation by women in Coastal Rembang, which has now developed rapidly. One example is developed by Eko Purwanti, a client of Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) Pati Branch.

From this simple business, Eko Purwanti not only strives to sustain her family’s economy but also brings benefits to the surrounding environment by actively participating in the Supplementary Feeding Programme (PMT) for children needing nutritional attention, as well as empowering women in the coastal area to jointly produce sea-processed rengginang.

“I hope this business can continue, because it’s not just for supporting the family but also so that the mothers around me can have income too. Slowly, we strengthen each other, with a shared spirit from marine processing and wanting to advance together,” said Eko Purwanti.

CONTEMPORARY KARTINI

The spirit shown by Eko Purwanti along with women in the coastal area reflects the values of a contemporary Kartini, as in limitations, they still progress and open opportunities for other women to grow and create, together building family welfare.

Eko Purwanti is not just an entrepreneur but also a motivator for women, bringing real change in her environment through a clustered approach to marine-processed businesses that strengthens togetherness and encourages collective growth.

Through an empowerment approach based on three capitals—intellectual through business training, financial through financing access, and social through group strengthening—PT PNM, which has served more than 22.9 million female clients across Indonesia, accompanies women to develop sustainably.

EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS

PNM Company Secretary Lalu Dodot Patria Ary stated that empowering women in coastal areas is part of the commitment to bring broader benefits for growth and empowerment, and through this marine processing, women in the coast not only empower themselves economically but also grow together.

“We are present to accompany mothers in the coast to grow and empower, one of whom is Eko Purwanti along with women in the Coastal Rembang area,” said Lalu Dodot Patria Ary.

Through marine processing, they not only empower themselves economically but also empower others and grow together,” Dodot added.

Eko Purwanti’s story illustrates that the Kartini spirit does not stop in the past but continues to live in the steps of women who dare to try, share, and strengthen one another. “Ongoing accompaniment is an important part so that every small effort can develop into a greater impact,” he added.