Kartini's spirit

Kartini's spirit

The commemoration of Kartini Day, April 21, reminds us of the
great Indonesian lady Raden Adjeng Kartini, whose letters made
her an important symbol for the Indonesian independence movement
and for Indonesian feminists. In her letters, Kartini, who was a
Javanese noblewoman, expressed concern over the plight of
Indonesians under colonial rule and over the restricted roles
open to Indonesian women. She also resolved to make her life a
model for emancipation. The publication of her letters under the
title Door duisternis tot licht (From darkness to light) made her
a popular symbol, and her birthday was made a national day.

Until now, the people and leaders of this nation are
enormously influenced by Kartini's aspiration. Her brilliant
ideas continuously generate support for the progress of
Indonesian women, which is, for example, clearly seen in the
effort of the Indonesian Women's Congress, which worked hard to
improve women's situation through the empowerment of women and
the abolition of gender inequalities; to combat illiteracy among
women; combat polygamy; and to struggle in the cause of equality
of work and in marriage as well as for emancipation.

To answer the burgeoning interest in feminism, many NGOs
dealing in women's issues were established, including the
Association of Indonesian Women for Justice, the Foundation of
Indonesian Women and Women's Solidarity of Human Rights.

Now, apparently, women enjoy equality and have the right as
well as liberty to develop themselves in many fields. The
emergence of numerous women's organizations here has been
providing special fora for women's aim in social and political
arenas. Women continue fighting for their rights to access
political power. The number of female students in universities is
increasing. As we all know, there are three women appointed as
ministers to the seventh cabinet, which shows an improvement over
the previous cabinet, which had only two.

Nevertheless, Indonesian women still face various obstacles
and social impediments. For example, the small number of women in
the House of Representatives clearly reflects the gender
inequalities in the nation's political scene, which has placed
women as subordinate members of society.

Despite women's long struggle for emancipation, most are still
discriminated against and treated as the second sex. Inequality
between men and women exists everywhere. We can count on our
fingers the number of Indonesian women holding politically
important position, such as director generals of ministries.

We should continuously realize Kartini's ambition. Women
deserve a place, whether in politics, business or other areas.
Women have little right to form opinions, to make important
decisions, including policies, and to achieve top-level
positions.

They should take up more and more rights and perform equally
well with their male counterparts. Women must eliminate problem-
behavior patterns and develop new, more productive ones because
the biggest obstacle is actually the women themselves.

It is imperative to eliminate social values that place women
in subordinate positions to men. It is important that women
improve their knowledge, skills, capabilities and talents in
order to be able to compete and to accomplish well in society,
especially now, in the globalization era. Make Kartini's dream
come true! Keep up Kartini's spirit!

LYNDA SOETITO

Jakarta