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