Kartini dreamed of a democratic society where both women and men were presented equal opportunities for self-development.
By
Kompas Team
·3 minutes read
Kartini was born 143 years ago on April 21. We remember her birthday every year as a milestone in the struggle for women’s equality.
Every now and then, discourse about the birth of the noblewoman born in Jepara, Central Java, flows with the times. Currently, the space is wide open for women to participate in economic, political and social spheres. But one thing that women continue to struggle with is the double burden.
UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, reported that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when people were required to work from home, women’s workload increased. Social and cultural demands have forced women to not only take care of family members and the household, but to earn an income as well.
She was concerned about education for girls, preventing early marriage for girls and was also against polygamy.
Kartini dreamed of a democratic society where both women and men were presented equal opportunities for self-development. She was concerned about education for girls, preventing early marriage for girls and was also against polygamy.
The Constitution gives women and men equal opportunities to receive an education. In fact, based on data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), more girls have completed elementary, middle and high school education than boys. This is because boys begin working earlier.
But even so, the role of women in the public sphere is still lacking. The Gender Empowerment Index (BPS), which shows whether women can play active economic and political roles in 2021, has a value of 76.26. In 2020, the figure was at 75.57. This means that there is still room for women to play a greater role in economics and politics if given the opportunity.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that women contributed to 60 percent of the national economy.
Kartini was also concerned about developing the female economy. Women with economic capabilities have greater bargaining power in the household and community. Women’s economic contribution to the country is quite large. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that women contributed to 60 percent of the national economy.
Much progress has been made since the birth of Kartini 143 years ago. Last but not least was the ratification of the sexual violence bill. The law regards forced marriage -- including child marriage -- as a crime of sexual violence. The prohibition of child marriage, according to Kartini’s ideals, gives children a better future by allowing them to complete their education without being burdened by marital responsibilities.
Major challenges still stand in the way of creating equality for women and girls, however. Giving women the opportunity for self-development will benefit not only themselves but their families too, thus allowing a more prosperous and joyous country and global community.