Emulating Elan Kartini

Kartini's birth on April 21, which is celebrated as Kartini Day, is a momentum to voice a vision of equality.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

The CFD Kartinian dancers performed together at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Jakarta during the car-free day on Sunday (21/4/2024). Indonesian Berkebaya and Dancing Kebaya women organized the CFD Kartinian parade. The parade was held to commemorate Kartini Day 2024, which is celebrated every April 21st.

Kartini's eloquence in fighting for a vision of equality resonates to this day. Her birth on April 21, which is commemorated as Kartini Day, is a momentum to continue to voice women's emancipation in all fields.

However, almost 150 years after the birth of Kartini, a number of serious challenges are still faced by women in a number of countries, including Indonesia. The problem of gender inequality in various fields continues to occur so that women have not been able to contribute optimally to development.

Even the UN Women report, the United Nations entity for gender equality and women's empowerment, in February 2024 stated that more than 10 percent of women worldwide are trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty and live on less than $2.15 USD or Rp 34,400 per day (Kompas.id, 21 April 2024).

The issue is mainly triggered by discrimination in the workplace, as well as limited access to resources and financial assets. In addition, strong stereotypes limit women's participation in education and employment. Women also bear the heaviest burden of household work.

This situation results in women having less time and opportunity to access education and paid employment. Women also face the dilemma of job demands and household responsibilities, often having to choose between the two.

Also read: Women between the dilemma of working in an office or being a housewife

A number of factors have contributed to the low participation of women in the workforce. Globally, 61 percent of working-age women are part of the workforce, and the majority work in the informal sector, while 90.6 percent of men are part of the workforce. In Indonesia, the Central Statistics Agency recorded in 2023 that the male workforce was 83.98 percent, while the female workforce was 53.98 percent.

Gender inequality

From the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, Indonesia ranks 87th out of 146 countries in efforts to close the gender gap. Indonesia's score is 0.697, which only rose by 0.001 compared to 2022. This data reflects that issues of equality are still a work in progress.

Commemoration of Kartini Day should not only be limited to a ceremony or celebration, but also be a momentum to realize equality.

In fact, research by Doepke and Tertilt published in the journal Economic Growth (2019) revealed that mothers spend more money on children and invest more in human resources. So, money managed by women is more prosperous for children than if it is managed by men.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The daughters of laborers who are members of the Indonesian Labour Union Alliance (KASBI), the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Jakarta, and along with several other community elements held a commemoration of International Women's Day demonstration in the Arjuna Wijaya monument area, Jakarta, on Friday (8/3/2024).

Therefore, efforts to close the gender gap in the workforce are urgently needed. One of the necessary steps is to have policies that support women with families to continue working, such as by providing childcare facilities in the workplace.

Also read: Kartini and the Female Workforce

The celebration of Kartini Day should not be limited to just ceremonies or festivities, but also serve as a moment to realize equality. Therefore, women can contribute optimally towards the progress of the nation.