Puan's Message On Kartini Day 2025: Women Must Be Development Movers, Not Just Complete

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, congratulated Kartini Day to all Indonesian women.

Puan advised that women in the country should be the driving force for development, not just complementary.

Puan said that the commemoration of Kartini Day every year is not just a ceremony, but a momentum to revive RA Kartini's fighting spirit in the context of today's women's life which is full of challenges. She considered that women must also have big dreams and determination to make it happen.

"Happy Kartini Day to all great Indonesian women. This commemoration is not only about memory, but about continuing the struggle of our mother Kartini who paved the way for women to be educated, think freely, and play an active role in public spaces," said Puan, Monday, April 21.

"Women must also dare to have big dreams, we must also dare to prove but we must also be given the opportunity to prove it," he continued.

Puan invites Indonesian women not to be afraid and continues to strive for their big dreams to be achieved, as RA Kartini did. "Sometimes we want to prove ourselves but there is no opportunity, we are not given the opportunity and women must support each other to come forward together," he said.

(But) Today, women are also able to get the same education as men. In fact, many women have succeeded in pursuing higher education and making it a capital for success. Don't be afraid to dream big like what RA Kartini did, and pursue these dreams," added Puan.

Puan said that women are development agents so that empowering women is something that must be fought for. He also reminded the importance of women's representation in the decision-making space.

"Women's involvement as leaders and policymakers is a tangible form of emancipation that RA Kartini aspires to," he said.

Puan hopes that Kartini-Kartini will continue to grow and be empowered today. She said women can attend as legislators, activists, health workers, educators, MSME entrepreneurs, to housewives who instill equality values in their children.

"We have seen that women can lead this nation, such as Mrs. Megawati Soekarnoputri. That is proof that Indonesian women are able to be in strategic positions even though the road that must be passed is long and not easy," said Puan.

"But from there we can see that every woman who manages to break the boundary, they are also opening the door for other women," he added.

On the other hand, Puan considers that RA Kartini's thinking is still very relevant to women today. She said the struggle for emancipation today must be realized in a tangible form that has a direct impact on women's lives, ranging from sided regulations to legal systems that really protect women from violence and discrimination.

"Women's welfare is the main indicator of the progress of a nation. And justice for women is not a gift, but a constitutional right that must be guaranteed by the state," said Puan.

Moreover, he continued, the challenges of women today are increasingly complex. Including how women face acts of sexual harassment, domestic violence, discrimination in the world of work, to social stereotypes that hinder women's freedom.

"Women must be given a safe space. A safe room is not only a physical matter, but also a psychological and social one. Often people closest to you who abuse their trust and create situations that endanger women. So we must take care of each other, strengthen each other, and most importantly: dare to speak up," he said.

Puan also revealed Komnas Perempuan data which recorded 459,094 cases of violence against women in the past year. He considered, this should be an alarm that the protection system for women in Indonesia is still weak and patriarchal culture is still strong-rooted.

"This is not just a number, but a scream that shows that our protection system is still weak, and patriarchal culture is still too deep in gripping women's living spaces, both at home, at work, in the digital space," said Puan.

Therefore, at the commemoration of Kartini Day 2025, Puan also invited Indonesian women not to be afraid to speak up if they became victims of violence or harassment.

"Women must dare to speak and refuse if anyone tries to harm or threaten their safety. Never feel afraid or embarrassed to report acts of sexual harassment. The state must be present to provide protection, and we must all maintain a safe space for women," said Puan.

Puan also invited all parties, both women and men, to see emancipation as a collective struggle that would strengthen the nation. He said women and men can support each other in development.

Puan assessed that emancipation must also be interpreted so that women can be applied fairly in every line of life. "Indonesian women must be able to be drivers of development, not just complementary. Emancipation and equality means that women must also be a priority," he said.

"In the context of development, it means how women are given a fair space, given a fair opportunity, given a fair opportunity to enter public spaces to become leaders, as well as to determine policies and so on," added Puan.

Puan also emphasized the commitment of the DPR RI to continue to be a strategic partner in encouraging policies that favor women.

"Kartini Day must be a momentum for national consolidation. That women's struggle is the nation's struggle. The Indonesian House of Representatives will continue to support every step of Indonesian women to live an equal, safe, and prosperous life in every role and choice," concluded Puan.