Continuing the Spirit of Kartini, Indonesian Women are Increasingly Powerful in the Digital Era

JAKARTA - Kartini spirit today is no longer just about education, but also the courage of women to be independent, work, lead, and develop in various fields.

Starting from online transportation drivers, UMKM actors, to young women in the technology industry, more and more Indonesian women are proving that the space for growth is now wider.

In the midst of these changes, various women empowerment initiatives continue to emerge, especially those that encourage a sense of security, financial independence, and access to technology. The momentum of Kartini Day 2026 is also used to present programs that target women in various layers of the digital ecosystem.

Grab Indonesia Chief Executive Officer, Neneng Goenadi, said women's empowerment is not only about giving opportunities, but also creating a space for women to feel safe and confident to develop.

"Empowerment occurs when women have access, capacity, confidence, and a sense of security to develop. Our focus is to provide them with a platform to develop, so that they are able to pave the way and inspire other women to create a wider impact," said Neneng in a press statement to VOI, Thursday, May 7.

One of the programs presented this year focuses on women's safety in public spaces, especially for female driver partners. Through a martial arts and self-defense training session, participants are equipped with basic skills to deal with unsafe situations while working on the road.

According to Dennis Laoh, Internationally Accredited Urban Self Protection Coach, self-preservation is not only about physical ability, but also mental readiness.

"The basic ability to protect oneself is not only about techniques, but also about mental preparedness and situational awareness. With proper training, women can be more confident in dealing with various situations in public spaces," he explained.

The training also received a positive response from the participants. Putri Herawati, one of the female driver partners, admitted that she felt more prepared after attending the session.

"It's really nice to be able to participate in this training with fellow female driver partners. I'm more aware of what to do if there is an unpleasant situation on the road," he said.

Not only about security, empowerment is also carried out through financial education for women in the MSME sector. Financial management and business capital workshops are one step to help women be more prepared to develop their businesses sustainably.

Financial planner Ayu Sara Herlia considers understanding cash flow and emergency funds to be an important foundation for the sustainability of small businesses.

"By understanding how to manage cash flow and build an emergency fund, business actors can be better prepared to face challenges while developing their business sustainably," he said.

The same was felt by Trivena Florentina, a culinary business owner who participated in the program.

"I got a lot of new insights, especially about how to manage business finances. Now I understand how to manage cash flow and the importance of emergency funds," he said.

On the other hand, attention to women is also directed at the technology sector, which has been dominated by men. Through discussion forums, artificial intelligence (AI) workshops, to digital skills development sessions, young women are invited to be more confident in taking roles in the technology industry.

This series of activities shows that Kartini's spirit in the modern era is no longer limited to a symbol of struggle, but is present in concrete steps to open access, strengthen skills, and create more equal opportunities for Indonesian women.