More Than A Century Of RA Kartini's Struggle, There Is Still A Lot Of Homework For Women's Emancipation In Indonesia

Roekmini and Kartini (right), two of the eight children of RM Samingoen and R.Ay. Ngasirah (garwa ampil). Kartini's thoughts far surpassed those of his time. (KITLV)

JAKARTA - Indonesian people, especially women, commemorate Kartini Day every April 21. Has Kartini's wish for Indonesian women been achieved?

RA Kartini is one of the women's national heroes who is highly respected. In the midst of a highly inherent patriarchal culture, Kartini tries to fight for women's rights to have the same opportunity.

Kartini Day commemoration is almost always carried out in every school every year. The goal is one, to remember the services of the hero who has struggled in realizing equal opportunities between men and women in the modern era, especially in the field of education and in general gender equality in all fields.

Without Kartini's struggle in the past, Indonesian women do not necessarily have the freedom to receive the highest possible education.

Kartini Day was officially commemorated in 1964 by President Soekarno, based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Number 108 of 1964 every April 21 in accordance with the birthday of the hero.

Quoted from the page of Insan Cita Indonesia University, RA Kartini is a hero born among aristocrats. She is the first daughter of the Regent of Jepara Raden Mas Sosriningrat and the Religious Teacher of the Supreme Court Ngasirah.

Born during the colonial period, Kartini had to feel the gap in rights between men and women, especially in the field of education. But because he felt that his rights were not equal, RA Kartini spent a lot of time digging through knowledge by reading books after he finished his education up to the equivalent of Elementary School (SD) at Europesche Lagre School (ELS).

RA Kartini set up a female school near the Rembang Regency office complex. His decision received full support from his husband, Raden Adipati Joyodingrat, so that there were many changes in education, especially women.

But RA Kartini's struggle had to end on September 17, 1904 when she breathed her last. Kartini died at a young age, 25 years old, shortly after giving birth to her first child, Soesalit Djjodhiningrat.

More than a century after Kartini died, women in the world, including Indonesia, continued to struggle to achieve gender equality. Due to the fact, the ideal for women and men to have the same opportunities in education, work, and various other aspects is still difficult to implement.

Various factors are the reason why women are still perceived as individuals with limited space for movement than men. One of them is patriarchal culture that is still very attached to Indonesia.

So it's no wonder that low levels of education and income are more common in women. In fact, education and the economy or income have an important role in women's empowerment.

Diakui Wakil Ketua Umum Partai Gerindra, Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo, emasi perempuan saat ini masih belum sesuai dengan keharapan Kartini.

Empansiasi perempuan memiliki dua sisi. Pertama, perempuan sering ditekan untuk menyadari potensinya. Namun, kerap kali kami lupa bahwa perempuan takang karena kurang pengetahuan sejarah dan literasi. Kita memiliki banyak tokoh perempuan hebat di Indonesia, tetapi banyak yang lupa akan kontribusi mereka karena kurang pengeramanan akan sejarah, kata Sara kepada VOI.

I face challenges in some areas. First, in terms of politics, the political system without spending restrictions makes it easier for people with money or popularity to win. Second, in terms of economics, there are still many women who experience discrimination despite having the same potential. And third, in terms of culture, there is still a stigma against women, even women themselves, "he added.

Alpha woman or female alpha has become a term that has been more frequently heard in recent years. Clinical psychologist and forensic psychologist Kasandra Putranto explained that alpha women in Indonesia refer to women who have leadership quality with confidence, independence, and firmness in their personal and professional lives.

Although alpha women have started to be accepted in some Indonesian people, there is still a lot of homework so that gender equality can actually be realized.

"The presence of alpha women in Indonesia has become increasingly visible in recent years, with more women taking leadership positions in various fields, including politics, business, media and entertainment," Kasandra told VOI.

"However, there are still stereotypes and biases against women in Indonesia, and there is still a lot of work to be done to promote gender equality and empower women to realize their full potential," he concluded.