Jakarta (ANTARA) - Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, on the commemoration of Kartini Day 2025, urged Indonesian women to speak out against violence and sexual harassment.

"Women must dare to speak up and refuse if anyone tries to harm or threaten their safety. Never feel afraid or ashamed to report acts of sexual harassment," she said on Monday.

She noted that the challenges faced by women—starting from sexual harassment, domestic violence, discrimination at work, to social stereotypes—are becoming increasingly complex and hindering their freedom.

Therefore, the state must consistently be present to protect and maintain a safe space for women, she stressed.

"Women must be given a safe space. A safe space is not only physical, but also psychological and social. Often, it is the closest people who abuse trust and create situations that endanger women," Puan said.

"So, we must protect each other, strengthen each other, and most importantly, dare to speak up," she added.

As per data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women, 459,094 cases of violence against women were recorded in the past year.

Puan emphasized that the record should raise alarm bells regarding the protection system for women in Indonesia, which is still weak, and the patriarchal culture, which is still deeply rooted.

"This is not just a number, but a cry that shows that our protection system is still weak, and patriarchal culture still grips women's lives too deeply, both at home, at work, and in the digital space," she said.

She also affirmed the commitment of the DPR 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 taken by Indonesian women to live equally, safely, and prosperously in every role and choice," she said.

Puan, who is the first woman to serve as Speaker of the DPR, said that Kartini Day, which is commemorated annually on April 21, is not just a ceremony.

It is also a moment to carry forward the spirit of Raden Adjeng Kartini, a 19th-century writer and thinker who inspired women's empowerment and gender equality efforts in the country, she added.

"This commemoration is not only about remembering, 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 the public sphere," Puan said.

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