Happy Kartini Day to all Indonesian women
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga has asked all Indonesian women to become strong, empowered, and independent modern-day Kartinis as well as strive to develop their potential.



"Happy Kartini Day to all Indonesian women. Do not be afraid to dream big. Always keep the spirit of Kartini in your heart. Be a better woman for the country and be a strong woman that could inspire other women. Empowered women can advance Indonesia," Puspayoga remarked on Thursday.



Kartini Day, which falls on April 21, is a momentum to respect the late Indonesian hero, Kartini, who fought for equal rights for women and men in the past.



Although Kartini's struggle brought many changes, the nation's struggles and great ideals in establishing equality have not yet been fully achieved, the minister said.


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"Mrs. Kartini was one of the Indonesian heroes who fought for women's emancipation. Women must be able to access education and have opportunities in their careers. We all believe that women have extraordinary potential, cannot be underestimated, and cannot be placed only as second-class citizens, but as equal partners in any context," she emphasized.



Puspayoga also said that eliminating the gender gap and bias has been a challenge for all parties. Moreover, the potential and strength of women cannot be underestimated.


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"The mention of women as Mothers of the Nation is certainly not a mere figure of speech. The role of women, starting from the family, economic, social, political, cultural, and national development sectors cannot be underestimated anymore," she added.



Therefore, the minister said that gender mainstreaming in every development sector must become a shared goal for men and women.



Fighting for gender equality does not mean encouraging women to be equal to men, but breaking down stigmas that still marginalize women's position and providing equal opportunities so that women and men can enjoy equal standing, she added.



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Translator: Anita Permata Dewi, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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