Badung, Bali (ANTARA) - Modern women must reflect on Kartini's struggle to break the limitations placed on women and be motivated to participate in the nation’s development, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga has said.

"The Kartini Day momentum is a form of respect for Raden Ajeng Kartini's struggle to achieve equality between women and men," she said at the 2nd National Women's Conference here, on Saturday.

At the conference, Minister Puspayoga read Kartini's letter to Rosa Manuela Abendanon-Mandri.

Kartini’s letter described her ideals and spirit. At the time, she was still a young woman who lived in "three layers of shackles," but she was able to break free from them with her wisdom.

Although Kartini was born into nobility, as a woman, she faced marginalization and she continued to fight against it. She never gave in to norms that hindered any aspect of her life.

"She never stopped thinking, increasing her awareness about change, about indigenous oppression, and about her customs," the minister said.

Efforts to promote equality need to continue because Kartini tirelessly fought for women's emancipation and the struggle she started is not yet over.

By reading Kartini's letter at the conference, which was held at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Center, Puspayoga wanted to spotlight Kartini's struggle 145 years ago.

The conference voiced the aspirations and interests of women, people with disabilities, indigenous people, marginalized communities, migrant workers, women heads of households, communities living in remote areas, and survivors of violence and disasters.

The participants voiced their aspirations through the nine main agendas for women, disabled people, and marginalized groups.

The main agendas will serve as suggestions for the five-year development planning document at the national and regional levels.

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Translator: Sugiharto P, Kenzu
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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