I guess it is not just in Indonesia but also in almost all countries in this world that women were (or maybe ARE) discriminated. Women could not go to school and study like men. Women just stayed at home and learned how to be a good wife and a good mother. Women did not have as much freedom as men had.
Indonesians (both men and women) believe that Kartini is a heroine. Yes, I believe that too. I think it will be too long to tell Kartini's life here so I'll just give the link to her article in Wikipedia.
Okay brief biography. Kartini was born in an aristocratic family in Java. She attended school but just until 12 years old. Then she had to stay at home and learn how to become a good wife. She had to marry a man she did not love. It was her father's wish. She wrote letters to some Dutch pen pals about how women are discriminated in the Javanese culture. She passed away when she was just 25 after delivering her baby.
After her death, the minister of culture of East Indies Mr. Abendanon collected her letters and published a book titled Door Duisternis tot Licht. This book was the foundation of gender equality in Indonesia. April 21st (her birthdate) is now Kartini Day.
Kartini lived more than 100 years ago. Now, Indonesian women are no longer discriminated. Women are allowed to go to school and have the same right with men. Even Indonesia elected a female president, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
However, there are still discrimination among women and men. And I think it is not only in Indonesia but everywhere in this world. So, today I'm going to post my view on what to do to vanish the discrimination.
1. Same earning for men and women
I just read a very interesting article in Time. The title is Why do Women Still Earn Less than Men?. I guess it's an interesting article. But actually it is very hard to make it practical. I mean how can a government guarantee same earning for men and women? I guess that's what politicians should think now. Can same earning for men and women regulated by government?
2. Forbid schools to drop out pregnant teenagers
I really have no idea whether that's real or not. One of my favorite movie is Juno. And in this movie, Juno, a pregnant teenager, can still study and do activities in school just like she is not pregnant. This kind of thing does not happen in Indonesia. I guess in Indonesia a girl will be dropped out from school if she's pregnant. This is so unfair. It leads to things like this. The pregnant girl cannot find a new school because all schools will not accept a dropped out student. She cannot attend college because she doesn't have school diploma. She must get married then with the one who has made her pregnant. But, what if she had been raped? What if the guy who has made her pregnant were just a teenager? So, it is clear the government should forbid schools to drop out pregnant teenager. She still has the right to study and attend college and have a life just like all women. Just because she's pregnant doesn't mean she has to stay at home, raise her kid and have no more access to education.
3. Eradicate women trafficking
Women trafficking is a problem in Indonesia. Young girls are often kidnapped and then forced to become a prostitute in another country (usually Malaysia). Even there are agencies which promise good job as maid in foreign countries. Some women believe this and they pay some money and attend some training to be a maid or babysitter. But in the end, they are forced to be a prostitute and live in misery.
So how do Indonesians commemorate Kartini on Kartini Day?
Okay. First, see her picture
archive: Wikipedia
Well Kartini is such a truly Indonesian woman. Her beauty, her style, her look are truly Indonesia. Unfortunately people then tend to think Kartini Day is not about fighting for female emancipation but about dressing in traditional costume of Indonesia. Girls dress up with kebaya and konde exactly like how Kartini dresses. And boys wear traditional costumes of Indonesia. Today Kartini Day does not deal anymore with female emancipation. It is becoming a bit meaningless.
But good sides:
Kartini Day is becoming a bit meaningless because Indonesian women have achieved their goals. Women are now treated equally in Indonesia. And, another good side despite its tendency to become meaningless, Kartini Day becomes the only day when Indonesians want to wear traditional costumes at work or at school.
Happy Kartini Day. Have a good lives, women.
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