Indonesian Legislator Highlights R.A. Kartini’s Legacy at UN Gender Equality Session

SEAToday.com, Jakarta -Indonesian lawmaker Diah Pikatan Orissa Putri Hapsari emphasized the legacy of Raden Ajeng (R.A.) Kartini during the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) session at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States.

“This theme reminds me of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a prominent feminist figure in Indonesia. In 1905, Kartini stated that we cannot return to a time when women were treated unfairly. Her words remain relevant today,” said Pinka Haprani, a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), as quoted on Antara.

Despite over a century since Kartini’s advocacy and 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, gender equality remains a challenge due to entrenched patriarchal structures. Pinka emphasized the need for affirmative action to address systemic barriers against women.

She also highlighted Indonesia’s parliamentary efforts in advancing gender equality, including assessing the role of parliament in advancing the Beijing Declaration, mobilizing against backlash and committing to policies for gender equality, and ensuring equal representation in decision-making processes.

The CSW-69 session (March 10-21, 2025) focuses on 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) and its contributions to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“In the first session, parliamentary delegations discussed women’s political participation, aiming for more inclusive representation in national policy making,” she concluded as quoted on Antara.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas