Raden Adjeng Kartini : The Symbol of Women Emancipation in Indonesia

Raden Adjeng Kartini or known as RA. Kartini was born on April 21, 1879, in Mayong,
Jepara, Indonesia. Kartini’s father was the Regency Chief of Jepara, Raden Mas Adipati
Aryo Sosroningrat. Her mother, MA Ngasirah was the first wife of her father, but not his
main wife. (because in that time, there’s rule that a regency chief has to marry a lady
which comes from an aristrocrat family, so her father married with Raden Adjeng
Woerjan from Madura).

Her father being a Javanese aristocrat working for the Dutch making Kartini had the
unusual opportunity to attend a Dutch school (ELS) , which exposed her to Western
ideas and made her fluent in Dutch. In the age of 15, she was forced to withdraw to the
cloistered existence prescribed by tradition for a Javanese girl of noble birth. However, it
did not stop her from learning. She furthered her study through books and letters she
received from her brother and friends. As she furthered her study, Kartini became
interested in the mindset of European women. Her ideas also influenced by Mevrouw
Ovink-Soer, wife of a Dutch official and a dedicated socialist and feminist.

In her letters she began to expressed concern for the plight of Indonesians under
conditions of colonial rule and restricted roles for Indonesian women. She resolved to
make her own life an emancipation model. She started to search for more education,
and with the help of Ovink-Soer she managed to made the excellent writings that were
published in newspaper. She even got a scholarship offer to study abroad.

Ironically, in her eagerness to escape her isolation, Kartini was quick to accept a
marriage proposal arranged by her father. On November 8, 1903, she wed the regent of
Rembang, Raden Adipati Joyodiningrat. He was 26 years older than Kartini, and
already had three wives and 12 children. The marriage dashed her hopes of accepting
the scholarship.

But, she is not someone who gives up easily. Intent on spreading her feminist message,
with her new husband's approval, Kartini made to start her own school for Javanese
girls. In 1903 she opened the first Indonesian primary school for native girls that did not
discriminate based on their social status. The school was set up inside her father's
home, and taught girls a progressive, Western-based curriculum. (The school now has
become gedung pramuka in Rembang)

On September 17, 1904, at the age of 25, Kartini died in Rembang,of complication after
giving birth to her first child, Soesalit. Seven years after her death, J.H. Abendanon—
former director of the Department of Education, Religion, and Industry—arranged for
publication of her letters under the title “Through Darkness into Light”. The book enjoyed
great popularity and generated support. Because of her books, she had made changes
to the people’s lives and left great legacy. Her ideology spurred the spirit of native
Indonesians to achieve education equality and eradicate social injustices.

On May 2, 1964, President Soekarno issued a decree which stipulated Kartini as a Hero
of National Independence. April 21 is also Kartini Day. And as a sign of respect, there’s
museum in Rembang, schools and foundations in its name.