Jakarta – There is a sufficient set of regulations promoting women's rights, but gender discrimination remains a stumbling block to women's role in national development, a minister said on Thursday (27/04).

In a speech for an event celebrating Kartini Day in Jakarta, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise said that generations of Indonesian women have drawn inspiration from Kartini, but the fight for women's empowerment has still a long way to go.

Indonesian national heroine Kartini is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of women empowerment.

"Indonesia has passed many regulations on women's rights and gender equality. But there's still this attitude that women should sit in the second row," she said in the speech read out by her deputy, Vennetia Danes.

Due to a tight schedule, Yohana could not attend Thursday's event, which was co-organized by the ministry and gathered dozens of women activists and students.

Yohana, the first Papuan woman to be appointed minister, said that persisting gender-based discrimination has been hampering women's role in various areas of national development.

"There should be no more lies that women are not needed," she said. "Behind our successful efforts to settle this nation's problems, there is a big role of women. Behind their soft hearts, there is courage to defend this nation."

"Thus, we call on all parties to give room for women to flourish, in line with Kartini's ideals," Yohana added.

Kartini, who was born and raised in an aristocratic family in Central Java, fought against restrictions on young aristocratic Javanese women of her era by communicating her ideas through letters to her Dutch friends.

There have been several collections of Kartini's letters, the most notable being "Out of Darkness, Into the Light," "Women's Life in the Village" and "Letters of a Javanese Princess." They have since become a source of inspiration for many who fight for equality.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/gender-discrimination-still-impedes-national-development-minister/