Commemorating Kartini Day, UIN Jakarta Academic Community Highlights Women's Role in the Modern Era

Jakarta, UIN Online News — The academic community of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta commemorated Kartini Day, which falls on April 21, by highlighting the crucial role of women in the modern era. Through reflective activities and calls to action, UIN Jakarta reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality, women's empowerment, and the protection of women's rights on campus, Monday (21/04/2025).

UIN Jakarta Rector, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., stated that Kartini’s spirit should be embodied in the form of women’s tangible contributions in academia, society, and leadership. "Women play a strategic role in national progress. At UIN Jakarta, we fully support women’s active participation in research, community service, and even leadership positions on campus," he said.

Echoing this sentiment, the Head of UIN Jakarta’s Center for Gender and Child Studies (PSGA), Dr. H. Wiwi Siti Sajaroh, M.Ag., emphasized the importance of using Kartini Day as a momentum to strengthen values of equality and women’s protection in the academic environment.

"Kartini Day celebrations should not be merely ceremonial. It’s time to reinforce our commitment to creating a fair and safe campus for all, especially women and children," she said.

PSGA UIN Jakarta continues to strengthen the system for preventing and handling sexual violence (SV) on campus through ongoing education, training for lecturers and students, and capacity-building for the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS). Consultation services and psychological support are also consistently provided for survivors of violence.

"Moving forward, we aim to reach all campus units so that values of advocacy for victims and awareness of safe spaces truly permeate every level," she explained.

Data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) shows that violence in educational settings remains a major concern. In its 2023 Annual Report (CATAHU), 54 cases of sexual violence were recorded in campus environments, mostly perpetrated by educators or senior students. On the other hand, many victims hesitate to report due to stigma, social pressure, or lack of protective mechanisms.

As a follow-up to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation No. 30 of 2021 on the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Higher Education, UIN Jakarta established the Satgas PPKS in 2023, becoming one of 144 universities in Indonesia to comply with the regulation.

PSGA also urged the entire academic community, especially female students, to keep Kartini’s spirit alive by actively learning, critically engaging with social issues, and courageously reporting violence if experienced or witnessed.

"Today’s Kartini is someone who is empowered, compassionate, and unafraid to speak up. We want UIN Jakarta to be a women- and child-friendly campus that truly stands for justice and equality," she concluded.

(Aida Adha Siregar/Zaenal M./Fauziah M./Noeni Indah Sulistiyani)