Raden Adjeng Kartini

Indonesian feminist pioneer who advocated for women’s education and empowerment during colonial rule

Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879–1904), a Javanese noblewoman, defied Dutch colonial norms by advocating for women’s education and autonomy. Though forced into polygamous marriage at 24, her letters (published posthumously as Door Duisternis tot Licht, or Letters of a Javanese Princess) critiqued feudalism and colonialism, demanding equal opportunities for women.

Kartini founded schools for girls in Rembang, emphasizing science and critical thinking over domestic skills. Her ideas laid the groundwork for Indonesia’s feminist movement, culminating in Kartini Day (April 21), a national holiday celebrating gender equality.

Unlike her contemporaries, Kartini blended Western feminism with indigenous values, arguing that education would elevate Indonesia’s societal status. Her legacy endures in organizations like UN Women, which cite her as a global inspiration.