The designation of Kartini Day, which we commemorate every year, cannot be separated from the strategic move of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno. Historian Asvi Warman Adam revealed that this moment was confirmed through Presidential Decree No. 108 of 1964, which also named the emancipation figure a National Independence Hero.
In historical accounts, the decree did not actually designate Kartini alone. There were 13 other national figures also named, including two other female freedom fighters, Cut Nyak Dien and Cut Meutya. However, Asvi noted that Kartini held a more special position both in the eyes of the general public and among politicians of that era.
Kartini's popularity was deeply rooted even during the colonial era. Asvi gave an example of how the women's organization Gerwani adopted Kartini's prominent name for their magazine titled 'Api Kartini' (Kartini's Fire). The use of the term 'fire' referred to Soekarno's philosophy, which emphasized that the Indonesian nation should take the revolutionary spirit of its predecessors, not just old values.
Furthermore, Soekarno held a deep respect for Kartini because of her dedication to advocating for women's right to education through literacy. According to Asvi, Kartini was considered a figure representing an intellectual movement without physical violence, serving as a symbol of an inclusive struggle for both Javanese and national society.
