Jakarta. A Canadian minister was recently moved by a short film on Kartini, the national heroine recognized as Indonesia's symbol of women empowerment.

The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa recently held an event meant to celebrate a year since UNESCO recognized Kartini's handwritten letters as documentary world heritage. It was then that the embassy held a screening for a short film on Kartini, created by the Indonesian embassy staff. The film showed Kartini's struggles and her role in empowering women. It also highlights how the nation's founders have valued women's empowerment since the founding of the Republic of Indonesia, with Maria Ulfa Santoso serving as minister of social affairs in 1946. Along the way, women even held the highest office in Indonesia when Megawati Soekarnoputri served as President from 2001 to 2004.

Today, Indonesia boasts many inspiring female figures, including Indonesia's first female finance minister Sri Mulyani and the first female foreign minister Retno Marsudi.  Another example is Armida Alisjahbana, the incumbent Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) .

Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab who attended the event was moved by the film, according to the embassy's release.

She recounted her personal experiences, which deeply resonated with Kartini's message of struggle. Her parents entrusted her with the mandate that her five daughters, of whom she is the eldest, receive the highest possible education.

"Kartini's letters are not just historical documents, but rather a window into the thoughts of a young woman who dared to defy the limitations of her time. Through her ideas on education, equality, and the power of knowledge, Kartini demonstrated that progress is born when we dare to challenge convention and open up opportunities. Her legacy lives on—inspiring women in Indonesia and around the world, and reminding us that when women are empowered, all of society will progress," Diab said. 

Indonesian Ambassador to Ottawa Muhsin Syihab said that Indonesia is not only proud to have Kartini in its history, but also has an obligation and responsibility to continue her struggle and promote her noble values.

"Today, Indonesia stands as a living testament to Kartini's vision. A woman once led this nation as President (2001–2004). Indonesian women have also held strategic roles," Muhsin said, citing the various ministerial roles held by women.

"[They are] managing some of the most defining global challenges of our time," Muhsin said.

Muhsin is also confident that more women will lead Indonesian diplomatic missions abroad in the coming decade. According to Muhsin, women have dominated the Indonesian diplomatic recruitment over the past decade.

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