VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mother's Day in Indonesia is celebrated nationally on December 22. This date was inaugurated by President Soekarno under the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia No. 316 of 1959 on December 16, 1959, on the 25th anniversary of the 1928 Indonesian Women's Congress. The date was chosen to celebrate the spirit of Indonesian women and to raise awareness of the nation and state. Now, the meaning of Mother's Day has changed a lot, where the day is now commemorated by expressing love for mothers. People exchange gifts and organize various events and competitions, such as cooking and wearing kebaya competitions. [4]

Mother's Day in Indonesia is celebrated on the anniversary of the opening day of the first Indonesian Women's Congress, which was held from December 22 to 25, 1928. [5] [6] This congress was held in a building called Dalem Jayadipuran, [7] which is now the office of the Center for Preservation of History and Traditional Values ​​on Jl. Brigjen Katamso, Yogyakarta. The congress was attended by around 30 women's organizations from 12 cities in Java and Sumatra. In Indonesia, women's organizations have been around since 1912, inspired by 19th century Indonesian female heroes such as Kartini, Martha Christina Tiahahu, Cut Nyak Meutia, Maria Walanda Maramis, Dewi Sartika, Nyai Ahmad Dahlan, Rasuna Said, and so on. [5] The Congress is intended to improve women's rights in education and marriage. [8]

Indonesia also celebrated Kartini Day on April 21, in memory of female activist Raden Ajeng Kartini. This is a celebration of women's emancipation. [6] This commemoration date was inaugurated at the 1938 Indonesian Women's Congress. [8] When President Soekarno established Kartini as a national hero of women's emancipation and Kartini's birthday as a commemoration of the national women's emancipation day. But many Indonesians protested for various reasons, including Kartini only struggling in Jepara and Rembang, Kartini was more pro-Dutch than female figures such as Cut Nyak Dien, etc. Because Soekarno had already established Kartini Day, Soekarno thought about how to commemorate women heroes besides Kartini such as Martha Christina Tiahahu, Cut Nyak Meutia, Maria Walanda Maramis, Dewi Sartika, Nyai Ahmad Dahlan, Rasuna Said, etc. Finally Sukarno decided to make National Mother's Day a day to commemorate female heroes, aka heroes of mothers and all Indonesians agreed. [Citation needed]