State Islamic University Library Building in Jakarta - In the celebration of Kartini Day - April 21, 2025, the Librarian of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta invites the public to reflect on the role of literacy and books in shaping the thoughts of Raden Ajeng Kartini - a pioneer of the emancipation of Indonesian women who is timeless.

Through a reflection entitled “When Books Inspire Kartini”, written by Mr. Agus Rifai, Ph.D., - Head of UIN Jakarta Library, this can be a reminder that the transformation of Indonesian women cannot be separated from the power of reading and writing.
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Written by: Agus Rifai, Ph.D., (Head of UIN Jakarta Library)

Monday, April 21, 2025 - Who would have thought that a young woman from Jepara who lived more than a century ago could become a symbol of change and inspiration for millions of Indonesian women? She is Raden Ajeng Kartini - a figure we know today as a pioneer of women's emancipation. However, behind her brilliant thoughts, there is one thing that we often fail to notice: the role of books in shaping Kartini's ideas and courage.

Kartini did live in a world full of boundaries. As a child of Javanese aristocrats, she experienced a period of “pingitan” - where women were not allowed to leave the house freely before marriage. But, behind those walls, her mind traveled the world. How? By readin.

The Books that Shaped Kartini
One of the most influential books in Kartini's life was Max Havelaar by Multatuli (the pen name of Eduard Douwes Dekker). This book tells the story of the injustice and suffering of the indigenous people due to the Dutch colonial system. Although it was written by a Dutchman, its content was highly critical of colonialism in the Indies.

Kartini was deeply moved by this book. In a letter to a pen friend in the Netherlands, she wrote: "Multatuli, I love him, love him, love him. It is because of him that I learned to understand the meaning of justice." Besides Max Havelaar, Kartini also read various other books and articles that opened her mind. Among them:
- Louis Couperus' De Stille Kracht, which discusses the clash between Western and Eastern cultures.
- De Hollandsche Lelie, a Dutch women's magazine that contains articles on education, equality and the advancement of women.
- The writings of Rousseau and Havelock Ellis, who introduced the ideas of individual freedom and human rights.

All this reading enriched Kartini's thinking, and made her realize that education is the door out of backwardness. It was from these books that Kartini's views began to open up. She learned that women in other countries could go to school, work, and even speak in public. This made her wonder, “Why do women here have to be silent and just be a complement?” In one of her letters, Kartini once said:

"I really want to be a well-rounded person. I want to read, study, think and work like a man." -Kartini to Mrs. Abendanon, May 25, 1899 (quoted from Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang, translation by Armijn Pane)

She then poured out all her thoughts in letters to her pen pals in the Netherlands, such as Rosa and J.H. Abendanon. The letters were later booked into Door Duisternis tot Licht (Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang), which is now a legendary book and Kartini's intellectual legacy to the Indonesian people.

The Book as a Lantern of Change
What Kartini did is actually very relevant to our world today. She didn't carry weapons, she didn't lead demonstrations, but she fought back through words and ideas. She believed that women should have equal opportunities to learn and think. And for that, books are key. In the midst of limited space, books kept Kartini free. Free to dream, to ask questions, even to sue. And from those dreams, the changes we see today were born - from access to education for women, to women's freedom to speak out and determine the direction of their own lives.

From Kartini for Us Today
Kartini has proven that a book can light the torch of change. Today, when we have easier access to literacy, digital media and education, we should continue that spirit. Not just by reading, but also by thinking critically and speaking up for what matters.

The young Kartini from Jepara has inspired many people just by reading and writing. Imagine, what can we do today —with more freedom, more access, and more voice?

Happy Kartini Day. Let's continue to light the lantern of literacy and courage - as Kartini once did, with just a book in her hand. *AR

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