Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Lestari Moerdijat, emphasized the powerful synergy between youth and women’s movements in shaping national morality and driving development.She said October holds a special meaning as a historical moment marking the birth of two major national movements — the Youth Pledge and the Women’s Congress initiated by the Indonesian Women’s Congress (Kowani) in 1928.
The Youth Pledge, declared on October 28, 1928, united young people from diverse ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds under one vision: one motherland, one nation, and one language - Indonesia. This declaration became the foundation of Indonesia’s national identity and the spirit that fueled the struggle for independence.
In the same year, the First Indonesian Women’s Congress, held in Yogyakarta from December 22 to 25, 1928, gathered women from various regions and organizations to advocate for equality, education, and social justice.
The congress led to the establishment of Kowani as an umbrella organization to consolidate the women’s movement in Indonesia. Since then, December 22 has been commemorated as Mother’s Day (Hari Ibu) in Indonesia, recognizing the pivotal role of women in the nation’s development and independence struggle.
“Both movements drove significant change that paved the way for Indonesia’s independence,” Lestari said in a statement here on Thursday.
According to her, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia affirms that all citizens are equal before the law and government and are obliged to uphold both without exception. This equality also extends to the right and duty of every citizen to actively participate in the national development process.
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Lestari encouraged the younger generation and women to realize the constitutional mandate by taking active roles in advancing the nation. She highlighted the importance of strengthening intellectual capacity and skills to respond to modern challenges such as disinformation, pragmatism, apathy, and social inequality.
Furthermore, she expressed hope that young people will face these challenges by grounding their attitudes in the four pillars of nationality - Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
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Lestari said she is confident that the younger generation possesses the ability to mobilize society and act as the driving force of development in realizing the nation’s shared ideals. In an era marked by rapid technological change and global competition, Indonesian youth are increasingly taking leadership roles in innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action, and creative industries.
Likewise, women are breaking barriers across sectors - from politics and education to science, business, and technology - proving that equality and empowerment are not only ideals but realities shaping the nation’s progress.
