Building the Nation, Laili Abidah Delivers Key Messages for Women

SURABAYA - Commemorating Kartini Day, the East Java DPRD member from the PKB faction, Laili Abidah, stated that the ongoing struggle of Indonesian women should serve as motivation for women across the country to continue contributing to national development. According to her, the progress of women’s emancipation has encouraged greater equality between women and men by promoting proportional and inclusive participation and leadership.

“This should become a source of motivation for outstanding women who have contributed to the nation. Indonesian women must continue strengthening their role in development,” said Laili Abidah on Tuesday (21/04/2026).

In line with this spirit, various female leaders in East Java have also continued to reinforce the role of women in regional development.

Laili compared women to a knife that must be sharpened in order to provide optimal contributions, particularly toward the development of East Java.

“Women are like a knife. When sharpened, women are able to contribute positively to the nation, especially in East Java. Therefore, women must be spiritually strong and independent,” she stressed.

Strengthening women’s capacity has likewise become a shared concern among many female legislators.

According to Laili, modern women now carry increasingly complex roles—not only as mothers, but also as community leaders and public representatives.

“Women nowadays are more capable of managing multiple roles. They are mothers and simultaneously are community figures or representatives of the people,” she explained.

In addition, women’s social awareness remains an essential aspect of their tangible contribution to society.

To navigate the challenges of the modern era, Laili emphasized four essential components that women must possess: integrity, competence, independence, and strong spirituality.

“Women must be physically independent, possess strong competencies to remain competitive, demonstrate firm commitment, and uphold strong spiritual values. These four components are the foundation for women who are principled, competent, self-reliant, and spiritually resilient,” she concluded.

Laili expressed hope that the progress of emancipation will continue to strengthen the synergy between women and men in carrying out balanced roles to build Indonesia, particularly East Java.