MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA – President of ‘Aisyiyah Salmah Orbayinah mentioned that Mother’s Day on December 22 is a moment to reflect on the lives of women in Indonesia.
“Violence against women remains a significant problem, with many cases going unreported or unresolved,” emphasized Salmah Orbayinah on Sunday, December 22.
She pointed out that violence against women is more common in private settings, like households, than in public spaces. Cultural factors, a lack of legal support, and widespread inequality make it difficult to address these issues effectively.
“We should keep raising awareness and upholding justice to protect women’s rights and create fairness for them. Women Empower Women toward a Golden Indonesia 2045. Happy Mother’s Day, December 22, 2024,” expressed Salmah Orbayinah.
Historically, founded on May 19, 1917, ‘Aisyiyah, the women’s wing of Muhammadiyah, has fought for the emancipation of Muslim women, not only in Indonesia but also globally.
‘Aisyiyah contributed significantly to the establishment of the Indonesian Women’s Congress (KOWANI) in 1928. Aisyiyah played a significant role in the Congress by sending two key delegates, Siti Munjiyah who served as Vice Chairperson of the Congress and Siti Hajinah Mawardi.
At the Congress, Siti Munjiyah advised Indonesian women to be discerning when adopting Western advancements. She encouraged embracing beneficial aspects like science and technology while rejecting influences on morality, lifestyle, and materialism that conflicted with Eastern cultural values.
The Congress further motivated ‘Aisyiyah to expand its pioneering efforts. These included founding early childhood education through Frobel School in 1919, now known as TK ‘Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal (TK ABA), promoting literacy programs, building women’s prayer halls in 1922, organizing baby care congresses, empowering women, and publishing the Suara ‘Aisyiyah magazine in 1926.
Additionally, another influential figure of Aisyiyah, Siti Sukaptinah, represented the Jong Islamieten Bond Afdeeling Wanita (JIBDA/Women’s Islamic Youth Association of Yogyakarta as the Congress’s First Secretary. At just 13 years old, she became a member of Muhammadiyah Siswapraja Wanita (Muhammadiyah Young Women’s Association), which later evolved into Nasyiatul Aisyiyah.
