Kartini Day History

2. Background of the Kartini Day and Malala Day

2.1 The Evolution of Kartini Day

Petra Mahy (2012) summarized symbolization and evolution in the celebration of Kartini Day very obviously from the colonial era of Netherlands to post-reformation era in 1998. This chapter is the literature review from the writing of Mahy entitled "Being Kartini: Ceremony and Print Media in the Commemoration of Indonesia's First Feminist.” According to Mahy, the first celebration of Kartini's birthday was recorded by a media, De Locomotif newspaper, in 1929, in Van De Venter Solo School. As reported on the same newspaper, the similar celebration spread to all cities in Central Java and some cities in Sumatra Island one year later. The famous competition of fashion

Every region then portrayed the figure of local heroines who are equal to Kartini. In the internet era, the debate on Kartini Day then becomes popular, regular issue toward April. Unfortunately, in the aforementioned paper, Mahy did not discuss the debate of Islamic group on Kartini and conspiracy theory. It is not discussed since it may be a too sensitive issue. However, considering the correlation with the pros and cons of Malala Day in Pakistan currently, it is undeniable that the discourse on Kartini and conspiracy theory also develops in Indonesia. The discussion about this topic is stated in Chapter 3.1 in

UN special Envoy for Global Education, Gordon Brown, then delivered a petition in support of Malala and the universal right to education. Previously, there was discourse to make 10 November as Malala Day, the day when Malala was shot. However, this discourse was canceled.

Secretary-general of United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, then determined Malala Day on 12 July 2013. That day was the 16th birthday of Malala and United Nations made her a symbol of the importance of education as the most fundamental human rights. Malala was invited to UN Headquarters New York at the same day to give a speech and sign "Youth Resolution, The Education We Want" on the initiative of Ban Ki-Moon. Malala stated that Malala Day is not a day to celebrate herself, but also the children of Swat Valley and every child in the world.

Since it has not been 2 years yet since the determination of Malala Day, the world only knows Malala, without further understanding on Malala Day. The pros and cons on Malala Day occurred in Pakistan and it resulted in the opinion war on media. Although there is controversy (even before the biography entitled "I am Malala" was published), it can be said that Malala Day did not pass the evolution like Kartini Day yet. The discussion about this topic is stated in Chapter 3.2 in