PRIME NEWS POST 

The Indonesian, (Jakarta) – The Indonesian Women’s Congress (KOWANI), the oldest and largest federation of women’s organizations in the country, has officially launched the National Movement for Women Wearing Kebaya, combined with a festive national fun walk held with participants wearing the traditional attire.

“This moment of reflection and commemoration of Kartini Day is not merely an annual ceremony to honor the services of the pioneer of women’s emancipation. It is also established as a milestone in reviving the cultural identity of Indonesian women through the kebaya, which is a noble national heritage,” said Nannie Hadi Tjahjanto, Chairperson of KOWANI, while speaking to the media during the event in Jakarta on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

She emphasized that the kebaya embodies deep philosophical values of patience, grace, and inner strength—traits that characterize the spirit of women across the Indonesian archipelago. More than just fabric sewn into clothing, the kebaya serves as a unifying symbol that transcends differences in ethnicity and social status throughout the nation.

“Through this national movement, KOWANI invites all groups of women, ranging from community members at the grassroots level to policy makers. We encourage everyone to take pride in wearing the kebaya as part of cultural diplomacy and a collective effort to strengthen our national identity amid the influence of global cultures,” she added.

According to her, the movement was brought to life through the fun walk, which took place along a meaningful and historically significant route in central Jakarta. Thousands of participants representing various women’s organizations under KOWANI took part in the activity.

“The walk began at KOWANI’s head office located at 58 Imam Bonjol Street and finished at the Sarinah Building on Thamrin Street, Central Jakarta,” she stated.

Filled with enthusiasm and togetherness, the participants walked along main thoroughfares toward the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, a landmark representing the nation’s modern development. The cultural procession concluded at the Sarinah Building, an iconic historical site that has now been transformed into a center for showcasing creative industry works and local small and medium enterprises.

“The choice of this route, spanning approximately 1.2 kilometers, carries a strong symbolic message. It demonstrates that the kebaya remains highly relevant to the dynamics of modern life today,” Nannie explained.

She further stated that KOWANI also aims to show the public that the kebaya is highly versatile and comfortable enough to be worn for outdoor activities such as walking, while still preserving its traditional values and characteristics.

“The sight of thousands of women wearing kebaya in public spaces is expected to inspire the younger generation, so that they no longer feel awkward wearing it or view it as clothing suitable only for formal occasions,” she continued.

Furthermore, this movement was initiated by KOWANI under the leadership of Nannie Hadi Tjahjanto as part of strategic efforts to strengthen the position of the kebaya in the ongoing process of proposing its recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

KOWANI acts as a driving force, consistently promoting the importance of protecting cultural heritage to ensure these traditions are preserved and passed down to future generations.

“By encouraging active public participation through inclusive and enjoyable activities such as this fun walk, we hope that collective awareness regarding the importance of safeguarding our national treasures will continue to grow and take root deeply in the hearts of all Indonesian women,” she added.

As an organization that represents women across the nation, KOWANI remains committed to standing at the forefront of efforts to uphold the dignity and status of women. These efforts are carried out through programs focused on economic empowerment, education, and the preservation of noble cultural values.

“Through the spirit of collaboration seen in this event, KOWANI is confident that the values championed by Kartini will continue to live on, inspiring Indonesian women as they proudly preserve their own culture,” she concluded.

Reported from various media sources //photo from Google documents // contribution by Prime News Post international online media // news.paper
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