Institut KAPAL Perempuan or Women’s Alternative Education Circle was established in Jakarta on 8 March 2000. The goal of the founders of KAPAL Perempuan was to promote “a strong women’s movement to accelerate the creation of a society that has the power of critical thinking, solidarity, gender justice, pluralism, transparency and anti-violence."
The use of the acronym of KAPAL (“kapal” means “ship”) is meant to reflect the fact that Indonesia is a maritime country, although during the New Order era, Suharto defined Indonesia as an agrarian country. KAPAL is also an important symbol of transportation in the maritime area to connect from island to island so that nothing is left behind. Therefore, KAPAL Perempuan also has the meaning of a vehicle for women from island to island, lifting up those who have been marginalised.
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