Entering 2025, the 97th Mother’s Day Commemoration carries a central theme from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA): “Empowered and Productive Women, Towards Indonesia Emas 2045.” This theme asserts that the roles of mothers and women are no longer confined to the domestic sphere but have become strategic pillars in national development characterized by integrity.

In an academic scope, the role of a mother is no longer viewed solely through a domestic lens. Instead, it has transformed into a pillar of spiritual and intellectual strength that supports the resilience of the younger generation. Through the implementation of noble values (Budi Luhur) and character building, mothers provide a tangible contribution to national development, as a child’s education fundamentally begins within the family environment that nurtures them.

In shaping the nation's children, "educating with the heart" is an approach that prioritizes empathy, compassion, and role modeling as primary instruments for character formation. Amidst digital disruption and global moral challenges, the mother’s role as the primary educator has become increasingly vital. Educating with the heart does not imply a lack of firmness; rather, it applies a parenting style that emphasizes emotional and spiritual intelligence. This approach is highly relevant in preparing a future generation that possesses high resilience, emotional management skills, and personal integrity.

Beyond being a family figure who provides emotional education to their children, empowered women also exercise autonomy over themselves and contribute positively to their surroundings. A mother’s spirit of productivity is currently reflected not only through professional careers but also through creativity in household management, community empowerment, and involvement in the MSME sector—the backbone of the national economy.

Women’s empowerment has a linear correlation with the quality of parenting. A mother who is intellectually and economically empowered tends to have better nutritional and educational literacy, directly contributing to the reduction of stunting rates and the improvement of children’s health. Thus, a woman’s passion for work and creation is a form of sincere dedication to family resilience and national sovereignty.

The Indonesia Emas 2045 vision demands a generation that is not only academically superior but also possesses integrity, work ethics, and a spirit of nationalism. This is where the synergy between a woman’s domestic and public roles meets. As guides for the next generation, mothers bear the significant responsibility of "character engineering" from an early age. This guiding process involves instilling values such as honesty, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and independence. 

In the narrative of national development, women are positioned as agents of change. When women are empowered and productive, they transfer the values of independence and hard work to their children through the observation of daily behavior.

The 97th Mother’s Day must serve as a momentum for all stakeholders to strengthen the ecosystem that supports women’s empowerment. Gender-responsive public policies, protection against violence, and the provision of mother-and-child-friendly public facilities are absolute prerequisites for women to work optimally without abandoning their responsibility to educate the next generation.

In conclusion, the theme “Empowered and Productive Women, Towards Indonesia Emas 2045” is a call to action. Educating with the heart is the method, empowerment is the strength, and Indonesia Emas is the goal. By positioning women as equal subjects of development, we are laying the foundation for the nation's glory in the next two decades. Happy 97th Mother’s Day; long live Indonesian women, long live the nation.