Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) organized the dissemination activity of guidelines for women-friendly tourism villages in Medan, North Sumatra. This initiative aims to provide education and enhance women’s role in developing tourism villages safely and comfortably.
Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, revealed that 54.22% of the workforce in the tourism sector is women, while 56.62% is in the creative economy sector. This includes micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 64.5% of which are managed by women.
“Data compiled by the Kemenparekraf Data Center in 2023 shows that women play a very significant role in this sector,” said Ni Wayan Giri during the opening of the dissemination of guidelines for women-friendly tourism villages, which took place at Adimulia Hotel, Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday (10/08).
However, female workers in the tourism and creative economy sectors still face challenges related to safety and comfort. Female tourists also share similar concerns when traveling.
Ni Wayan Giri emphasized that the Ministry is committed to implementing gender mainstreaming policies in national development, in line with the mandate of Presidential Instruction No. 9 of 2000. Gender mainstreaming aims to achieve gender equality to create fair and equitable development for all citizens of Indonesia while also ensuring a sense of safety and comfort for female tourists and workers.
Gender equality is also vital to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A concrete example of this commitment is the close collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, and the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. Together, they developed the guidelines for women-friendly tourism villages on August 31, 2024.
The women-friendly tourism village guidelines serve as a reference for developing tourist destinations and infrastructure that cater to the needs of female tourists and businesswomen. Ni Wayan Giri expressed her hope that through these guidelines, women can actively participate in improving tourism services and experiences, allowing female entrepreneurs and tourists to feel safe and comfortable, making their visit to tourism villages an unforgettable experience.
“North Sumatra is committed to implementing the women-friendly tourism village guidelines in one or two regional tourism villages,” Ni Wayan Giri concluded.
