Bali, 2 May 2024 – The 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific is officially opened by the Director for Regional Asia and the Pacific, Director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UN Tourism, at Bali International Convention Center (BICC) Bali, on Thursday (2/5/2024).

A gong (traditional music instrument) struck by the Director of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UN Tourism, Harry Hwang; the Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Deputy Head of Tourism and Creative Economy, Angela Tanoesoedibjo; the Union Minister of Hotels and Tourism Myanmar, Thet Thet Khine; the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism Maldives, Mariyam Nasheetha Nasheed; and the Regional Secretary of Bali Province, Dewa Made Indra; marked the opening of the 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific.

In his remarks, Harry Hwang appreciated the readiness of Indonesia, particularly the Bali Province, in organizing the 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific in Bali on 2-4 May 2024.

“Thank you Vice Minister Angela and the MOTCE for supporting your tourism and creative economy activities and programs. Particularly, for the support and commitment in empowering women through tourism,” Harry said.

The Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Deputy Head of Tourism and Creative Economy, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, when delivering her welcoming remarks at the 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific at Bali International Convention Center (BICC) Bali on Thursday (2/5/2024), shared the story of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a popular Indonesian heroine.

Her figure is a female hero who has contributed significantly to fighting for women’s emancipation in Indonesia.

“Ten days ago, on 21 April, Indonesia celebrated Kartini Day to honor one of the most influential woman figures in the history of Indonesia. She is also a symbol of women’s rights and gender equality,” according to Vice Minister Angela.

Angela said that when Kartini was 12 years old, she was secluded at home to prepare for her wedding. During the exile, Kartini continued to study independently and secretly developed her interest in Western political and feminist reading.

She did this to change women’s fate and future to become equal. She wanted women to have the opportunity for education because, according to Kartini, women are crucial figures in helping the nation’s civilization.

“There’s a famous quote from Ibu Kartini that I like to share with you here. She said, ‘Until whenever the progress of women will be a crucial factor in the nation’s civilization’,” she added.

According to her, women’s empowerment is no longer about achieving equality and human rights. Yet, empowering women can result in economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that narrowing the general gap in the labor market could increase GDP in emerging market countries by 8 percent.

Meanwhile, the benefits of reducing the gender gap will be even greater as it will increase GDP in those countries by an average of 23 percent.

“Research also shows that empowering women equals better climate solutions with their important role in managing, preserving, and utilizing natural resources. It also reduces poverty levels and food insecurity, as well as improves family welfare for safer and healthier communities, and of course, the country,” she continued.

Vice Minister Angela also said that Indonesia is ranked 87th in the global gender gap, and according to Global Gender Gap research in 2022, Indonesia has only achieved 69.7 percent gender equality. This figure still needs to increase as an effort to move towards gender equality.

One of them is by increasing women’s participation and empowerment in the tourism sector.

“Tourism is said to be one of the answers to the gender inequality gap because of the many opportunities provided, allowing women to participate in this sector. And in many parts of the world, including Indonesia, women make up a large portion of the tourism and entrepreneurial workforce, even in education,” Angela explained.

Even though women participated in education and employment, according to Angela, they tend to work in lower quality and more informal jobs.

Women are also underrepresented in strategic and leadership roles. Even when men and women have the same roles and responsibilities, statistics show that the gender pay gap still exists.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Angela explained the role of women in Indonesian MSMEs.

Indonesian MSMEs contribute 97 percent of employment. They also contribute to 61 percent of Indonesian GDP. And 64 percent of women are MSME owners.

“Unfortunately, most of them are still unable to increase their business scale and stay at the micro level business,” she continued.

She expected the 2nd UN Tourism Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism to become a momentum to strengthen women’s role and gender equality in the tourism and creative economy sectors.

“Most importantly, learn dialog to become real action and create progress in the tourism sector to empower women. I believe that reducing the gender gap can only happen once we have advocacy at the highest level, and there are serious efforts to make it happen because the story of Ibu Kartini teaches us that the gender inequality issue is deeply rooted in social and power structures,” Angela said.

Present with Vice Minister Angela were the echelon I and II officials within the MOTCE.