Women leaders fight against abuse of women

Women leaders fight against abuse of women

JAKARTA (JP): Women leaders are launching a campaign against the widespread use of women as a tourist attraction.

Wiwiek Sudjono, organizer of the 15th Convention of the Federation of Asian Women's Associations, said the fight against the practice of making women a selling point for tourism will be on the convention's agenda.

With the theme of "the role of Asian women in the development of the tourism industry", the convention will be opened on Friday by First Lady Tien Soeharto at Merdeka Palace.

"It's really not right for tourists to visit tourism sites only because they are fascinated by the women," Wiwiek said.

"Indonesian women can help in this campaign to dispel the tradition of using women as tourist attractions, because this is really one of the biggest problems that women have to face today," she said.

"Without the participation of Indonesian women, this campaign will not succeed," Wiwiek said.

The convention will hear from Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Joop Ave. Some 70 participants from 13 countries will attend and discuss ways to reduce the adverse impacts of tourism, especially on women, and on how women can contribute to the industry.

These countries are Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand and the United States.

Roosmini Emil Salim, who is vice chairperson of the convention's organizing committee, described how women are being degraded by the common practice of selling tourism with women as the lure.

"Both foreign and domestic tourists go to Indonesian tourist resorts and the first thing they ask for is a woman," she said.

"It's no secret that in some places, such as in hotels in the tourist resorts, women are treated as objects," Roosmini said.

She pointed out that women can contribute to the tourism industry by, among other things, making local handicrafts and developing local arts and culture.

Among the topics chosen are "the tourism industry for economic development and peace", "tourism and the environment", and "tourism and socio-cultural development".

The convention participants will also be treated to a trip to scenic Bukittinggi in South Sumatra. (31)