A troubling and illegal trend is gaining attention in Indonesia, where women in several villages are engaging in temporary marriages with male tourists in exchange for financial compensation, commonly referred to as “pleasure marriage.” This practice, fueled by economic hardship, has sparked widespread concern and condemnation online.
A Growing Industry
According to the Los Angeles Times, pleasure marriages have evolved into a thriving industry, benefiting both tourism and local economies. Yayan Sopyan, a professor of Islamic family law at Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University in Jakarta, noted that many village women are resorting to this practice due to limited economic opportunities. “We see now this practice is expanding,” Sopyan stated. “Tourism meets this economic need.”
In the past, families would pressure young women into these arrangements, but the emergence of brokers and agencies has now institutionalized the practice, making it more systematic.
The Story of Cahaya: A Temporary Bride
Cahaya (name changed), who spoke with the LA Times, shared her experiences of being involved in this practice since the age of 17. Her first marriage was with a man in his 50s from Saudi Arabia, for which she received a dowry of $850. Over the years, she has entered into 15 temporary marriages. At the age of 13, her grandparents encouraged her to participate when a male tourist sought a temporary bride.
Cahaya’s circumstances worsened when one of her temporary husbands took her to Saudi Arabia. He offered her a dowry of $2,000, with her share being $1,300 and a monthly allowance of $500. However, once in the Middle East, he subjected her to physical abuse and forced labor, treating her more like a slave than a wife. Despite multiple attempts to escape, she was unsuccessful until she sought help from Budi Priana, the man who initially introduced her to the broker.
Budi Priana’s intervention eventually led to her return home, but not before she faced a traumatic experience, including a suicide attempt that expedited her case with the embassy.
Budi Priana: A Liaison, Not a Broker
Budi Priana, speaking to the LA Times, insisted that he is not a broker but acts as a liaison between women seeking jobs and tourists interested in temporary marriages for a fee. He emphasized that his primary sources of income come from driving, running an internet café, interpreting, and selling frozen meatballs.
“There are always new girls contacting me looking for contract marriages, but I tell them I’m not an agent,” he explained, highlighting the desperation many women feel amid worsening economic conditions.
Legal and Social Implications
While contract marriages, including pleasure marriages, are technically illegal under Indonesian law, enforcement of these laws is lax. As a result, the phenomenon has become an underground industry, reflecting deep-rooted economic challenges faced by these women.
Importantly, pleasure marriages are not solely about sexual relations; there are instances where tourists seek temporary brides for domestic work, as was the case for Cahaya during her first marriage.
The plight of women like Cahaya highlights the urgent need for comprehensive legal and social reforms to address economic disparities and protect vulnerable populations in Indonesia.
