Just two weeks before the Kartini Day commemoration on April 21, 2026, the waters of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara witnessed a significant move for women’s empowerment in the maritime sector. There, two female diving instructors from the Indonesian Professional Women Divers Community (KP3I), Mimi Amilia and dr. Imelda Donosepoetro, led a safety training as part of the finale for the DAN Diving Safety 1000 Initiative. This step was not merely a technical training, but a powerful symbol that in an industry often dominated by men, women are capable of taking control of the most crucial aspect: saving lives.
The program, which has been running since 2023, focuses on First Aid Responder and Basic Life Support (BLS) through a collaboration between KP3I, NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), Divers Alert Network (DAN), and the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. Throughout its journey, the initiative has trained more than 1,000 participants across various marine tourism destinations in the archipelago, from the Thousand Islands in Jakarta, the Anyer-Merak area in Banten, Manado, and Ternate, to popular diving spots in Bali such as Sanur, Amed, Tulamben, Pemuteran, and Nusa Penida. In Labuan Bajo, dive guides and tour operators received concrete support in the form of 1,000 First Aid Kits to ensure every industry player is prepared for first aid at their respective workplaces.
The presence of key figures at the opening of the activity emphasized that safety has now become a strategic national agenda. This cross-sector support was represented by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, BPOLBF, and global partners like the CEO of DAN, Cliff Richardson. The synergy between the government, global organizations, and local communities is the main foundation for creating a professional and safe marine tourism ecosystem for tourists.
Mimi Amilia emphasized that safety certification is not just about meeting formal standards, but an added value that builds global trust in the reputation of Indonesia’s tourist destinations. For her, the momentum of April is a call to continue moving in the spirit of R.A. Kartini in fighting for access to education and equality in the modern era. By involving women as leaders in the technical aspects of safety, KP3I wants to show that the role of women in the maritime sector is crucial and has a direct impact on sustainable tourism growth.
This struggle will continue in the capital through KP3I’s participation in the Marine Action Expo to be held on April 24-26 at Balai Kartini, Jakarta. The choice of this exhibition venue carries strong symbolic meaning, connecting the historical roots of women’s struggle with the challenges of today’s marine industry. In the event, KP3I will showcase various initiatives ranging from safety education to marine conservation efforts, while inviting all stakeholders to collaborate in creating a maritime industry that is more inclusive for all parties. Through this series of activities, Indonesian women prove that they are not just participants, but the main drivers in maintaining the safety and sustainability of the archipelago’s seas.
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