5 Shocking Facts About Indonesian Women Trapped in Exploitative ‘Pleasure Marriages’

A disturbing practice taking place in certain Indonesian villages has drawn widespread condemnation online. Women from impoverished backgrounds, particularly in Puncak, West Indonesia, are reportedly being exploited in temporary marriages with foreign tourists. This controversial and exploitative trend, dubbed “pleasure marriages,” sees young women marrying male tourists, primarily from the Middle East, in exchange for money. The arrangements are made through agencies operating in the scenic mountain resort of Kota Bunga, where these marriages have become disturbingly common.

The Exploitative Arrangement

The practice involves agencies facilitating introductions between male tourists and local women, with an informal, quick wedding ceremony often taking place shortly after. Upon agreement, the man pays a bride price to the woman, who in return provides sexual and domestic services during the tourist’s stay. When the tourist leaves, the marriage is promptly dissolved.

According to a South China Morning Post report, these so-called marriages are not recognized by Indonesian law and have no legal standing. Yet they persist, largely because of the desperate financial situations many of the women involved face. The growing number of agencies now profiting from this system has institutionalized what was once informal, family-arranged agreements into a full-fledged industry.

A Harrowing Reality for Women

The plight of women trapped in this exploitative cycle is heartbreaking. Cahaya, a young Indonesian woman, shared her story with the Los Angeles Times, revealing that she has been married more than 15 times to Middle Eastern tourists. Her first “husband,” a 50-year-old man from Saudi Arabia, paid her a bride price of $850, which was equivalent to about 71,000 rupees. However, after agents and local officials took their share, Cahaya only received half of the payment. The marriage lasted for just five days, after which her husband returned home, and they were immediately divorced.

Cahaya revealed that she typically earns between $300 and $500 per marriage, barely enough to cover her living expenses, including rent and care for her ailing grandparents. The money is insufficient to escape poverty, trapping her in a vicious cycle of temporary marriages, exploitation, and financial instability.

Another woman, Nisa, shared a similarly tragic story. Nisa finally escaped the cycle after participating in at least 20 temporary marriages. She met an Indonesian immigration officer, married him, and started a new life with their two sons. Her story is one of the few hopeful examples to emerge from this troubling trend, as she vowed never to return to her past.

Nikah Mut’ah: A Misused Practice

These temporary marriages, often referred to as “nikah mut’ah,” have roots in Shia Islam. In specific contexts, they allow for temporary unions, but the majority of Islamic scholars condemn the practice, labeling it unacceptable. In Indonesia, a predominantly Sunni country, nikah mut’ah holds no legal standing. More importantly, the religious rationale behind these marriages has been distorted by exploitative practices that cater to the desires of wealthy foreign tourists while taking advantage of local women’s vulnerabilities.

The involvement of agencies in facilitating these arrangements has escalated the problem, creating an entire industry around the exploitation of poverty-stricken women. The agencies not only take a significant portion of the money paid by the tourists but also shield themselves from legal repercussions by framing these marriages as consensual, albeit temporary, agreements.

Public Outcry and Legal Concerns

Critics have denounced the practice as a form of human trafficking and sex tourism, which exploits Indonesia’s poorest communities. The growing outrage, both within Indonesia and globally, has spurred calls for government intervention. However, as of now, little has been done to dismantle the industry or provide sufficient legal protection for the women involved.

Women’s rights groups have highlighted the dangerous consequences of these temporary marriages, which leave women without legal rights, social protections, or even basic recognition as married individuals under Indonesian law. Without legal safeguards, these women face not only exploitation but also stigmatization and long-term social and economic hardships.

A Call for Change

This troubling practice underscores the urgent need for stronger legal frameworks to protect vulnerable women in Indonesia. Critics argue that without stricter regulations and enforcement, the tourism industry in places like Puncak will continue to enable the exploitation of local women. More significant efforts are needed to address the underlying issue of poverty that drives many women into these exploitative arrangements.

As the international community grows more aware of the situation, both local authorities and global organizations must step in to put an end to this damaging practice. Women like Cahaya and Nisa should not have to endure such cycles of exploitation to survive. Ending the practice of “pleasure marriages” is not just a matter of law—it is a matter of human dignity and basic rights.