The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Reog Ponorogo Cultural Tourism: An Analysis of Women’s Involvement as Cultural Practitioners and the Promotion of Gender Equality

Abstract

The recognition of Reog Ponorogo as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by UNESCO in 2024 underscores the importance of Reog as a cultural identity and tourist attraction; however, conservation efforts at the local level have not yet been fully gender-inclusive. There is a gap between the demand for women’s participation in cultural preservation and the practice of Reog tourism, which remains male-dominated; consequently, women’s roles have not been optimally integrated into the management and economic utilization of cultural tourism.

This study aims to analyze the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in developing Reog Ponorogo cultural tourism through the involvement of women as cultural practitioners and the promotion of gender equality. Using a qualitative approach through literature review and conceptual analysis, the results indicate that CSR has the potential to serve as a strategic instrument to bridge cultural preservation and gender equality; however, its implementation remains limited and lacks gender sensitivity. The implications of this study emphasize the need for structured and inclusive CSR programs to strengthen the sustainability of Reog Ponorogo while improving the well-being of local communities.