Women traders urged to demand their rights

Women traders have been challenged to know and demand their rights in market places so that they can overcome problems they encounter.

Executive Director of Dar es Salaam based Equality for Growth (EfG) Jane Magigita, made the call recently in the city during a leadership seminar for women business groups from Gezaulole, Kigogo Sambusa, Kigogo Fresh, Buguruni, and Kibasila markets.

The Seminar is part of the implementation of a project dubbed the “Voice of Women in Market” which is being implemented in 18 markets in Ilala Municipal by EfG.

“EfG do not provide solutions to problems facing women in markets; instead, we empower and give them techniques on how to discuss with their leaders the proper way to address challenges facing them,” said Magigita.

Magigita said that the challenges facing women in markets are almost the same but differ in priorities.

She gave an example of Buguruni market where she said women were complaining of the market of their sellings being invaded by people who are not authorised at the area, also sell their goods at the market without paying taxes.

She also gave an example of food vendors saying their market have been invaded by people who come with foods packed in containers during lunch time and sell them to people in the market thus affecting their business.

Magigita said that other market traders complained of poor infrastructures at the market places thus posing difficulties in arranging their commodities.

She said the training aimed at empowering women with leadership skills and building the potentials of women to exercise their rights.

She further said that the first training conducted in six markets has helped increase accountability of the market leaders and women became capable of questioning issues related to their welfare at the market.

The previous seminar which was conducted in August this year attracted over 55 leaders from six market locales in the Ilala municipality including, Ferry, Mchikichini, Ilala, Boma, Buguruni and Kisutu.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN