Struggles and Resilience of Women Vendors at Saipark Weekly Market:


Photo on 13 May 2024 at Sai park Market.

 

The photos above depict Sakku Bai, a dedicated vendor at the Saipark Weekly Market, who has been vending for last five years. These women vendors, including Sakku Bai, face immense struggles and work tirelessly, earning a meager daily income of only Rs 100 to Rs 200.

Daily Struggles and Discrimination

Sakku Bai and her fellow vendors set up their stalls beside the bustling Sai Park Road, which remains busy until late at night. Every Monday, this market operates from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Vijayapura. Women vendors arrive early in the morning and sit for 8 to 9 hours, working hard to sell their commodities. The market is located 8 kilometers from the city center, on the outskirts of Vijayapura.

These women travel from various parts of Vijayapura city, usually by auto rickshaw, to reach the market on Mondays. Despite their hard work, they often face gender discrimination and harassment from authorities, making it even harder to sell their commodities from morning to evening.

Supporting Their Families

During our conversation with Sakku Bai, she shared that the lack of basic amenities significantly impacts their lives despite her efforts to support her family alongside her husband. Her daily income, though meager, is crucial for fulfilling her family's needs. She emphasized all vendors' urgent need for public toilets and drinking water facilities. Sitting for long hours without proper sanitation leads to serious health issues, such as urinary tract infections. Despite raising these concerns to the City Municipal Council (CMC) over an extended period, no action has been taken to address their plight.

These women vendors' daily struggles, hard work, and limited income highlight the need for improved conditions and support for their livelihoods. The challenges they face, including discrimination and the difficulty of selling leftover commodities in the evening, further underscore the resilience and determination of these women in supporting their families.

  

Comments

  1. Amjad ManiyarJune 12, 2024 at 8:02 PM

    yes the issues of basic amenities should be addressed for women vendors convenience at the vending zones.

    ReplyDelete

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