Dimapur, Nov. 27 (EMN): With the objective of reaching out to women vendors in Pfutsero town of the Phek sistrict, Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) in partnership with the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society (CWWS) organised a daylong workshop on Nov. 26. The programme is a continuation of the “uplifting women street vendors,” a project being undertaken by EA.
The event which was held at Mission Centre, headquarter of the Chakhesang Baptist Churches Council began with a devotional session which addressed issues concerning women.
Addressing the gathering, secretary CWWS, Vechulou Kanuo encouraged the womenfolk to give their best stating that “the Bible also clearly tells us that we need to work and earn our bread”. She also informed that they formed a very important link in the economic chain of the state.
Reiterating the importance of the women vendors who are the guardians of the indigenous economy, master franchisee, Aloha Mental Arithmetic, Neikule Doulo impressed upon the participants on their contributions to the local trading scene.
The fact that they are creating value in the local produces which they mostly source from the remotest sections of the society implies their immense contributions to the livelihood of many rural people, she said.
Highlighting the dire need for Nagas to get more involved in entrepreneurial activities, Doulo encouraged the women to be the torch bearers in their families and society. Since they are self employed and do not receive monthly salaries, she advised that they should “pay themselves every day or month in the form of keeping aside some amount as savings”.
A detailed input on the need to save and why they should take it up was provided by branch manager EA, Phek, Welhikro Mero. He also introduced the various thrift programmes available under EA’s cooperative wing, EATACOL and encouraged them to participate in some of them.
About 60 women vendors from different marketing areas of the town participated is said to have attended the in the first phase of the initiative at Pftusero.
During the programme, many of them shared this was their first time in such a programme which has thrown light to a new perspective of their work. Some of the women vendors also pledged to begin the process of keeping some money aside regularly for their future.
During the interaction, vendors also highlighted difficulties faced by them regularly as they work under the harshest of working conditions. Absence of toilets and basic amenities like water supply in and around their work place are main problems for those who sell around the town.
Women who were also involved in transporting their goods to Kohima and Dimapur shared their grievances such as lack of good public transport system, taxes from municipal committees and various groups.Therefore, they suggested that the state machinery and organisations working in the development sector should take stock of their problems and come up with some positive measures to help them.
“The EA’s project is conceptualised to reach out to the last mile individuals involved in bridging the rural village economies with the urban centres. EA has therefore undertaken this novel initiative of connecting with women vendors who form a large section of the local workforce to understand their plight while also training them on financial literacy and management, provide credit linkages, inform them about their legal rights and link them to health care providers to alleviate their living standards” the release informed.”
