More women-only markets demanded in Mazar-i-Sharif

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Female traders at the Rabia Balkhi Women’s Market in northern Balkh province are satisfied with their businesses and are calling for the construction of another similar bazaar.

Currently, there are two dedicated markets for female traders in Mazar-i-Sharif, Khadija al-Kubra and Rabia Balkhi, where around 600 women are doing business.

Nahidi Razzaqi, head of the Rabia Balkhi Women’s Market, told Pajhwok Afghan News the market had 75 shops, with two and six women working in each. She put the number of female shopkeepers at about 300.

She explained the women in the market were engaged in tailoring, handicrafts, oil production, carpet weaving, running restaurants and baking. The market is thriving with content traders.

Razzaqi added many women still visited the market looking to rent space for shops, but the souk lacks space and facilities to accommodate additional vendors.

She underlined the need for another similar market in Mazar-i-Sharif. As the number of female traders and workers continued to rise, the available space was limited to the two markets, she said.

Female shopkeepers in the market also expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity, saying their businesses were flourishing and support their families financially.

Najiba Khali, a woman who runs a small restaurant in the market and prepares various types of food along with her two daughters and an apprentice, is content with her job.

She said women in this market work in a safe environment. She urged the caretaker government to build similar markets for other women.

Another shopkeeper, Marzila Nabawi, also called on the aithorities to establish more markets of the kind to support female traders and entrepreneurs.

Nabawi stressed if women became self-sufficient and gained the ability to support their families alongside men, it would directly contribute to the prosperity of society.

Meanwhile, Balkh Department of Industry and Commerce officials assured female traders of continued support and cooperation.

Nasir Ahmad Niazi, deputy head of the Department of Industry and Commerce, confirmed there were currently two special markets for female traders in Mazar-i-Sharif, with approximately 300 women working in each.

He revealed local officials planned to establish a third market in the 10th district of Mazar-i-Sharif to provide more facilities for women.

The Rabia Balkhi Women’s Market has been operational for over a decade. Initially, it was managed by the Department of Women’s Affairs, but its oversight and management has now switched to the municipality and the Department of Industry and Commerce.

sa/mud