Entrepreneurs Associate (EA) under its project ‘Uplifting Women Street Vendors in Nagaland’- felicitated 58 women street vendors at the felicitation and mentoring programme held at Red Cross Complex here on October 21.
The vendors were felicitated for achieving and saving a target of Rs. 10,000 within a specific period.
Chairperson, Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB), Bano Chishi graced the programme as the key speaker.
Entrepreneurs Associate (EA) advisor, Neikule Doulo in her introductory speech recalled how women vendors were helping the farmers in the village who were not accessible to the market.
Doulo also highlighted the problem of transportation costs for the vendors to markets their goods, and said the initiative will continue to work for the vendors to make them aware of their rights and privileges.
Bano thanked the vendors for providing vegetables and food to the people and encouraged the vendors to be brave and confident and not to think of their work as small because it was due to their hard work that the people were able to eat.
On economic empowerment, Bano advised the women to focus on saving more than spending on one’s wants.
Pointing out that financial stability of a family depends on a women’s management, she advised them to attend trainings and never stop learning.
NSSWB assistant state coordinator, R. Juliana Medom read out the schemes and projects under NSSWB.
She educated the vendors about the free helpline 181 for vendors which included domestic violence. A documentary “Racing against the Sun” was also screened during the event which captured the struggles of women vendors in Phek, who have to race before sunrise to transport their vegetables to Dimapur.
It may be noted that EA’s initiative was developed in 2017 to support women vendors in Nagaland for better access to their rights, and educating them on basic skills on business, health and finances. Since its inception, the project has partnered with varied organisations to train and provide awareness on business skills, health & hygiene and legal rights.