Nagaland women vendors observe International Street Vendors Day

Farmers market at Kohima during ISVD 2019 on November 14. (Photo Courtesy: NEN)

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 14 (MExN): On the occasion of the International Street Vendors Day, which is observed on November 14, North East Network (NEN) and Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Nagaland organised a series of events in Kohima, Phek and Dimapur Towns. 

A press statement issued by NEN said Wekoweu Tsuhah, NEN in her welcome and introductions address at a Farmers’ Market in Phek Town highlighted that ISVD was observed with the objective to call the attention of diverse stakeholders to the contribution of street vendors and the issues they face. She pointed that street vendors play an important role in the food distribution system, not only help link the producers to consumers but also support the livelihoods of many others. 

In Dimapur, SEWA and NEN collaborated with Sisterhood Network and Business Association of Nagaland (BAN) and organised a public meeting where 65 participants attended. Members of SEWA and vendors –Bendang, Rita Ghosh and Meyisangla shared numerous challenges they faced in their workplace, such as insecure vending spaces, deplorable road conditions, traffic congestion, and garbage mismanagement leading to ill-health.

Albert Ezung, Administrator, DMC encouraged the vendors to be aware of their identity as workers and about their rights. He assured his support to address issues of waste management and to expedite the constitution of Town Vending Committee under the Nagaland Street Vendors Act 2019. 

Vitho Zao, President, BAN acknowledged the contribution of women vendors in sustaining the local food systems. He encouraged them to practice fair trade and be polite in their dealings with the consumers. 

Azungla James, Sisterhood Network, reminded the women vendors that they have responsibilities just as they have rights. She pointed that one should adhere to rules and regulations if we aspire to have a decent city. She further called on the local authorities to recognise the experiences of women vendors which is vital in urban planning, and to include them in decision making processes. 

At Phek and Kohima, Farmers’ Markets were organised, in which 90 and 72 women farmer-vendors participated. An array of diverse, local and organic vegetables, fruits, wild edibles, pulses, etc were sold. Nutrient-rich grains such as millets, in the form of snacks and cakes were promoted through taste demonstration and sales in Phek. 

Tsuktimar Jamir, ADC in his inaugural address at the Phek Farmers’ Market acknowledged that local, natural and organic food are rich sources of vitamins and appreciated the producer-vendors for making local food available to urban consumers.

He informed that a new market structure has been built to accommodate the vendors in Phek Town, which will become functional very soon. He further encouraged the producer-vendors to interact and collaborate with various Government departments to build their knowledge and skills. In Kohima the International Street Vendors Day 2019 was observed at PHQ Junction. 

In all the 3 locations, representatives of SEWA, many of whom are street vendors, submitted a memorandum to the Government of Nagaland, appealing the concerned authority to expedite the implementation of the Nagaland Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2019.