Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): The plight of women vendors on the streets of Nagaland is often a neglected issue and their concerns continue to be forgotten and not taken seriously. Nonetheless, they form an integral part of the local economy dotting streets and public paths. Though viewed as “public nuisances on busy streets and spaces,” they are ensuring our local presence in the market places.
Understanding this need to organise and empower them, Entrepreneurs Associates organised a workshop on ‘Uplifting Women Street Vendors - Dimapur Chapter’ on March 27 at their Training Centre, Darogapathar. Some 30 women vendors attended the training to discuss issues and problems that ail this sector.
Encouraging the vendors to believe in the importance of their profession, Neikule Doulo, Master Franchisee, Aloha Mental Arithmetic shared that there are over 10 million street vendors in India. She emphasised that vendors need to take their work seriously and give serious consideration to how they can expand and grow.
Acknowledging the difficulties that are related to this profession she said that they need to save for their future and ensure that they pass on the message of “dignity of labour” even to their children and families, creating rippling changes. Touching upon the subject of ethical business, Neikule stressed “all businesses need to be honest in their dealings so that they can win the trust of people around them and earn regular customers.”
Perceiving the need to train them on better customer service to invigorate their businesses, Susan Ela James, Lead Trainer of EA shared some tips about how to win customers. Susan elaborated the need of providing better services which is the only win to make businesses grow. She suggested that a smile can even go a long way to win over people who can then be roped into relationships that can go a long way to gain benefits in the future.
Interactive sessions were led by Temsurenla and Michelle Hesso to facilitate in depth understanding of this segment. The program is an initiative undertaken by EA to reach out, connect and empower women street vendors across the state of Nagaland.
It may be mentioned here that similar training sessions have been conducted in Kohima and Pfutsero Town.
The Entrepreneurs Associates in a press release stated that the interactions with the street vendors of the past months have brought to fore the problems that the women face regularly as a part of their profession. Absence of proper toilet facilities, unregulated taxations or even governing mechanisms, stiff competition from non-local vendors, no proper storage facilities to store perishable wares were some of the issues highlighted by them.
Entrepreneurs Associates aims to conduct a follow–up program for these women with policy makers, law enforcers and even medical professionals to assist them to solve their own problems and enable them to move ahead in society.
