HALA AL-HASHIDI

Yemen- Women selling vegetables in the markets of Taiz, a city in southwestern Yemen, are happy to earn a living for their families despite the physical and psychological challenges faced by them.

Sahar Muhammad,19, is one of them. “I have a family of eight and the only man in my family is my father and he faces difficulties in earning a living for our family due to deteriorating economic conditions. I sell vegetables and fruits in the market to support my family. Even though we are sometimes subjected to harassment, we have to endure all the difficulties we face.  With the arrival of Ramadan, there is an increase in prices of food. The price hikes affect everyone, including us. Despite everything, we are happy to earn a living for our families.”

 ‘Women look for job’

The ongoing war and conflict affect our lives, said Aseel Saif, one of the female vendors selling vegetables in the markets of Taiz. “Due to the deteriorating reality of war and the difficult living conditions faced by us, women look for a job to earn a living for their families. Women, who do not have a breadwinner, are forced to look for a job to earn a living for themselves and their children despite poor working conditions. They sell bread, vegetables and fruits in the markets.”

They want security and stability

Many women have to sell vegetables, fruits or other products in the markets since they lost social support, said Sonia Saif. “As women, we have to work to earn a living for our families despite all the challenges. Women struggle to survive by selling their products in the markets.”