ZOUHOUR MECHRGUI

Tunisia- the Tunisian Ministry of Women, Family, Childhood, and Seniors held an exhibition in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, for women micro-entrepreneurs to display their modern and innovative products.

Latifa Al-Saedani, a young craftswoman who displayed her pottery products at the exhibition, told us that she loves her profession.

“After the UNESCO added the Sejnane pottery in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, our pottery products have been known all around the world. I learned how to make pottery from my mother and then being professional in making pottery products. I have participated in all national and international exhibitions to display my products. As a young craftswoman, I face many difficulties, especially in finding support and in obtaining raw materials. The Covid-19 pandemic outbreak has worsened the situation of the women of Sejnane and its rural areas. We have also faced difficulties in promoting and marketing our products due to the difficult economic conditions in Tunisia. The women of Sejnane make the Sejnane pottery be known all around the world but they do not see an improvement in their social status.”

The new generation is not interested in making pottery

Hadda Al-Saeedani, fears that the Sejnane pottery would one day disappear due to the lack of necessary support from the state and the indifferent policy of the Ministry of Women, Family, Childhood, and Seniors towards them. Underlining that the new generation is not interested in making pottery, she said that she tries to encourage young people to make pottery.

Mariam Al-Soufi, a plastic artist specializing in assemblage art, told us that she had received an invitation from the International Organization for Migration in Tunisia to display her paintings in the exhibition. Speaking about her paintings, she said, “I use experiences in my paintings and old materials such as headscarves used in daily life in my artworks. I try to give a message of peace through my paintings.”

She works on alternative medicine

Awatef Oueslati, the founder of the “Rozan” brand, produces natural cosmetics and medicines. “I have provided job opportunities for women who are fond of this field. My love for producing natural medicines stems from my love for nature and the riches of Tunisia. The prices of my medicines and cosmetics are affordable for everyone. I call on the state, NGOs, and development agencies to support women. Even though I am fighting alone and with limited means, I continue to make products that do not harm nature and consumers. I try to sell my products to other countries.

Dora Bushdach, a representative of the GOMYCODE Foundation specialized in digital marketing, stated that the foundation has provided a training course for women to help them in how to market their products by using their mobile phones. “We will continue to support women micro-entrepreneurs,” she said.

In 2018, the Sejnane pottery was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. There are about 440 registered craftswomen in the region.