Muslim women mark International Women’s Day

Harsh economic times are driving many Muslim women out of the comfort of their homes
into small businesses and petty employment to supplement household incomes.

By Ethel Omenda

International women’s day celebrated on March 8 is set to appreciate ordinary women who are striving to make a living through descent means from political, economic and social aspects. This year’s theme: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures gave women the chance to celebrate
their achievements could not come at a better time.
In an effort to recognize and appreciate
Muslim women achievements in the face of hard economic times the country is
going through, Marhaba interviewed women who are striving to provide for and
supplement their families income through small businesses. These women’s effort
and determination in providing for their families is one of the key issues
highlighted on this day.
Despite being physically challenged, Aisha
Namagembe is one of these woman and she moved from Uganda to Kenya two years
ago. She is a determined woman struggling to provide the best for her children.
She seems to know what the international
women’s day entails but admits she has never celebrated it in Kenya unlike when
she was in Uganda. Due to the escalating inflation in East Africa, Aisha
struggles to rescue her family from poverty.
The 28 year old ventured into the business
of selling snacks near Jamia mosque in Nairobi. She has been selling heena,
mabuyu, achari, coconut, crisps and groundnuts from November last year.
Her snacks sell at between KSh10, 20 to 60.
The expensive of her goods is achale that goes for KSh60. Though she makes a
good profit of about KSh500 to 700 on a good day, the money is not enough for
her to expand her business.
“I provide for my three children aged
between eight and five years from the profits I get. I have not saved enough to
set up a big shop which I desire so much”, explains Aisha.
Having lost her husband at a young age, she
has assumed the role of being the bread winner for her family. She is full of
praise for her friend in Mombasa who introduced her to the business and taught
her the preparation process. Her customers who are men and women and not only
from the Muslim community; are very patient and polite to her.
This mother of three is helped by her
sister Miriam, Aisha is able to meet her customers’ demand which sometimes is
high.
Although she admits business is good so
far, she can’t deny she misses out on the profits on the sunflower which is
also the customers’ favorite. She hardly has enough money saved to make more,
so as to meet the demand.
Corrupt city council officers on patrol
have also hindered her business from prospering. “I cannot run like the others
so I am forced to give them the money to save my goods from being destroyed”,
laments Aisha
She draws her strength from the Quran,
which she says gives her much comfort. Aisha has skills in tailoring and her
hope is to save the little she gets so as to set up a bigger shop back in
Uganda.
The struggle for self employment,
independence and the need to assist in the provision of basic needs have also
driven Farhia Abdi to venture into the business of selling camel milk for the
past five years in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.
Camel’s milk, mostly cherished by residents
of North Eastern Kenya, and is now enjoying a renaissance in Nairobi. However
inflation has rendered the price of this precious commodity to drastically
shoot up from KSh60 to 120 per litre.
Every day Farhia joins other women sitting
and crowded under the scorching sun at Eastleigh’s fourth street. She has to be
at the bus terminus in the same area from as early as between seven and ten in
the morning to receive her milk orders. The orders for the next day have to be
made by noon the same day and the maximum order is six cans of twenty litres.
The demand for camel milk in the area is
high and she is proud to have educated her children and provided for the family
from the little profits she makes.
“I have two children in class four and five
and I paid their school fees from this business”, she says proudly.
Although Farhia is all smiles and a bit shy
as she speaks to Marhaba, the eloquent Somali speaking lady has seen the good
and the bad sides of her business. She has incurred losses during the recent
clashes in Garissa hence affecting the supply of milk.
The 26 year old orders her milk from North
Eastern province, home to local camel pastoralist. Milk from Garissa, Wajir,
Isiolo and sometimes Nanyuki comes in two forms; fresh and sour.
Farhia asserts that most of her customers
prefer camel milk from Isiolo. The milk can then be refrigerated or boiled to
preserve it for up to two weeks.
In comparison to cow milk whose price is
slightly lower than camel milk, the cost goes for KSh60 and 120 for half and
one litre respectively. The price for sour milk is KSh50 to 100 for half and
one litre. However, sour milk is not her customer’s favorite hence she incurs
looses at times, explains Farhia.
The transport cost for the bus transporting
a 20 litres can from Northeastern to Nairobi is KSh100 per can.
Farhia agrees that the business is at times
competitive but she gives thanks to her religious values. “I do not become
jealous whenever consumers do not buy my milk. Allah (God) is the one who
provides.”
Camel milk is well suited for the
production of cheese because of its salty taste. There are beliefs that the
milk contains antibodies which may help to fight against serious diseases like
cancer, Alzheimer’s and hepatitis B.
“Itprovides an alternative for those allergic to cow milk. Camel’s milk, is rich
in taste, must be taken slowly to allow the stomach to digest. It increases
immunity in humans due to its high concentration of insulin,” confirms Farhia.
Nestaha Ahmed Abdi, a single mother is a
proud owner of a middle class cafe in Eastleigh. Her café popularly known as
Hotel Nestani has been a food parlor since 2003.
The starting of her business was fuelled by the need to be financially independent
so as to cater for her children. Nestaha has two children in classes seven and
two respectively. Her business has enabled her to pay school fees for her
children who are enrolled at Wisdom Academy a private school in Eastleigh.
Nestaha’s business is demanding and she has
to wake up early to prepare for the day. It is due to this reason that she did
not take time to celebrate the International Women’s Day. “I am aware of the day but I have to monitor
everyday’s progress and help in serving my customers at times”, explains
Nestaha.
The 27 year old major contribution to the society is creating employment opportunities one of the agendas that were
marked on this day. As the world mark this day, she is proud to having offered
employment to three workers.
Her determination to provide the best for her family can be read from her face as she speaks. “God has given me good
health and I am not disabled, so why can’t I strive to bring out the best in
me. However small it is its better off than begging”, says Nestaha.
Her nine years experience in the hotel
business has been a success. She has not experienced any major problems. “I
have complied with the requirements of the City Council,” states Nestaha.
Her message to the Muslims women is to find
better ways of helping themselves and not wait for their husbands to provide or
beg for money on the streets.
Aisha, Farhia and Nestaha are a source of
inspiration to fellow Muslim women who are determined to make ends meet in
life. As Kenyans celebrate the international women’s day these women pose a
challenge to their fellow Muslim women to help save their families from
poverty.
Meanwhile, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance
gender department too celebrated the International women’s day that brought
together women from Kibera and Kawangware constituencies. The meeting gave
women insight on the importance of celebrating women’s achievements, how to
identify good leaders, children’s rights, and gender based violence and women
gains in the New Constitution. The meeting also gave upcoming women aspirants
to the forthcoming general elections an opportunity to market their manifestos
to fellow women as well as seek support.

What Muslims think of the International Women Day
“Empowerment is needed to further enlighten
women on various issues.” Kaltima Sebit, 33, Businesswoman.

“A women’s
place in the family setup should not be under rated. Issues of oppression need
to be addressed.” Amina Barakat, 30, Tailor.

“Gains in the
constitution will benefit everyone in the community and not just women.”
Virginia
Nduta, Prog. Coordinator, WEL.

“I know what
the day entails but I will not celebrate it because I don’t see most women
interested in celebrating it.”Aisha Mohammed, 47, Business woman.

SOURCE The New Dawn.