Project Rationale
“Women’s Own Open Market” project was implemented in 2014 funded by Civil Society Organization Fund Facility. One of the many manifestations of urban poverty is the increasing number of ‘footpath vegetable vendors’ on the busy streets of Thimphu.
Addressing urban poverty and women’s economic empowerment, BAOWE in collaboration with Thimphu Thromde introduced a pilot vendor’s market for women in urban nerve centers of Thimphu and Phuentsholing . This provides a secure and conducive environment for erstwhile street hawkers to sell their produce. Regulated by Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), these women sell homemade food items, vegetables and dairy products. The beneficiaries of this Project are mostly uneducated, single mothers and unemployed youth. It is envisioned that through this platform they will become empowered, independent and live lives of dignity as contributing members of society.
BAOWE will supervise and conduct capacity building initiatives to help diversify their products encouraging their growth. Capacity building initiatives will include presentation, storage, packaging, pricing, book-keeping, banking, and marketing.
Project aims to:
– promote home made goods encouraging local ingredients and thereby farmers.
-Create livelihood opportunities for women.
-Improve living standards and general wellbeing.
-Provide harmony at home.