By Ibukun Emiola
Market women in Oyo State have called on the state government and local councils to support their businesses by halting shop demolitions, improving market infrastructure, and providing financial support.
The demands were made on Thursday when the Iyamapo Centre for Peace, Women and Youth Development visited the chairman of the Ibadan South-East Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The visit was part of the centre’s efforts to mobilise support for market women through a coalition of more than 100 market unions and commodity associations across the state.
According to the centre’s Executive Director, Mrs Sherifat Taleat-Arafat, the coalition, supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, was established to promote solidarity among market women and advance their interests.
“The coalition is advocating improved welfare for women in markets and seeking positive government responses to their needs and aspirations.
“The women are demanding an end to the demolition of market shops, improved social amenities in markets, and access to financial support for business expansion,” Taleat-Arafat said.
Responding, the chairman of Ibadan South-East LCDA, Mr Teslim Ogundeji, described market women as critical contributors to household welfare and community development.
Ogundeji said women in markets play vital roles in providing for families and deserve greater support to thrive.
He, however, observed that the absence of unity among market women had limited opportunities for their development.
According to him, unity among market leaders will promote peace, development and a better future for women and society.
“Women in markets are providers and pillars of households, so their importance in peace building and development of any society cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.
Ogundeji pledged to forward their Charter of Demands to the chairmen of Ibadan South-East Local Government and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State, for necessary action.
Speaking on behalf of the market leaders, the Otun Iyaloja of Ibadanland, Chief Munirat Ilori, stressed the need for greater unity among women leaders to attract developmental opportunities.
Ilori urged the government at all levels to pay more attention to the needs of market women by providing facilities, grants and other forms of support.
She also advocated for a greater representation of women in key decision-making positions to ensure their voices were heard in governance and development initiatives.
The event featured the presentation of two publications: “Charter of Demands: Voices of Market Women in Oyo State” and “Needs Assessment of Market Women and Commodity Associations in Oyo State”.
