BREAKING BARRIERS: STAKEHOLDERS PUSH FOR ACCESSIBLE MARKETS IN ARUA

The leadership of both WEID during the press conference (photo by Martin Anguyo)
 
By Martin Anguyo
Arua City
 
Stakeholders have emphasized the need for inclusive market spaces that cater to women with disabilities.
 
During a press conference organized by Women with Disabilities in Development (WEID) in partnership with the Strategic Initiative for the Horn of Africa (SIHA) network at the Red Cross premises in Arua City, various stakeholders expressed concerns about the limitations faced by women with disabilities in many markets.
 
Siyama Bairu, the Project Coordinator of WEID, stressed the importance of including women market vendors in every joint market activity to ensure their needs are taken into account.
 
?Women market vendors with disabilities in market premises should be meaningfully involved in the planning process, contractors and engineers should embrace the existing policies on inclusive structure? said the project coordinator.
 
Faida Gloria, a representative from Arua Main Market, echoed this sentiment during the conference, appealing to leaders to allocate suitable spaces for women with disabilities, particularly in the market.
 
?Sitting in the market should be well done because we have very disorganized kind of allocation done. People have sat the way they want, on the walk ways people are everywhere and so next time when new construction is being done, people should be resettled very well? said Gloria.
 
Enyaru Grace, a woman living with a disability, shared some of the challenges she and others face at Arua Main Market, highlighting the need for more accessible and inclusive facilities. "We struggle to carry heavy luggage on our own, and we often rely on able-bodied individuals to assist us. Furthermore, the market stalls are positioned at a high level, which adds to our difficulties “said Grace.
 
Andama John, Chairman of the Onduparaka Vendors Association in Ayivu Division, described the situation at the market as dire, calling for full support to be given to vendors with disabilities to enable them to operate effectively.
 
?As of now if you go to Onduparaka, I have five of them and the place is overcrowdedbecause we don’t now have any spaceand please as we continue doing our work, let us give our support to them to make sure that they also feel comfortable like us who are able? requested John.
 
The stakeholders' appeal underscores the importance of creating inclusive and accessible market spaces that allow all vendors, including those with disabilities, to participate fully and contribute to the local economy.
 
By working together, leaders and market stakeholders can help create a more equitable and supportive environment for everyone.