The fire that ravaged Mbare Musika in Harare, Zimbabwe on Tuesday 8th October 2024, has left thousands of informal traders, mostly women, reeling from the loss of their livelihoods. The fire destroyed property and goods worth millions of United States Dollars according to local media reports, rendering many vendors without a source of income.
Media reports state that over 4,000 traders were severely affected, highlighting the vulnerability of the informal sector whose traders are mostly women. While the fire has exposed the market’s vulnerability to disasters, the government’s declaration of a state of disaster and pledge to revive the market is a welcome move which presents an opportunity to rebuild the market with better safety, health, and accessibility in mind.
Rebuilding Mbare Musika market with women traders in mind requires a multifaceted approach. The government should engage women traders in the decision-making process to ensure their needs are met. This includes conducting surveys, focus groups, and workshops to understand their concerns, needs and suggestions. With regards infrastructural rehabilitation, it was noted that the market’s sanitation facilities were inadequate and in a horrible state, posing health risks to both traders and customers. As such, the new market should have modern and clean toilets, showers, and handwashing stations with connection to clean water and waste management facilities to promote good health and hygiene. The market should have well-lit and ventilated stalls, secure storage facilities, accessible and clean sanitation facilities, a reliable water supply, and an efficient waste management system.
Women traders face unique challenges, including limited access to financial services and training, As a result the government should consider going beyond just infrastructural rehabilitation of the market to offer women exclusive micro-loans, financial literacy programs, and skills training to enhance women’s economic resilience. Social support is also vital. This includes on-site healthcare facilities and childcare services to enable women traders to focus on their businesses while giving those with young children a safe space to accommodate them while they ply their trade. Additionally, counselling services and support groups can help women cope with the trauma of the fire and how to move on from it.
To prevent future tragedies, the government should install CCTV cameras, improve lighting, and implement fire response mechanisms and safety measures. An increase in police presence to prevent theft and violence would also be welcome, as such a police post within the market would not be too outlandish. This will help create a secure environment for women traders to operate in. By incorporating women’s perspectives and needs, the government can create a market that empowers and supports women traders, ensuring their psychological, economic stability and well-being.
To consolidate their promises, government should develop policies to protect informal traders’ rights by establishing emergency response plans to prevent similar disasters from recurring in future. The recent visit by the Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and their commitment and pledge to provide loans and food assistance is crucial in women rebuilding their businesses. As President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the incident a state of disaster, it is crucial to also recognise the disproportionate impact of this disaster to women informal traders to address their specific needs. It presents an opportunity to create a more resilient and sustainable trading environment through prioritising women’s safety, health, and accessibility.
As Zimbabwe moves forward, it is crucial to recognize the disproportionate impact of disasters on women and address their specific needs. By doing so, the government can create a more resilient and sustainable trading environment, empowering women traders to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy and development.
