Though women make up a sizeable percentage of people working in markets across the country, some of their key interests are not catered for in infrastructure development.

The situation has meant that breastfeeding mothers have for instance had to feed their babies in the open at their stalls. This will however be history after the Ministry of Trade and Industry pledged to push setting up of separate rooms for breastfeeding mothers and children at all markets in the country, according to Emmanuel Hategeka, the permanent secretary at the ministry. This is part of the new market infrastructure master plan unveiled by government last week.

"This is a sensitive and urgent issue that needs a quick solution for the existing markets and those to be constructed. It doesn’t require a big budget…It is one of the standards in the master plan for improvement of market infrastructure to ensure mothers work in a supportive environment,” Hategeka said.

He said the master plan is awaiting Cabinet approval before it is implemented.

The room ‘Icyumba cy’umubyeyi’ is envisaged to work on the same model as the one for girls that was established in the 12-year basic education schools.

While conducting research for the Market Infrastructure Master Plan, it was discovered that all markets had no room for mothers.

There are 520 markets with 101,430 traders countrywide. However, this does not include the current roadside kiosks and makeshift markets, where farmers sell local produce on different roads across the country.

The study shows that most markets are sub-standard and do not have basic facilities.

The Market Infrastructure Master Plan, which was validated recently by officials from ministries of trade, agriculture, finance, infrastructure, as well as public institutions, the Private Sector Federation and district vice-mayors in charge of finance and economic development, is expected to solve this anomaly.

Philippe Mutarambirwa, a market infrastructure policy specialist, said local authorities must build markets with enough rooms for mothers. "It is essential for any local government to always consider the needs of women when designing markets,” Mutarambirwa said.

State of markets

He said 55 per cent of markets are not covered, while 57 per cent are not paved and have no stands. Over 65 per cent have no electricity, 61 per cent are without water and 55 per cent lack toilet facilities.

"This is a big problem, particularly since the majority of the market vendors are women,” Mutarambirwa said.

He said in some markets, they found health service providers vaccinating children. "In such cases, those designing market infrastructures need to keep in mind the safety of children... We have, therefore, proposed the establishment of facilities to cater for the children and nursing mothers in all markets across the country,” he added.

Market women deserve better

The health ministry has also called for favourable environment for working mothers. Officials say it is important for mothers to have ample space to breastfeed their children.

Alexis Mucumbitsi, the head of nutrition department at the health ministry, recently called for a conducive environment for breastfeeding mothers at workplaces. He said providing mothers special rooms for women will reduce the absenteeism and the increase their revenues, as well as boost babies’ health conditions.

Start move

Mothers who spoke to Business Times welcomed the idea, saying it will provide them much-needed relief.

"We are forced to go back home to breastfeed our babies when we should be selling our items. Remember, it is risky to have children at our stalls, it causes stress,” Josephine Nyirabahire, a fruit seller in Mutangana Market, has said.

"If we are provided special rooms, it will relieve us of this burden and will provide conducive environment for babies to sleep,” said the resident of Gitega sector, Nyarugenge District.

Seraphine Uwamaharo, another vendor, said she leaves her baby at home with a baby-sitter. She said the rooms will increase the contact between mothers and babies, as well as make it easy to monitor the babies when they are with baby-sitters. Other mothers say it affects ones morale to run a business with a baby on your back, adding that markets don’t have safe ‘rest places’ for babies and children.

Angélique Mukunde, the Kicukiro District vice-mayor in charge of finance and economic planning, said the idea should be implemented as soon as the master plan is approved by the Cabinet.