Oldest women entrepreneurs fading fast in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

One of the oldest women entrepreneurs of Indian-administered Kashmir, fisherwomen locally known as Gadhi Wajin, can be seen thronging markets early in the morning and luring customers to buy the catch, netted by their husbands or brothers.

Dotted by lakes and streams, the scenic Kashmir Valley produces verities of fish. Among the families who catch fish, there is a clear division of labor. While the men carry nets and fishing rods deep into the lakes to catch fish, the women take them to markets or go around villages to sell them.

Rehti Begum, 57, walks miles afoot every day to take a spot on one of the historical bridges of Kashmir-Amira Kadal to sell fish. Due to the non-availability of proper space, many fisherwomen line themselves on the pavement of the bridge which is located in the heart of the capital city, Srinagar.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency coinciding with the International Women's Day being observed on Tuesday, she said her day begins and ends with the struggle to earn enough for the family.

"Traditionally, the men would catch the fish and the women sold them later, this is how the existence of fisherwomen came into being," said Tabish Akhter, a history scholar.

Begum says that for the last 23 years she is selling fish. But it has never been easy for her. She sits on the pavement and sells the fish, during the summers or harsh winters.

"Initially, I used to roam around different neighborhoods to sell fish, crying aloud to attract the attention of potential customers,” she said.

Although fisherwomen are important blocks of their families’ earning livelihoods, experts say they have limited control over resources which adds to their marginalization.

Atufa Regu, a research scholar who has studied the economic and social hardships of fisherwomen, said they face marginalization in terms of financial resources and societal setup.

"If we see these women through a social lens, their job is seen as a menial one and the society has already attached a taboo," he said.

"That is why we can see that these fisherwomen don't want their children to be a part of this job, business," she added.

Due to the stigma attached to the job, many people have opted out of this business due to social and economic factors.

Begum says that at times she also wants to opt out of this business as her grown-up children didn't want her to continue with it.

"They feel some sort of shame but it doesn't matter now as it has been 23 years for me doing this job," she said.

Environmental degradation has also contributed to the misfortune of fisherfolk. According to a study, the world-famous scenic Dal Lake in the heart of Srinagar city is increasingly becoming a cesspool and the fishes are vanishing at a growing speed.

The fish production from the lakes is consistently showing negative growth, believe experts, thus affecting the fortunes of fisherwomen.

Many believe that the oldest profession of the women entrepreneur in Kashmir breathing last breath and can die any time.