From high-risk to a safer business environment: The story of the Kigali Safe Mini Market

The act of street vending is not permitted in the city of Kigali as it doesn’t conform to the high standards the city has set for itself. However, the women that used it as their breadwinning activity often lacked viable alternative options. This is where the Safe Mini Market for women, built by UN Women in collaboration with the City of Kigali, comes in. It provides women with a safe environment to conduct business and sell their products be it food or clothing.

“There is a big difference between selling in the streets, and selling at the safe mini market. Here I actually have security. Early in the morning as myself and many women would make our way to the streets, we would be harassed and robbed by thieves disguised as local security officers. We did not know who we could trust. The safe mini market has made me feel more stable mentally and financially.”

These are the words of Clarisse Mukashabane, a 38-year old mother of six that has been able to move away from street vending and is now growing her business, safely.

“I started selling clothes in the streets when I was 18 years old after my husband at the time left me after I gave birth. I had no option but to wake up early and try to make ends meet. It was not easy. After getting re-married a few years later, I had five children and faced more pressure to provide for my family, as well as educate my children. When I joined the safe mini market, my life became much better. I am now able to sell fruits and vegetables in a stable way, without the fear of getting robbed and harassed as a woman. I will admit, I made a little more money in the streets, however, my security and well-being was at a great risk. In the long-run, the safe mini market and the opportunities it has given me, has ensured food security for my family, as well as school fees for my children. In the peak seasons I am able to sell a large number of fruits and make a good living. I am now looking forward to growing my business, making more money and building a house for my family. The Safe Mini Market made my life change for the better.”

The Kigali Safe City and Safe Public Spaces Programme is part of UN Women’s Safe Cities Global Initiative, spanning 21 Cities. The Programme was launched in June 2011 and aims to prevent and reduce sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence in public spaces in the City of Kigali, in particular in the Kimisagara Sector. The Kigali Safe City Programme is grounded in an evidence based and human rights-based approach. The programme recognizes that women and men have different experiences in accessing and using public spaces and focuses on empowering them to become agents of change, while protecting them from gender-based violence. The programme’s objectives are also strengthened by regular campaigns such as the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence that are marked at national level and globally from 25th November to 10th December.

Thanks to the programme, close to 100 women have now moved from the streets hazards to the safety of a built mini market where they can cater for their family and their wellness at the same time.

For more information on UN Women's work in Rwanda, kindly contact tumaini.ochieng@unwomen.org or novella.nikwigize@unwomen.org