'Curry' is in season

Glenda Simms, Contributor

THE CORONATION Market (Curry) in Kingston is reputed to be the biggest market of its type in the Western hemisphere. It is this historical legacy which was recently attacked and substantially damaged by fire when the thugs of western Kingston challenged the authority of the nation state.

These unfortunate circumstances have really set back the country's development at a time when there is a complex of difficult political, social, economic and spiritual challenges confronting the lives of the majority of the Jamaica population. It is in this socio-political climate that the coming together of private sector funding agencies is most welcomed.

committed to assist

These donors reportedly are committed to assisting the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the Coronation Market. The identification of the funding base is an important step in any infrastructural initiative. The second and most crucial step is the consultation with and the involvement of the main stakeholders at all levels of decision making during the process of carrying out any project.

Within this context, the KSAC is now presented with the opportunity to demonstrate to all other local authorities and to the central government what is meant by gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women in the local government reform process.

Based on information provided by a very reliable male leader and an advocate for a just an equitable society, it has been established that 65 per cent of the persons who carry out their business and make their livelihood in Coronation Market are women.

They fall in three categories:

Traditional higglers who have historically sold the fruits, vegetables and ground provisions produced in the rural areas of the island.

Informal commercial importers who are legendary in their business dealings carried out in North America, Latin America and in other states in the CARICOM region. These are those who keep "missis'" cupboards filled with onions, garlic and all types of dry goods.

The vendors who either credit or take goods on consignment from the businessmen of varying nationalities who do business in the downtown sector of the Corporate Area.

Irrespective of the categories in the 'Curry' scene, the majority of these Jamaicans are women in general and, in particular, they are poor black women who have always gone the extra mile "to make ends meet".

'grin and bare it'

These women usually have large extended families. Typically, they are sandwiched between their parents' generation and their children. Over time, they have learnt to "grin and bare it", "band dem belly and bawl", and do what they have to do to "keep body soul together".

The time has come for the male-dominated decision makers, the "three-piece suit" contractors and the so-called developers to get to a state of consciousness that will ensure that they reconstruct the Coronation Market into a world-class woman-centred institution. Within this framework there will be an appreciation of the women - who must continue to supply the best quality fruits, vegetables and other food items that "missis" needs on a weekly bases.

These women must be able to anticipate a refurbished market in which the following features are mandatory and non-negotiable:

Facilities that will allow rural women who carry out business in the market to find comfortable spaces to rest during the nights when they are away from their communities. Currently, they have no choice but to sleep on their loads, or on cardboards, newspapers, crocus bags and other makeshift beds.

A child-care and senior citizen relaxation area which will provide a safe, stimulating and healthy environment for the babies and young children who must accompany their mothers and grandmothers to market. Some women also have no choice but to take their senior relatives along with them. These persons also need a proper and well-kept facility in which they can relax and nap while they await their return to 'country'.

A reliable water supply that will ensure that women, men and children can have clean and well-kept sanitary facilities in which there will be persons who distribute toilet paper and paper towels. Such facilities should also have dispensers for purchasing sanitary pads and access to free condoms.

A clinic in which first aid and other basic health services can be obtained.

Refreshment areas in the which healthy food items can be purchased.

A recreational area in which women can bend, stretch, relax and do a little exercise. It is important to note that poor Jamaican women of African ancestry are the majority victims of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol levels.

The market also needs to have a green area in which those who spend time in this environment can communicate with nature.

There should also be a non-denominational space of peace and sanctity in which Christians, Muslims, Rastafarians, Buddhists, Atheists and Witches can communicate with the external forces that inform their spirituality.

These are but a few of the features that could transform Coronation Market into a safe, healthy, woman-centred and world-class market. The time has come for the reorientation of the men who set the framework for the quality life that has eluded the majority of poor, rural and inner-city folk. Development without respect for women and without equality rights within a human-rights framework is development that is unsustainable and doomed to fail.

Glenda P. Simms, Ph.D., is a consultant and gender expert.