Story & photos: Yiwen Zheng
International Women’s Day was celebrated in Burngreave in March showing women play a vital role in modern society.
Usha Blackham, the organiser of the celebration event in Firvale Centre, told us the event gave women the chance to leave their home and enjoy themselves. It also helped them develop businesses and boost their income for their families by having stalls at the event.
Jabeena Harif brought some facial products and helped women to cleanse their faces and clear toxins through face massage at the event. Some of her products were made of fruit which were very popular. Customers could make appointments for the facial service in their own homes.
Hanan plans to open a women’s hair salon so she gave free haircuts to women at the event and talked to them to find out what would be reasonable prices in her future salon.
Jameela runs a beauty salon and a wedding party planning service. She brought some perfume, candles and hand decorated flower vases to the event to find out what women like.
Rashida did massage for local women for relaxation and to raise money for Palestinian women. She also has a home based business as a part-time job, called Forever Living, selling natural products. Shahzia sold some household items on her stall on the event, such as jewellery, perfume, clothes and children’s shoes.
The event was an excellent showcase of women’s enterprise.
