A Global Affirmation of Struggle and Solidarity
Every November 14th, the world unites to celebrate International Street Vendors Day. This is a moment forged in solidarity by StreetNet International to honor the immense contributions of street and market vendors worldwide. This day is more than a celebration but rather it is a global reaffirmation of the collective struggle of the vendors around the world.
In almost every country, street vendors are the undeniable backbone of local economies. This is in the sense that vendors are not just sellers but practically they are the providers of affordable goods, the creators of jobs and the pulse of public life. Having informal economy workers makes the cities more affordable and convenient for everyone.
Despite this vital role, street and market vendors continue to operate without being recognized by the local authorities as well as policy makers. However they face daily challenges that include but are not limited to harassment, limited access to social protection and exclusion from policy decisions that directly affect them.
The Demand for Inclusion in Decision Making
It is a wish of every single informal economy worker that they should be recognized and included in the decision-making discussions on issues that affect them. But this wish remains unaccepted by many authorities.
“Like for myself, my vision is that I see a world where all street and market vendors are legally recognized as workers, live with dignity and enjoy the benefits of decent work”, Said Thokozani Ninje, MUFIS member who does a Restaurant business in Lilongwe.
Transition from the informal economy is not merely about regulation, it is a matter of climate justice, economic empowerment, and fundamental human rights.
Thokozani also said that as we celebrate the resilience and creativity of vendors in our country and across the globe, we must also amplify our calls for action. We demand an end to violence and harassment, the right to secure vending spaces, access to basic infrastructure, and a meaningful seat at the table in urban planning processes.
“It is very sad because from experience I have seen how a vendor gets abused and ill-treated by authorities by taking their goods and even beating them up just because they are selling in the streets. Another topic of discussion is that it is always that the local authorities impose laws upon the vendor without even a proper dialogue. Honestly, being a vendor in the streets, it is a survival of the fittest”, explained Thokozani.
It is in the mind of many other vendors like Thokozani that they would love to see new modern markets being built, new bylaws which will govern them by hearing both sides and considering each other and by creating ways of empowering street vendors to be able to have financial stability and promotion of informal to formal.
On this International Street Vendors Day, we stand together, more empowered and connected than ever, to build a future where our contributions are valued, our rights are protected, and our communities thrive.
