Woman blazes a trail through cattle markets

There was livestock - cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats and even camels. They were the highlight at the cattle market. Then there were the men, both traders and buyers, who were pros in the business. But what stood out among everything was the 21-year-old woman in their midst, taking the first step to challenge gender stereotypes in this realm.

Ayesha Ghani can be seen tending to and selling sacrificial animals at the cattle market on the Super Highway ahead of Eidul Azha - tasks that might be nothing out of the ordinary, if it weren't for the fact that Ghani, as a woman, is shattering stereotypes by doing them.

A resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Ghani visits the market every day, where she has put 36 cows, oxen and calves on sale, between a range of Rs130,000 and Rs700,000.

Ghani raised these animals at home on her own. Her affection for them is evident by her visiting the market every day to spend time with the cattle, despite having hired workers to take care of them.

On any given day, a visitor to the market can witness her bathing, walking, decorating and feeding the animals, if not sealing a dealing with a customer.

"I have sold 10 so far," she told The Express Tribune, adding that they may also be bought online on her Facebook and Instagram pages, 'Desi Cows'.

Explaining that most of the larger animals had yet to be sold, Ghani observed that the business had slowed down this year in the wake of the pandemic.

"Most buyers are looking for animals available at economical prices, while prices have sky-rocketed this year due to inflation," she pointed out.

Setting a precedent

For Ghani, who has been an animal lover her entire life, this is her first time personally selling animals in the market.

Speaking on the matter, she said, "I want girls to step forward and get more involved in this work. But yes, they are bound to face challenges at first."

She is hopeful about seeing change in this, though. "After all, girls do face a lot many difficulties in our society but I have taken the first step and hope to see more women and girls stepping forward," she said. "Today, women are second to none and they should not consider themselves inferior to anyone. We can progress in every field."

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2020.