LONG HISTORY OF WOMEN IN TRADE
According to Kelantan Entrepreneurship Development sector head Junaidah Ab Aziz, the prominence of women in trade has deep historical roots.
In earlier generations, she said, Kelantanese men often spent long periods away from home working in agriculture, collecting wood or fishing, sometimes spending weeks at sea.
As a result, women took on a greater role in supporting their households financially.
“It’s not that the fathers are not there to contribute. It’s just that physically they are not there,” she said.
This led women to seek out goods to sell, making them a familiar presence in markets.
And their children grew up watching mothers earn an income while also running the household, helping pass that tradition from one generation to the next.
“So that is the thing which defines us Kelantanese women. Very hardworking people, very strong-willed as well,” she added.
