Ima Keithel (Mother's Market) Manipur: World's Only All Women Market

Ima Keithel (Mother's Market) Manipur:
World's Only  All Women Market

Can we imagine a market run by women only? Can we imagine all women market? Can we imagine this all women market to be the world's largest market? And can we imagine that market to be existing  in India, North East India?

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Yes there is a market run by women only. Yes there is all women market.Yes this all women market is the world's largest market. And this world's largest all women market exists in Manipur , one of the states of North East India. 

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Ima Keithel of Imphal Manipur is the market we are referring to. Ima Keithal is a Manipuri word wherein "Ima" means mother and "Keithal" means market. Irrespective of castes, communities and religion, any woman can set up a shop or store here. Ima Keithel is  pure example of woman's equality and independence and also empowerment.

Khwairamnand Bazaar or Ima market or Nupi Keithel is one of Imphal's main tourist attractions. The most important feature of this market is that around 4000  shopkeepers are women. These women represent greater mobility and economic participation of Manipuri women. Run entirely by women one can get anything and everything at Ima Keithel - a tradition that is  more than hundred years old.

Ima Keithel can become a model for women empowerment and gender justice  for other societies.

Image Courtesy: nezine.com