SHLER KOYA

Koye — In a vibrant scene, Fatih Rasul Park in Koye transformed into an open space for displaying women's skills and highlighting their economic presence, through a women's bazaar that became a platform for stories of determination and individual abilities, and a clear message about the importance of empowering women in the local community.

Yesterday, Wednesday, June 11, Fatih Rasul Park in Koye, Kurdistan Region, witnessed a large women's event organised by the Oscar Organisation aimed at supporting and empowering women and providing an economic and social space to showcase their handmade products. The bazaar's corridors were filled with dozens of tables featuring a variety of works, from traditional foods to handicrafts and accessories, amid a notable public presence.

Emerging Projects and First Opportunities for Display

Among the participants, Diya Shirwan, a law college student, presented a new project based on writing detective stories in the Kurdish language. This is her first experience in this field after having published her works in other languages.

She said: "I started the project electronically, and this is the first time I write in Kurdish. The idea is based on a crime story where the perpetrator is unknown, and the reader must search among the suspects. Today is the first day we present our work in person because we do not have a shop, and all our sales were online. Therefore, we thank the Oscar Organisation and the park for this opportunity."

Women Working from Home

Suzi Himdad also participated with a group of teachers from her institute to introduce the educational institution through the bazaar. She said: "This opportunity is very important for women, especially those working independently from their homes. The bazaar helps people get to know them and their work, and it is necessary for women's organisations to continue supporting their abilities."

Also prominent was the story of a girl with special needs who could not complete her education due to the absence of specialised centres in Koye, but she found in bead and accessory making a space to prove herself.

Her mother said: "I have a son and a daughter with special needs, and they could not complete their studies because there are no suitable schools. So I provided my daughter with home work because she is diligent, intelligent, and loves this type of work, and we support her as much as we can."

Traditional Foods Return to the Forefront

Nashmil Hamid presented the traditional Kurdish dish "Danola," alongside her handmade accessories. She said: "Danola is an ancient Kurdish food that has recently regained attention, so I brought it to the bazaar. Last year, I brought it once and it received great admiration, so I participated with it again."

Helen Ismail, who has worked from home for six years making holiday sweets and "Kilija" with her mother, said this is her first participation in a direct bazaar. "Direct selling is an important opportunity for us. Every woman has a skill, and it does not matter whether she holds a certificate or not; what matters is that she finds work that suits her and develops herself."

For her part, Shno Jalil said that such events should be organised in every city, adding: "These festivals are important for introducing Kurdish culture, food, and Kurdish dress. They are also a source of income for women. What we saw today was very beautiful, and the prices were reasonable. I hope that women continue their work and that these events turn into real support for them, as many of them have not been given job opportunities even though some are university graduates."

Bakar Hamad from the management team of the Oscar Organisation explained that the organisation has organised a large number of women's bazaars over the past years, evaluating this by saying: "We hold these markets every season according to circumstances. In this round, more than 60 women participated with various products, and the works were displayed on more than 80 tables. I am pleased to see this large attendance; it is evidence of the success of our efforts. We want to encourage women to leave their homes and develop their skills."