Xinjiang Helps Local Women Start Business, Improve Lives

Women in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region work in a tailor shop. [Chinanews]

A row of pink houses were recently constructed near a bazaar in Kuche County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

These new houses contain various shops ranging from tailoring, hairdressing, carpet-weaving to hand-knitting. Awahan Siyiti is the owner of the tailor shop. She opened her shop three months ago with help from the local government, which provided her with 40,000 yuan (U.S. $6,500) to start her business.

Now, she has employed 35 workers and produces 1,000 costumes every month.

Hasiyayi Aizezi is a worker in the shop. She said, "I used to be a farmer in the village. In the past, I took care of my kids and worked on the farm, but I earned little money. When I knew that the tailor shop wanted workers, I came here. Now I have not only learned tailoring, but also increased my income to 2,000 yuan (U.S. $330) per month."

Hanayi, 55, used to be a housewife. Recently, she opened a shop to sell hand-made pillows and other handicraft products. She employed 15 female workers to make handicraft products. Her products have been sold to many cities in Xinjiang.

Kuerban, an official from the local government, said, "In the past, local women always stayed at home and took care of their kids. In order to help them earn more money and improve their lives, the local government constructed these pink houses and provided local women with start-up funds to start their own businesses. Twelve women have opened their shops here and created 152 job opportunities for local women. In the future, we will waive their renting fees for three years and deliver free professional training on carpet-weaving to local women."

(Source: Chinanews/Translated by Women of China)