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The three-decade-old bustling village market, set up by women and run by them at a village in Gopalganj district, appears unique in the country. It is called 'boubazar', roughly meaning a 'brides' market' or 'ladies' market'. The market is a true witness to the reality of social discrimination against womenfolk and their resolve to survive with dignity. Women in the village and its neighbourhood used to go for shopping at a traditional market nearby. Following a spat, the market authorities prohibited women from coming to the market. The enterprising women did not sit idle. They decided to open their own market. And, to the great surprise of the male businesses, the market began growing from the very beginning.
Selling mainly kitchen items like vegetables and groceries, the market has continued to thrive with day-to-day business activities of small women traders. Its clientele once comprised mostly women. However, lately male customers have started visiting the market. A handful of shops run by male traders have also sprouted. The overall environment is harmonious and peaceful. The past bitterness is now gone. A number of males are found these days giving a hand to their exhausted wives after finishing their work.
Thanks to the women's successful running of the market for thirty long years, local influential people have extended their cooperation to this venture. The president of the present market committee is a male. He acknowledges the fact that women traders and shoppers in general find the atmosphere of the market peaceful. The lack of facilities like drinking water and washrooms troubles him. He, along with other people, is said to be trying to solve these problems.
The pioneering women behind the Gopalganj 'boubazar' can claim a place in the country's record book chronicling the achievements made by females in different sectors. In this tradition-bound country, the venture is viewed by many as a landmark chapter in the struggle of women to become vocal. This peaceful protest against male chauvinism is not found in many societies despite the pronounced presence of rights-conscious women activists.
The name of 'boubazar' might bring to the minds of many the image of a similar place in Kolkata. An area in the West Bengal capital has been known as Boubazar since the 19th century. Located in central Kolkata, it is a crowded urban centre. There are no women traders and clients in the area, except the busy lady commuters. But once there was a market at the place. It was called Boubazar due to the handing over a share of the land by a local feudal lord to his daughter-in-law, 'bou' or' bou-ma' in Bangla. In Dhaka city, there are mentions of three Boubazars --- at Jurain, Nawabganj, and Karail in Gulshan area. Authentic historical proofs of existence of any complete markets at these places are not available. But the places are still known as Boubazars. A wholesale-cum-retail market called Boubazar was said to have been in operation at Nawabganj once upon a time. Due to the unclear picture of the 'ladies' market' scenario, the one in Gopalganj could be considered the only functional 'boubazar' in the country.
In this age of male-female joint endeavours in every sector of society, women's-only ventures appear out of sync. But women still lag far behind males in society, especially in developing countries. Thus `boubazars' ought to be viewed as something necessitated by circumstances.