Maryam breaking society\'s mould

Maryam, a 26 year old Mauritanian woman never imagined that she would become a roaming bread seller for a small bakery in country’s capital, Nouakchott.   Maryam was married and gave birth to her two children at a young age, but after her husband divorced her and deserted the children, Maryam had to return to her family’s home. Maryam struggled with the pity and stigma associated with being a divorcee, and couldn’t stand feeling like a burden on her family, who live in a poor neighborhood. This reality pushed Maryam to find a job; a difficult task for a woman in a conservative society like Mauritania. However, she finally found her job at the bakery, breaking society’s mould which had traditionally reserved such a role for men. Maryam was Nouakchott’s first female street vendor, and has won the hearts of all of her clientele. She says that she would rather work than be unemployed, because she thinks that “everyone’s fate is in their own hands.” Maryam wakes up before dawn every morning to prepare meals for her children before going to the bakery. Her work day is busy from the outset, as Mauritanians believe that breakfast is not complete without bread. Maryam told Arabstoday: “the owner of the bakery is one of the most-famous breadmakers in our neighbourhood. People don’t wake up until they can smell our bread.” Mauritanians, across classes, like traditional bread. Many complain that modern bakeries produce low-quality produce, making them seek out ‘wood bread’ from street vendors like Maryam. Little by little, she is changing the way society thinks about the role of women.