Filiz Zeyrek/JINHA

MERSİN - In the city of Mersin, Turkey, a woman named Hatice Köse is a fixture at bazaars with her stand selling medicinal herbs. "Being a woman in this society is truly hard, but there is no woman who can't conquer these challenges," said Hatice.

For 52-year-old Hatice Köse, who sells herbs and medicinal plants on Mersin's Çankaya Avenue, life is struggle. Hatice, a mother of two, has spent the last 10 years at her stand throughout the winter, selling herbs such as dill, arugula, nettle, parsley and basil. Hatice will do anything to be able to stand on her own without support from anyone.

Hatice noted that her husband has been sick and bedridden for years. Hatice sets up her stand on the avenue and across Mersin's neighborhoods. The municipal government, she said, often sends security guards to take down her stand. She says the municipality should provide a space for those like her to work, but doesn't.

"I don't have social security; I'm investing money for my retirement. If I retire, I'll be comfortable," said Hatice. She said that working outside in the winter is difficult, but that she's happy to make her own living.

"In this society and especially this country, it's very hard to be a woman," she said. "Women shouldn't bow down to men. If they want to, they can succeed at anything. They have the strength. It's enough that they don't hide themselves away or accept what they're seen as worthy of. Women are very strong."

(be/gc/cm)