Awadeya Mahmoud — Sudanese Tea Seller and Women's Rights Activist

Activities and organization

Mahmoud helped establish the Women’s Food and Tea Sellers’ Cooperative and the Women’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative for Khartoum State. These cooperatives provide collective representation, coordinate daily selling arrangements, and seek to protect members from harassment, arbitrary evictions and heavy fines. Her approach combines practical support—such as organizing shared spaces and negotiating with authorities—with training in financial and administrative matters.

Context and challenges

Street vending in Sudan is often an informal occupation dominated by women who rely on daily sales for household income. Vendors face obstacles including unclear regulations, police enforcement actions, and social stigma. By organizing vendors into cooperatives, Mahmoud and her colleagues aimed to create a more resilient economic base, improve working conditions and make the sector visible to policymakers and civil society.

Recognition and impact

Mahmoud’s leadership attracted attention beyond Sudan. In 2016 she received the International Women of Courage Award, an honor that highlighted grassroots economic activism and women’s role in public life. International recognition brought greater awareness to the situation of informal women workers and lent support to local organizing efforts.

Notable facts

• She is an example of how informal workers can use cooperatives to advance collective bargaining and social protection.
• Her work links economic empowerment with broader questions of women’s rights and civic participation.
• For further reading and background on her activities see profile and reports and the award announcement at International Women of Courage.