Ima Keithel: Largest Women-Run Market in the World.
Ima Keithel, the largest women-only market in the world located in Imphal, Manipur, is run entirely by women who sell everything from fresh produce to fabrics. The market dates back to the 16th century and has a rich history of social and political activism. Only married women can officially trade in the market, and to gain a space, a woman must be nominated by a retiring vendor, usually a relative. The market is a microcosm of Manipur's egalitarian society, and the women traders have played a crucial role in shaping the state's history.