In the intricate and convoluted web of economic activities, the informal economy stands as a significant player, providing livelihood opportunities for many individuals worldwide.
Within this sector, informal trading emerges as a cornerstone of economic survival, particularly for marginalised populations.
However, beneath the bustling markets and street vendors lies a hidden connection to unpaid care work, a crucial yet often undervalued aspect of society predominantly shouldered by women.
This article and opinion contribution delves deeper into the complex and intertwined relationship between unpaid care work and informal trading, shedding light on how these two spheres intersect and influence each other, ultimately shaping the lives of women in the informal economy.
According to the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights’ 2013 report on unpaid care and domestic work, slanted responsibility for care entrenches women’s disproportionate vulnerability to poverty across their lifetime. The importance of nurturing and caring for personal and family well-being cannot be understated.
Unpaid care work: The foundation of society
Unpaid care work encompasses a broad spectrum of activities that are essential for the well-being and functioning of individuals and families.
These activities include childcare, elderly care, household chores, and other forms of domestic labour that are often invisible and taken for granted.
Despite the fundamental role unpaid care work plays in sustaining communities and economies, it is disproportionately borne by women.
This gendered division of labour perpetuates inequalities, as women are expected to manage care responsibilities alongside their participation in the labour market, including engaging in informal trading activities.
Oxfam’s 2017 Household Care Survey (HCS) 31 found that this unequal distribution of unpaid care work begins in childhood and persists over time.
Girls aged eight to12 years spend 1.7 hours a day more than boys of the same age group on unpaid care activities, and girls of 13-17 years spend one hour more than boys of the same age group.
This comes at the cost of less time girls spend on leisure and sleep for girls between the ages of eight and 12 years (about half an hour less). If overall work hours are added – paid and unpaid – then girls between the ages of eight to 17 years spend 30 minutes to one hour more on work every day than boys.
Interestingly, global research similarly finds that if both unpaid and paid work are added, working women spend more hours per day on work than working men.3
Informal trading: A lifeline amidst challenges
Informal trading serves as a vital lifeline for many individuals who lack access to formal employment opportunities. With its low barriers to entry and flexibility, the informal sector offers a means of income generation for those facing economic hardships.
Women, in particular, are active participants in informal trading, engaging in activities such as street vending, market stalls, and small-scale entrepreneurship to support themselves and their families.
However, the success of women in informal trading is often hindered by the invisible but significant burden of unpaid care work that they simultaneously shoulder.
The Intersection: Unpacking the linkages
The nexus between unpaid care work and informal trading becomes glaringly evident when we delve into the daily realities of women engaged in both spheres.
The dual responsibilities of running a small business or vending operation and managing caregiving duties place a substantial burden on women, often leading to time poverty, limited opportunities for skill development, and restricted access to social protection measures.
The lack of formal recognition and support for unpaid care work further compounds the challenges faced by women in the informal economy, perpetuating a cycle of economic vulnerability and gender inequality.
Implications and recommendations
Addressing the complex interplay between unpaid care work and informal trading necessitates a holistic and inclusive approach that recognizes and addresses the interconnected nature of these spheres.
To foster a more supportive environment for women in the informal economy, policymakers, businesses, and civil society organizations should consider the following recommendations:
- Recognise and value unpaid care work: By acknowledging the critical role of care work and promoting a more equitable distribution of care responsibilities within households, women can be afforded the time and resources to engage more fully in economic activities without sacrificing their well-being.
- Promote inclusive policies: Implementing policies that support women in the informal economy, such as access to affordable childcare, flexible working arrangements, and social protection programmes, can help alleviate the burden of unpaid care work and empower women to participate more actively in trading activities. Government must routinely and largely consult informal traders, especially women, to understand the social security needs of the sector. Over and above being consultative the national budget allocation towards cushioning the informal sector in times of disasters is imperative
- Foster entrepreneurship and skill development: Investing in training programs, mentorship opportunities, and financial resources for women engaged in informal trading can empower them to grow their businesses, increase their incomes, and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
Access to finance must be improved by the private sector and other players for example introduction of transparent revolving funds at low interest rate loans.
In the majority of cases banks that are meant to support women have conditions that are restrictive and scare away many women.
Continued initiatives must be done by such banks to empower women to formalise and form associations that guarantee them access to finance. Access to information must improve for women to know services offered by government and local authorities.
In their paper tilted ‘Landscape of Care work in Zimbabwe’, UN Women further recommends that, Gender and disability be mainstreamed in all infrastructure projects and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Infrastructure and other time-saving technologies are very important for reducing domestic work and allowing access to care services, especially as climate change, conflict, and other regional crises have affected care services provision, food security and livelihoods.
In conclusion, the nexus between unpaid care work and informal trading highlights the intricate challenges faced by women in the informal economy.
By addressing the structural barriers that perpetuate gender inequalities and recognizing the interconnectedness of care work and economic activities, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for women to thrive as caregivers and entrepreneurs in the informal sector.
Only through concerted efforts to address these interlocking issues can we pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for women in informal economies worldwide.
*Samuel Wadzai is the executive director of vendors Initiatives for Social and Economic Transformation.
These weekly articles published are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale consultants (Private) Limited, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute of Zimbabwe. Email- kadenge,zes@gmail.com or mobile No. +263 772 382 852