Factors influencing the participation of women in the informal sector in Funyula division of Busia district

Abstract

This study was on the factors that influence women's participation in the informal sector in Funyula Division of Busia District. The study aimed at investigating the socio-cultural and socio-economic factors that influence informal trade among women. Specifically, the study sought to examine the following factors: demographic factors such as age, marital status and number of dependants; cultural factors as beliefs and perceptions and economic factors such as education and training, husband's occupation and property ownership. Primary data was collected between the months of December 2006 and February 2007. The study design was cross-sectional and adopted both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection where both interview guides and structured questions were used. In-depth information was obtained through focus group discussions and case studies, which collaborated the findings from the structured questionnaires. Secondary data was obtained through the review of the existing literature on the informal sector. The literature consisted of documents, books, journals and the Internet. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and the findings presented III direct quotations and ethnographic summaries. On the other hand, quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS computer programme and findings presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. The study findings suggest that factors like age, marital status, number of dependants, husband's occupation, property ownership, level of education and training, affect women's trade activities in a significant way. However, factors such as beliefs and perceptions do not bring about any significant drawback on trade. This could be attributed to factors such as change in socio-economic trends and disintegration of social networks like the extended families, which were important avenues for families to live cohesively by sharing resources with other family members. The study, therefore, recommends that policies should be designed by the government to involve other sectors in the promotion and growth of the informal sector. The study also recommends further research in other areas of the country so that issues of economic empowerment of women can be documented and their problems tackled from a national perspective.