The Standard (Zimbabwe)

The nexus between unpaid care work and informal trading

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 wellbeing 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 o ers 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:

1. 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.

2. Promote inclusive policies: Implementi­ng policies that support women in the informal economy, such as access to a ordable 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

3. 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 o ered 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 a ected 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 e orts 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