Submission ID 118544
| Issue/Objective | Informal food businesses are vital to the livelihoods and food needs of urban households in many cities across the Global South. In Kenya, the informal sector contributes nearly 35% of the country's (Gross Domestic Product) GDP and employs a large segment of the population. In Kisumu City, the third largest in Kenya, the sector makes up over 60% of the local economy, with the food sector largely dominated by women. These businesses provide affordable, accessible food, reduce food waste, and serve as economic safety nets for families. However, operating within patriarchal systems, female vendors remain highly vulnerable to disruptions such as pandemics, climate disasters, political unrest, and inflation. Emergency interventions often exclude these women, despite their critical role in sustaining urban food systems. Additionally, regulations disrupt business operations and add to their burdens. Despite their contributions, little research has examined how women food vendors support household food security and livelihoods in secondary cities across the Global South. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | Guided by the Community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, we conducted a qualitative study in Kisumu, Kenya to explore the role of women vendors in addressing the urban food security and livelihood needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved the use of IDIs (n=20), KIIs (n=20), and FGDs (n=4). Informed by Braun & Clarkes step-by-step thematic analysis, we conducted deductive and inductive analysis of participants narratives. |
| Results | The analysis revealed that in times of emergency, shifts in gender roles occurs and this lead to resistance, creating a suitable environment for gender-based violence. In times of emergencies, the intersection of gender and economic hardship created a unique set of challenges, particularly for the informal female vendors whose businesses rely on the daily sales to sustain their businesses and households. However, as a coping mechanism, most of the women rely on the power of community and togetherness in sustaining the businesses and creating a sense of solidarity during tough times. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Our study confirmed that female food vendors not only helped in sustaining their families, but they also contribute significantly to community food security in times of disruptions underscoring their central role in urban food systems and livelihoods |
| Presenters and affiliations | Elizabeth Onyango University of Alberta JANET ONYANGO University of Alberta |
