Submission ID 118213
| Issue/Objective | The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated and exacerbated the existing inequalities in the informal economy, with women food vendors particularly bearing disproportionate burdens. The informal food sector in Kenya's third largest city, Kisumu City, is a source of livelihood for most urban women. Additionally, a majority of the city's households rely on the sector for their food security needs. This paper explores the gendered experiences of post-COVID-19 recovery efforts specifically for women informal food vendors. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Applying the principles of the Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) framework, this study explored how gender inclusivity, equity, power dynamics, and community-led coping strategies shaped the informal female vendor's recovery efforts. The study adopted qualitative research approaches including policy document reviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to document the lived experiences of women informal food vendors with post-pandemic recovery efforts. The rich data collected highlighted the coping strategies employed by the women vendors, support mechanisms used, application of local knowledge and strategies for recovery while unraveling the gendered challenges of bouncing back from the pandemic. |
| Results | Guided by Braun & Clarke's step-by-step thematic analysis, we identified several key themes: a) informal food sector exclusion b) caregiving and household burdens c) women representation in policy processes d) unequal economic recovery e) access to financing. Overall, women entrepreneurs reported limited government and private sector support, rising cost of living, market saturation and competition, and increased burden of care. In addition, the specific recovery strategies lacked gender-inclusive recovery programs for women informal vendors. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Formulating and implementing gender-responsive policies to support women informal food vendors in times of emergencies is crucial for recovery and for rebuilding their role in urban-household food security and the health and well-being of the urban populations. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Joyce Kiplagat University of Alberta Elizabeth Onyango University of Alberta |
