Understanding the challenges faced by the millions of women working outside the formal sector. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/informal-economy/rss en Asset and Property Rights Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 19 Oct 2018 12:41:21 +0000 Dominic Kirui https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/19/the-informal-bank-that-empowers-kenyas-poorest-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/19/the-informal-bank-that-empowers-kenyas-poorest-women In Part 1 of a two-part report on the informal banks that help women secure financial stability, we look at a savings group in Kenya that grants independence to the women who join it. Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:03:22 +0000 Wesley Lang’at https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/05/riskier-when-the-lights-are-out-the-sharp-end-of-the-kadogo-trade https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/05/riskier-when-the-lights-are-out-the-sharp-end-of-the-kadogo-trade In part 2 of our report on the low-income food sellers of Nairobi, we examine the threats facing the women who provide this vital link in the food-security chain – and what the future may hold for them. Entrepreneurship Informal Economy Thu, 04 Oct 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Wesley Lang’at https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/04/women-run-kadogo-food-stalls-ensure-the-poor-are-fed-in-nairobi-slums https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/10/04/women-run-kadogo-food-stalls-ensure-the-poor-are-fed-in-nairobi-slums Kenyan women operate low-cost food kiosks that fulfill an essential function: providing hot food to people too poor to buy fuel to cook their own meals. But they often struggle to make ends meet, not least because some of their clients are unable to pay. Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Wed, 29 Aug 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Sophie Cousins, News Deeply Contributor https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/29/will-migrant-domestic-workers-in-the-gulf-ever-be-safe-from-abuse https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/29/will-migrant-domestic-workers-in-the-gulf-ever-be-safe-from-abuse The oil-rich Gulf States depend on the migrant labor of millions of domestic workers to cook, clean and care for children across the region. For those workers, the chance of a better life for their own families comes with the risk of exploitation, abuse, even slavery. Entrepreneurship Informal Economy Solutions Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:30:00 +0000 Kizito Makoye Shigela https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/03/street-cred-tanzanias-women-traders-get-chance-to-join-formal-economy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/08/03/street-cred-tanzanias-women-traders-get-chance-to-join-formal-economy The unofficial street traders of Dar Es Salaam used to endure insecure work conditions and harassment from militias. Now a government program is allowing them to make their businesses official for the first time. Asset and Property Rights Informal Economy Solutions Tue, 31 Jul 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Chhavi Sachdev https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/31/they-are-my-sisters-diary-of-a-land-rights-activist-in-rural-india https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/31/they-are-my-sisters-diary-of-a-land-rights-activist-in-rural-india Kamala Damor, or Sister Kamala, works with women and girls in rural Gujarat to help them access their right to property and inheritance. She tells her story to Chhavi Sachdev. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Solutions Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:10:25 +0000 Mahesh Bacham https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/19/indian-domestic-workers-unionize-to-secure-their-rights https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/19/indian-domestic-workers-unionize-to-secure-their-rights Nisha Mathews is a campaigner and hero to many women in Karnataka in India. She’s helped set up a union for domestic workers in the region, which today has more than 13,000 members. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Mon, 16 Jul 2018 12:30:00 +0000 Coby Jones, Rodrigue Rwirahira https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/16/as-u-s-and-rwanda-battle-over-used-clothes-garment-workers-lose-out https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/07/16/as-u-s-and-rwanda-battle-over-used-clothes-garment-workers-lose-out Rwanda’s attempts to boost its garment sector have sparked a trade war with Trump, and might have made it more difficult for women to get stable jobs in the nascent industry. Entrepreneurship Informal Economy Tue, 26 Jun 2018 16:00:00 +0000 Luke Dennison https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/26/drc-rape-survivors-take-on-stigma-through-starting-their-own-businesses https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/26/drc-rape-survivors-take-on-stigma-through-starting-their-own-businesses Sexual assault survivors are heavily stigmatized in the Democratic Republic of Congo. But by starting up their own small businesses, some women have been able to reintegrate into their communities, and feed their families. Informal Economy Solutions Wed, 30 May 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Tendai Marima https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/30/protesting-wives-win-backpay-for-husbands-and-training-for-themselves https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/30/protesting-wives-win-backpay-for-husbands-and-training-for-themselves In northeastern Zimbabwe, the wives of underpaid mine workers have staged a four-month sit-in to demand their husbands be paid their full wage. They’ve won the backpay – plus entrepreneurship training for themselves. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Wed, 23 May 2018 13:00:00 +0000 Lucia Benavides https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/23/as-senegals-fish-stocks-collapse-women-are-more-vulnerable-than-ever https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/23/as-senegals-fish-stocks-collapse-women-are-more-vulnerable-than-ever On the coast of Senegal, fish stocks have fallen by 80 percent in the past year alone. The women fish processors of the region have been hit hardest, with worrying consequences for food security and nutrition. Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Thu, 10 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000 Deepta Chopra https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/05/10/to-make-progress-on-womens-paid-work-we-need-to-focus-on-unpaid-care https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/05/10/to-make-progress-on-womens-paid-work-we-need-to-focus-on-unpaid-care Reaching gender equality in paid work means more than just giving women jobs – we need to put in place systems for public services and decent employment to allow women time and energy to care for their families, says Deepta Chopra of the Institute of Development Studies. Informal Economy Solutions Mon, 07 May 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Sam Mednick https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/07/i-have-to-come-and-help-diary-of-a-development-worker-in-south-sudan https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/07/i-have-to-come-and-help-diary-of-a-development-worker-in-south-sudan Gisma Magara works with women in Juba’s camp for people who have fled South Sudan’s civil war. She tells her story to Sam Mednick. Informal Economy Solutions Wed, 02 May 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Wesley Lang’at https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/02/new-kenya-uganda-border-post-gives-a-boost-to-women-traders https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/05/02/new-kenya-uganda-border-post-gives-a-boost-to-women-traders Women cross-border traders used to endure exploitation, abuse, and low income. But a new ‘one-stop’ border post that brings all customs activities together has increased engagement between the women and customs officials, making trading safer and more lucrative. Informal Economy Mon, 30 Apr 2018 10:50:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/30/women-hit-hardest-by-kenyas-tourism-slump https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/30/women-hit-hardest-by-kenyas-tourism-slump Kenya’s tourism industry has been crippled by terrorism and political violence and let down by lack of development. For the women who rely on the sector for their income, the question is whether they will ever again earn enough to support their families. Informal Economy Solutions Tue, 24 Apr 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Megan Clement, Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/04/24/healthcare-and-hygiene-two-ways-to-help-women-get-into-work https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/04/24/healthcare-and-hygiene-two-ways-to-help-women-get-into-work One is modernizing community healthcare in Zimbabwe; the other builds affordable toilets in Vietnam. But English Sall and Camilla Hagen, two philanthropists in the Maverick Collective, are driven by the same belief: women’s health is key to economic progress. Informal Economy Wed, 28 Mar 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Jihad Abaza https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/28/i-do-not-feel-free-the-women-trapped-in-domestic-work-in-egypt https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/28/i-do-not-feel-free-the-women-trapped-in-domestic-work-in-egypt They hear about the abuse and know they will be working illegally, but young women still travel to the Middle East to work as domestic workers. To help understand why, photojournalist Jihad Abaza documented the lives of three migrant women working for a family in Egypt. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Thu, 08 Mar 2018 04:30:00 +0000 Jennifer Rigby https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/08/one-day-three-women-a-whatsapp-story-about-work-and-equality https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/03/08/one-day-three-women-a-whatsapp-story-about-work-and-equality In our WhatsApp story for International Women’s Day, we used real-time updates to understand the challenges three women face during the course of a typical work day. Here we replicate the story with further insight into the obstacles that keep so many women from gaining stable and equal work. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Solutions Fri, 02 Mar 2018 11:30:00 +0000 Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/03/02/the-foundation-that-wants-women-to-ditch-handicrafts-and-get-political https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/03/02/the-foundation-that-wants-women-to-ditch-handicrafts-and-get-political Economic power and political power go hand-in-hand, says feminist activist Jessica Horn. If a development project wants to boost women’s economic participation, it needs to help them raise their voices, too. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Thu, 01 Mar 2018 13:30:00 +0000 Jumana Farouky https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/03/01/the-formal-economy-as-patriarchy-vandana-shivas-radical-vision https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/03/01/the-formal-economy-as-patriarchy-vandana-shivas-radical-vision To achieve economic equality, activist and author Vandana Shiva says we need to recognize the value of women’s work and start counting production, not just profits. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Fri, 23 Feb 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Jumana Farouky, Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/23/whatsapp-story-a-day-in-the-life-of-three-working-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/23/whatsapp-story-a-day-in-the-life-of-three-working-women On International Women’s Day, we’re broadcasting a 12-hour WhatsApp story about a day in the life of three working women. To sign up, message “NEWS DEEPLY” and your time zone to +1929-382-0011 using WhatsApp. Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Wed, 07 Feb 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/02/07/as-kenyas-cities-grow-women-risk-being-crowded-out-of-the-economy As delegates gather for this year’s World Urban Forum, one urgent question is how to ensure urbanization doesn’t make it even harder for women in the informal economy to earn money and support their families. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Unpaid Domestic and Care Work Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:22:18 +0000 Lara Setrakian https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/01/31/we-are-a-greedy-world-union-head-on-making-economics-work-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/community/2018/01/31/we-are-a-greedy-world-union-head-on-making-economics-work-for-women The head of the International Trade Union Confederation speaks to News Deeply about recognizing unpaid care, representing the rights of domestic workers, and what automation means for women. Equal Pay and Opportunity Financial Inclusion Informal Economy Fri, 26 Jan 2018 13:20:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly, Jumana Farouky, Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/26/deeply-talks-womens-advancement-in-2018-dispatch-from-davos https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/26/deeply-talks-womens-advancement-in-2018-dispatch-from-davos On our first episode of the year, we lay out the crucial issues on women’s economic advancement that we will examine in 2018, and discuss how #WEF18 did on gender this year, with a live dispatch from Davos. Asset and Property Rights Informal Economy Solutions Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Sophie Mbugua https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/the-village-that-gave-up-fgm-and-gender-taboos-because-of-economics https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/01/23/the-village-that-gave-up-fgm-and-gender-taboos-because-of-economics When the women of Rwandit village learned how much initiation ceremonies for girls and boys were really costing them – in terms of money and lost education – they radically reformed their traditions, giving women and girls more power in the process. Entrepreneurship Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Solutions Thu, 28 Dec 2017 03:00:00 +0000 Jihii Jolly https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/28/reading-list-our-top-20-stories-on-womens-economic-advancement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/28/reading-list-our-top-20-stories-on-womens-economic-advancement Our best economics stories from 2017, and a request for experts for our growing coverage in 2018. Entrepreneurship Informal Economy Solutions Tue, 26 Dec 2017 11:39:35 +0000 Sally Nyakanyanga https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/26/small-business-funding-gives-hope-to-zimbabwes-trafficking-survivors https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/26/small-business-funding-gives-hope-to-zimbabwes-trafficking-survivors When 32 Zimbabwean women escaped their abusive employers in Kuwait, they struggled to find work back home. A new initiative offers them money and support to start their own businesses or go to college. Entrepreneurship Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Solutions Fri, 22 Dec 2017 03:30:00 +0000 Megan Clement https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/22/2017-the-year-for-women-girls https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/12/22/2017-the-year-for-women-girls From the #metoo movement to abortion rights in Latin America, marriage rulings in India and humanitarian crises in East Africa and the Middle East, it’s been a blockbuster year for women and girls worldwide. Informal Economy Fri, 03 Nov 2017 12:15:27 +0000 Rodrigue Rwirahira https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/03/always-on-the-run-rwandas-street-sellers-targeted-for-harassment https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/11/03/always-on-the-run-rwandas-street-sellers-targeted-for-harassment Many of Rwanda’s illegal street vendors are women, many of whom are struggling to raise children alone. Now they’re in the crosshairs of a state crackdown, facing endemic sexual harassment. Equal Pay and Opportunity Informal Economy Mon, 16 Oct 2017 11:32:01 +0000 Dominic Kirui https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/10/16/daily-grind-women-stone-crushers-feed-demand-for-construction-in-kenya https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2017/10/16/daily-grind-women-stone-crushers-feed-demand-for-construction-in-kenya Political instability in Kenya is driving demand for new housing in provinces outside the major cities. And it’s increasingly women who are taking up tools to provide gravel to construction developers.