The Informal Economy Workers’ Forum of Ghana (INFORUM), in collaboration with the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI), has organized a Research Report Dissemination Workshop dubbed: “Women’s Voices and Leadership in Organizing Africa’s Informal Economy.”
The event, held in Accra, spotlighted findings from a comprehensive cross-country study on the challenges and leadership potential of women in the informal economy across six African countries: Ghana, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Tunisia, and South Africa.
Mrs. Deborah Freeman, Executive Secretary of INFORUM Ghana, speaking at the workshop stressed the the critical need to address the barriers faced by women in the informal sector.
She highlighted that 85% of Africa’s workforce operates in the informal economy, with women particularly enduring harsh living and working conditions.
Freeman stressed that despite progress towards gender equality in recent decades, women’s participation in the workforce remains low, with economic livelihoods still far below acceptable standards.
Context and Findings
The report revealed that women informal workers face significant hurdles, including long hours of labor for minimal income, inadequate access to essential services such as healthcare and education, and an overwhelming burden of domestic responsibilities.
These factors, according to Freeman, hinder women’s economic empowerment, making it difficult to break the cycle of poverty and inequality.
A key aspect of the research was its focus on promoting women’s leadership within the informal economy.
By partnering with informal workers’ unions and conducting surveys and focus groups, the study uncovered new data on the gender-based challenges faced by women and provided an evidence-based analysis to guide policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders toward achieving gender equality.
Key Research Insights
The study found that while many people acknowledge women’s capacity for leadership, with attributes such as communication skills and problem-solving abilities widely recognized, deep-rooted gender biases persist.
Notably, 33% of respondents believed women lacked leadership skills, and 51% rejected studies showing men did not outperform women on key leadership indicators. This reflects entrenched social norms that hinder women’s ascent into leadership roles.
Surprisingly, education alone did not significantly shift these gendered beliefs. The research showed that men’s attitudes toward women’s roles as caregivers remained largely unchanged regardless of their educational attainment, with only a slight variation between those with low and high education.
The transmission of gendered social norms across generations was also highlighted. The study found that men whose fathers shared household responsibilities were more likely to hold equitable views, suggesting that societal norms passed down through families play a larger role in shaping attitudes than formal education.
Barriers and Opportunities for Leadership
The study identified several factors crucial to promoting women’s leadership, including business success, income, and communication skills. These elements increased the likelihood of women becoming leaders in the informal economy. Other important factors included freedom of movement, the distribution of power within families, and awareness of issues such as sexual harassment and violence against women.
The research emphasized the need to raise awareness about these issues to foster an environment where women can lead and thrive in the informal sector.
Recommendations for Change
The report called for a multifaceted approach to tackling gender inequality in Africa’s informal economy. Key recommendations included:
- Advocating for a fair distribution of domestic and childcare responsibilities at home.
- Ensuring equal pay for equivalent work.
- Implementing policies that fully protect women from violence and harassment.
- Educating younger generations on the importance of gender equality.
- Increasing women’s access to resources such as external financing to support business success and leadership.
Mrs. Freeman concluded by calling on unions and stakeholders to continue uplifting women’s voices, particularly those of informal workers, to drive lasting change in attitudes and social norms.
Kofi Eba-Miezah Polley, Chief Operations Officer of the People’s Pension Trust, has underscored the vulnerability of women in the informal economy, citing deep-rooted social norms and financial barriers as key challenges they face.
In an interview, Polley expressed concern over the systemic disadvantages women endure, particularly in securing financial stability and social protection.
“Women in the informal sector are disproportionately affected by financial constraints and societal expectations, which limit their ability to save for the future and access necessary services,” Polley noted.
He emphasized that these hurdles are compounded by the lack of formal social safety nets, such as pensions, making women more vulnerable in later stages of life.
This report will go a long way in helping us understand and tackle the financial and social barriers women face.
Justice Baako Ntarmah, General Secretary and Head of Education International Relations, has stressed the urgent need for the Government of Ghana to sign a bilateral migration agreement with Gulf countries. This agreement, he emphasized, would ensure the full protection of Ghanaian migrants who travel to these nations for work.
In his statement, Ntarmah highlighted the growing number of Ghanaians seeking employment in the Gulf region and the associated risks they face due to the lack of formal protections. “The government must negotiate a bilateral migration agreement to safeguard the rights and well-being of our citizens abroad,” he stated.
Ntarmah’s call for action comes amid increasing concerns over the treatment of Ghanaian migrant workers in the Gulf, with reports of labor exploitation and abuse.
He urged the government to act swiftly, ensuring that Ghanaian migrants are provided with adequate legal protections and support.
The event was attended by representatives from partner organizations across Africa, including the Fédération des Travailleurs et Travailleuses de l’Economie Informelle du Côte d’Ivoire (FETTEI-CI), Petty Traders and Informal Workers Union of Liberia (FEPTIWUL), South Africa Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU), and others.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh