Working Women in an Urban Setting: Traders, Vendors and Food Security in Accra

Levin, Carol E.; Ruel, Marie T.; Morris, Saul S.; Maxwell, Daniel G.; Armar-Klemesu, Margaret; Ahiadeke, Clement

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Title:	Working Women in an Urban Setting: Traders, Vendors and Food Security in Accra
Authors:	Levin, Carol E. Ruel, Marie T. Morris, Saul S. Maxwell, Daniel G. Armar-Klemesu, Margaret Ahiadeke, Clement
Year:	1999
Periodical:	World Development
Volume:	27
Issue:	11
Period:	November
Pages:	1977-1991
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	gender relations food security urban areas household income urban households Urbanization and Migration Women's Issues Economics and Trade Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Development and Technology Labor and Employment Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) economics urbanization Cultural Roles
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(99)00096-0
Abstract:	Data collected from a 1997 household survey carried out in Accra, Ghana, are used to look at the crucial role that women play as income earners and securing access to food in urban areas. Livelihood strategies for both men and women are predominantly labour based and dependent on social networks. For all households in the sample, food is still the most important item in the total budget. Yet, important differences between men's and women's livelihoods and expenditure patterns exist. Compared to men, women are less likely to be employed as wage earners, and more likely to work as street food vendors or petty traders. Women earn lower incomes, but tend to allocate more of their budget to basic goods for themselves and their children, while men spend more on entertainment for themselves only. Despite lower incomes and additional demands on their time as housewives and mothers, female-headed households, petty traders and street food vendors have the largest percentage of food-secure households, but at what cost? They are among the most vulnerable groups in greater Accra. Ways to reduce these women's vulnerability are suggested in conclusion. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum.