The Challenges Faced by Women Street Vendors in Warwick Junction, Durban

Abstract

Warwick Junction in Durban is a hive of informal sector activity, mainly street vending, which sustains several families in and around Durban. There is an abundance of literature on street vending as part of the informal sector. Challenges specific to women engaged in vending at Warwick Junction have attracted little attention in the new millennium. A qualitative study using interviewing was conducted with ten purposefully sampled women participants. The aim was to describe the challenges faced by women vendors. This study reports findings and provides a set of recommendations. Several threats were identified and categorised into four broad themes, namely; financial challenges, competitive pressure, social challenges and infrastructural challenges. This paper provides short term and long-term recommendations.