| dc.description.abstract | This study was on the factors that influence women's participation in the informal sector
in Funyula Division of Busia District. The study aimed at investigating the socio-cultural
and socio-economic factors that influence informal trade among women. Specifically, the
study sought to examine the following factors: demographic factors such as age, marital
status and number of dependants; cultural factors as beliefs and perceptions and
economic factors such as education and training, husband's occupation and property
ownership.
Primary data was collected between the months of December 2006 and February 2007.
The study design was cross-sectional and adopted both qualitative and quantitative
methods of data collection where both interview guides and structured questions were
used. In-depth information was obtained through focus group discussions and case
studies, which collaborated the findings from the structured questionnaires. Secondary
data was obtained through the review of the existing literature on the informal sector. The
literature consisted of documents, books, journals and the Internet.
Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and the findings presented III direct
quotations and ethnographic summaries. On the other hand, quantitative data was
analyzed using the SPSS computer programme and findings presented in tables of
frequencies and percentages.
The study findings suggest that factors like age, marital status, number of dependants,
husband's occupation, property ownership, level of education and training, affect
women's trade activities in a significant way. However, factors such as beliefs and
perceptions do not bring about any significant drawback on trade. This could be
attributed to factors such as change in socio-economic trends and disintegration of
social networks like the extended families, which were important avenues for families
to live cohesively by sharing resources with other family members.
The study, therefore, recommends that policies should be designed by the government
to involve other sectors in the promotion and growth of the informal sector. The study
also recommends further research in other areas of the country so that issues of
economic empowerment of women can be documented and their problems tackled
from a national perspective. | en |
