As arguably one of the world’s largest contributors to the economy, the informal trading sector has the potential to build meaningful livelihoods that can shape the well-being of residents and cities.

‘Geographically, much of the informal sector population comprises of marginalised and historically disadvantaged groups and are well represented among street traders. Similarly, the role of women in street trade is significant, not only due to the prevailing number of women that engage in street trade but because of their noteworthy economic contributions and position as a vulnerable group,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

Keynote topics at the seminar included:

• Clothing manufacturing in the informal economy;
• Poverty, waste pickers and day labourers in the informal economy;
• Why waste is not rubbish and opportunities in recycling; and
• Women leading in the informal trading sector

‘This city-wide event was the first of its kind and celebrated women in informal trading, their contribution and the impact they make in their local communities. This past month has seen the demise of so many women in our beautiful city and we need to acknowledge that women are the backbone of our society. The time has come to advocate and raise awareness of the plight of women and that they should be uplifted. People must realise that women are shaping the political, economic and social structure of our country,’ added Alderman Twigg.

The objective of this seminar aimed to:

• Provide a platform to celebrate significant women within the informal trading economy.
• Identify and highlight the constraints and opportunities for women within the informal economy, especially within the manufacturing and recycling industry.
• Develop and identify programmes addressing these constraints.
• Showcase studies and stories of women, who despite all the challenges they face, have been successful in this competitive industry.

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