Women in the Informal Sector of Takaungu

Abstract

The main issues that were undertaken in the research concentrated on the economic power of the women in this town: how, when and why they began their business, where the profits of their labor went to, etc. As the research evolved I realized that some of these women were participating in the biashara through other means, such as sewing and the selling of water. I also became acutely aware of the differences between the two ethnic group of the area, and attempt to inquire deeper into the differences within the marketing strategies of the Giriama and Muslim women. During the time in which I would research, the time of Ramadan would begin. This is the month in which the Islamic community fasts during the daylight hours and then eats a tremendous meal in the evening just after sunset, and then usually another meal later in the night. Food is generally not to be made in the morning, nor is it to be given or sold to people until the late afternoon hours, when people would be preparing to break the fast. I was curious as to how this would effect the women who sold foods that were mostly sold in the morning. Would this income be stopped? Would they attempt to sell a different food that would be more appropriate for the breaking of the fast in the evening? I was also curious to see how this would effect the biashara of the town in general.