Gender Dimensions of Informal Cross Border Trade in West-African Sub-Region (ECOWAS) Borders

Olabisi, Yusuff (2014) Gender Dimensions of Informal Cross Border Trade in West-African Sub-Region (ECOWAS) Borders. Journal of Women's Entrepreneurship and Education (1-2). pp. 132-152. ISSN 1821-1283

[img] Text
14_jwe_1-2_7.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (162kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the dynamics of women in cross border trade along ECOWAS sub region. West African region is noted significantly for high volume of trade that goes on within its borders on daily basis, and it involves formal and informal trade. However, informal trade is an integral, but unrecognized component of ECOWAS economic activities. Over, sixty percent of women are into informal trading across ECOWAS sub region, yet, there is gap in literature on the dynamics of these regional women traders across sub- ECOWAS region. Using qualitative method of data collection, a significant number of women traders in informal cross border in sub ECOWAS region were interviewed on their motivations, trade operations, challenges, and coping strategies. The findings reveal that there are several insecurities posed by informalities of women trading practices. These insecurities are associated with activities of law- enforcement agents and touts coupled with the facts that women traders are not knowledgeable about the procedures that guide international trade. Despite several challenges posed by informal cross border trade, women traders had devised coping strategies to negotiate these challenges as majority of women are using the income to support themselves, their spouses, training their children and above all enabled them to live above poverty level, which is one of millennium goals. The paper recommend that informal economic activities of women in cross border trade needs to recognized for holistic policy to be formulated and, women need vigorous education on the law that guide the rules and procedures of regional trade.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: COBISS.ID=207722764
Uncontrolled Keywords: dynamics, informal, cross border, women, sub- ecowas region
Research Department: ?? H1 ??
Depositing User: Jelena Banovic
Date Deposited: 10 Jun 2016 12:28
Last Modified: 10 Jun 2016 12:28
URI: http://ebooks.ien.bg.ac.rs/id/eprint/528

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item