Gender challenges of Congolese migrant women informal traders in Durban

Women migrant informal traders face numerous vulnerabilities worldwide. In developing countries, women engaged in informal trading constitute a significant portion of the workforce within the informal economy. Many of these women originate from African countries and initially seek employment opportunities within South Africa's informal sector. This study aims to examine the participation of Congolese refugee women in the informal economy within local markets in Durban. Employing a qualitative research methodology, data was collected from ten Congolese women who confront various challenges, including family responsibilities, police harassment, documentation obstacles, and limited access to financial services. Participants were selected using snowball sampling between 2008 and 2009. The findings indicate that approximately 90% of the women engage in entrepreneurial activities to compensate for the lack of formal employment opportunities, thereby improving their livelihoods and contributing positively to the wider community. The study highlights the important role played by Congolese women in Durban’s informal economy and underscores the need for gender-responsive policies. Implementing such policies can empower women informal traders and support the socio-economic development of Durban.