DVA4805 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number: 208522
Due date: 23 July 2025
CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN SOWETO AND
POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EMPOWERMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The informal economy plays a major role in supporting households and communities in
South Africa, especially for women living in townships like Soweto. Many women here work
as informal traders, hairdressers, domestic workers, food vendors, and home-based care
workers. Although this work helps them survive, it also brings serious challenges. This essay
presents findings from interviews with five women working in the informal sector in Soweto.
It groups the challenges they raised into key themes and provides policy guidelines to help
improve their working conditions and empower them economically.
2. Methodology
Five women in Soweto who work in different informal jobs were interviewed. To protect their
privacy, their names and exact businesses are not revealed. The interviews were semi-
structured and focused on the difficulties they face, their coping strategies, and what support
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN SOWETO
AND POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EMPOWERMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The informal economy plays a major role in supporting households and communities
in South Africa, especially for women living in townships like Soweto. Many women
here work as informal traders, hairdressers, domestic workers, food vendors, and
home-based care workers. Although this work helps them survive, it also brings
serious challenges. This essay presents findings from interviews with five women
working in the informal sector in Soweto. It groups the challenges they raised into
key themes and provides policy guidelines to help improve their working conditions
and empower them economically.
2. Methodology
Five women in Soweto who work in different informal jobs were interviewed. To
protect their privacy, their names and exact businesses are not revealed. The
interviews were semi-structured and focused on the difficulties they face, their coping
strategies, and what support they believe would help them most. The findings were
then grouped into themes that commonly appeared across the interviews.
3. KEY THEMES AND CHALLENGES
3.1 Lack of Access to Finance
All five women mentioned that getting capital to start or grow their businesses was
extremely difficult. They do not qualify for formal bank loans because they do not
have payslips, business registration documents, or collateral. As a result, they
depend on borrowing from informal lenders at high interest rates.
This problem is common among informal workers across Africa. According to Bonnet
(2019), many women cannot access affordable financial services due to their
unregistered businesses and low earnings.
3.2 Poor Working Conditions
Unique Number: 208522
Due date: 23 July 2025
CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN SOWETO AND
POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EMPOWERMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The informal economy plays a major role in supporting households and communities in
South Africa, especially for women living in townships like Soweto. Many women here work
as informal traders, hairdressers, domestic workers, food vendors, and home-based care
workers. Although this work helps them survive, it also brings serious challenges. This essay
presents findings from interviews with five women working in the informal sector in Soweto.
It groups the challenges they raised into key themes and provides policy guidelines to help
improve their working conditions and empower them economically.
2. Methodology
Five women in Soweto who work in different informal jobs were interviewed. To protect their
privacy, their names and exact businesses are not revealed. The interviews were semi-
structured and focused on the difficulties they face, their coping strategies, and what support
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR IN SOWETO
AND POLICY GUIDELINES FOR EMPOWERMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The informal economy plays a major role in supporting households and communities
in South Africa, especially for women living in townships like Soweto. Many women
here work as informal traders, hairdressers, domestic workers, food vendors, and
home-based care workers. Although this work helps them survive, it also brings
serious challenges. This essay presents findings from interviews with five women
working in the informal sector in Soweto. It groups the challenges they raised into
key themes and provides policy guidelines to help improve their working conditions
and empower them economically.
2. Methodology
Five women in Soweto who work in different informal jobs were interviewed. To
protect their privacy, their names and exact businesses are not revealed. The
interviews were semi-structured and focused on the difficulties they face, their coping
strategies, and what support they believe would help them most. The findings were
then grouped into themes that commonly appeared across the interviews.
3. KEY THEMES AND CHALLENGES
3.1 Lack of Access to Finance
All five women mentioned that getting capital to start or grow their businesses was
extremely difficult. They do not qualify for formal bank loans because they do not
have payslips, business registration documents, or collateral. As a result, they
depend on borrowing from informal lenders at high interest rates.
This problem is common among informal workers across Africa. According to Bonnet
(2019), many women cannot access affordable financial services due to their
unregistered businesses and low earnings.
3.2 Poor Working Conditions
