Socioeconomic advancement of women in the informal sector in Hosanna City, Ethiopia

Abstract

The informal sector serves as a vital source of employment for women, contributing to poverty reduction and household income. However, women in the informal sector often encounter numerous barriers that limit their socio-economic advancement. Hence, this study explores how participation in informal businesses affect women's socioeconomic status, in case of Hossana City, Ethiopia. A purposive and convenient sampling technique was used to select a sample of kebeles and respondents. The descriptive analysis results indicate that majority of women reported improvements in their socioeconomic status since engaging in informal business. The logistic regression results indicate that age, work experience, income, savings, access to capital and credit, market access, and migration are a key factors influencing s socioeconomic advancement. The study underscores the importance of supportive policies and resources to economically empower women in the informal sector, pointing out the need for targeted interventions to tackle gender-specific barriers and promote sustainable development.