Image of Women Informal Garment Traders in Taveta Road, Nairobi: From the Margins to the Center

Economic Empowerment and Livelihood

Women Informal Garment Traders in Taveta Road, Nairobi: From the Margins to the Center

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Abstract: This article investigates the Taveta Road phenomenon, whereby women garment informal traders occupy a whole street in the central business district in Nairobi, Kenya. It also discusses the implications for urban planning of the presence of women informal traders in the central business district. The article demonstrates that the ability of these traders to move from the margins into the heart of the city is based on their ability to cross borders, organize collectively, and develop entrepreneurial skills that make use of social networks, group agency, and personal initiative. It also illustrates that over time, their gradual encroachment has led to an acceptance of their presence and their integration into the urban economy. These developments—which are referred to as “subaltern urbanism” or “solidarity entrepreneurialism”—have far-reaching implications in terms of the traders’ relationship with the city, state laws, and the national economy.

Résumé: Cet article examine le phénomène de la route Taveta, par lequel les femmes du commerce informel de vêtements occupent toute une rue dans le quartier des affaires du centre de Nairobi, au Kenya. L’article examine également les implications pour le plan d’urbanisme tenant compte de la présence des vendeuses informelles.

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Publication Information
: African Studies Review.,
Number of Pages
18
ISBN
-
Language
English
ISSN
-
Subject(s)
Informal Economy
urban Nairobi environment
Description
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Citation
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Type
Article
Part Of Series
-
DOI Identifier
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