Unveiling power in the shadows: A South African lens on women’s empowerment in the precarious economic activities

Simangele MkhizeORCID iD

Issue: Vol. 7 No.9 2026 Article 11 pp.2629 – 2641
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267911Published online 28th October 2026

© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Views: 40
30 Downloads

DOWNLOAD PDF

In South Africa, women’s empowerment in the informal economy is an approach to poverty reduction and a catalyst for economic development. The existing literature highlights persistent systemic barriers to economic development across different geographical contexts, as well as the challenges entrepreneurs, particularly women, face in accessing infrastructure, education, and finance. Such barriers are a limitation to the economic participation of women-owned businesses, regardless of the important role these businesses play in supporting communities and families. Therefore, the study sought to examine the effects of responding to these barriers and how appropriate responses can improve economic outcomes and empower women in the informal economy in South Africa. The methodology for this study was quantitative and used closed-ended questionnaires, where a 95% response rate was obtained. The results indicate that increased institutional support, improved access to education, and greater access to finance are associated with better economic outcomes and women’s empowerment among the women in the study sample who participate in the informal economy in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. These aspects minimise the barriers and enhance business success and financial independence. The study recommends that responding to such barriers entails adjusting socio-cultural attitudes and implementing interventions that are gender sensitive to realise the capabilities of women in the informal economy. Future studies might examine regional differences in empowerment. This study contributes to scholarship by providing empirical evidence on women’s economic empowerment in the informal economy within a South African urban township context.

Keywords: Women Empowerment, Digitalisation, Informal Economy, Business Success

 

Adendorff, C M, Harvey Keown, and Ric Amansure. “The Development of a Socio-Economic Model to Promote Women’s Empowerment Initiatives in the Renewable Energy Sector of South Africa.” Journal of Energy in Southern Africa 31, no. 2 (2020): 34–47.

Alao, Abiodun, Wallace Chigona, and Roelien Brink. “Telecentres’ Contribution to Women’s Empowerment in Rural Areas of South Africa.” Information Technology for Development 28, no. 4 (October 2, 2022): 747–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2021.1991871.

Aliamutu, Kansilembo Freddy, and Msizi Vitalis Mkhize. “The Obstacles of Women Entrepreneurship on Empowerment in Rural Communities KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.” Indonesian Journal of Innovation and Applied Sciences (IJIAS) 4, no. 1 (April 27, 2024): 88–96. https://doi.org/10.47540/ijias.v4i1.1259.

Bobek, Vito, Andrea Schachl, and Tatjana Horvat. “The Impact of Women’s Economic Empowerment on the Rise of Female Entrepreneurship and Human Capital in South Africa.” International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy 1, no. 1 (2022): 1. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJDIPE.2022.10051340.

Chauke, Phineas K. “An Assessment of Survivalist Enterprises in the Capricorn District Municipality.” Development Southern Africa 32, no. 5 (2015): 613–22.

Commission for Gender Equality. Women in the South African Economy.  Commission for Gender Equality, 2024.

Deedat, Hameda. “Growing Informality and Women’s Work in South Africa.” In Informal Women Workers in the Global South, 68–87. Routledge, 2021.

Gama, André. “World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition,” 2024.

Govender, Vivagum, and Bongani R. Qwabe. “Local Economic Development And Rural Women In A Development Paradigm: A Perspective Of Vulindlela in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.” Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University 57, no. 5 (October 30, 2022): 53–69. https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.57.5.5.

International Labour Organization. “Women and the Economy: 30 Years after the Beijing Declaration (ILO Brief).” ILO, Geneva, 2025.

Kandolo, K. “The Impact of Financial Knowledge on the Economic Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.” Durban University of Technology, 2023.

Karp, Celia, Shannon N. Wood, Hadiza Galadanci, Simon Peter Sebina Kibira, Fredrick Makumbi, Elizabeth Omoluabi, Solomon Shiferaw, Assefa Seme, Amy Tsui, and Caroline Moreau. “‘I Am the Master Key That Opens and Locks’: Presentation and Application of a Conceptual Framework for Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in Reproductive Health.” Social Science & Medicine 258 (August 2020): 113086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113086.

Khonjelwayo, Mthunzi, and Sandile Zondi. “National Framework for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Policy as a Strategy for South African Local Government.” International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy (2687-2293) 7, no. 2 (May 2, 2025): 394–402. https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v7i2.748.

Listo, Romy. “Energy for Empowerment: The Role of Energy in Women’s Organising and Empowerment in Urban and Peri-Urban South Africa,” 2020.

Majola, Rebecca. “Analysis of Women Entrepreneurship in Township and Rural Areas in South Africa.” Journal of the International Council for Small Business 6, no. 3 (July 3, 2025): 383–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2024.2412280.

Masenya, Malesela Jim. “Empowerment and Access to Opportunities in South Africa: Can Gender Equality Be Achieved?” International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) 12, no. 7 (October 28, 2023): 405–12. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i7.2797.

Moussié, Rachel, and Laura Alfers. “Women Informal Workers Demand Child Care: Shifting Narratives on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Africa.” Agenda 32, no. 1 (2018): 119–31.

Ndhlovu, Tidings P., and Anita Spring. “South African Women in Business and Management: Transformation in Progress.” Journal of African Business 10, no. 1 (March 10, 2009): 31–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228910802701338.

Ngubane, S. “ The Implication of Women Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment Projects on Poverty Alleviation in South Africa: A Case Study of the Department of Small Business Development.”  Durban University of Technology, 2024.

Nhleko, Mary-Ann Nokulunga, Thabiso Sthembiso Msomi, and Sijuwade Adedayo Ogunsola. “Challenges of Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa: Evidence from Rural Areas.” International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science 4, no. 5 (September 30, 2023): 1398–1407. https://doi.org/10.38142/ijesss.v4i5.796.

Okeke-Uzodike, Obianuju E, and Mogie Subban. “Cluster Initiative Management: A Potential for African Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Sector.” Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit 34, no. 5 (August 8, 2019): 421–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094219864082.

Ranganathan, Meghna, Louise Knight, Tanya Abramsky, Lufuno Muvhango, Tara Polzer Ngwato, Mpho Mbobelatsi, Giulia Ferrari, Charlotte Watts, and Heidi Stöckl. “Associations Between Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment and Intimate Partner Violence: Findings From a Microfinance Plus Program in Rural North West Province, South Africa.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 36, no. 15–16 (August 27, 2021): 7747–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519836952.

Raniga, Tanusha. “Experiences of Women in Precarious Employment in South Africa’s Economy.” Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development 34, no. 1 (March 15, 2022). https://doi.org/10.25159/2708-9355/8847.

Rogan, Michael, and Laura Alfers. “Gendered Inequalities in the South African Informal Economy.” Agenda 33, no. 4 (October 2, 2019): 91–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/10130950.2019.1676163.

Rogerson, Jayne M., and Christian M. Rogerson. “Women Informal Business Tourists in Urban Southern Africa.” Tourism 73, no. 1 (January 29, 2025): 113–25. https://doi.org/10.37741/t.73.1.8.

Sharaunga, S., M. Mudhara, and A. Bogale. “Conceptualisation and Measurement of Women’s Empowerment Revisited.” Journal of Human Development and Capabilities 20, no. 1 (January 2, 2019): 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/19452829.2018.1546280.

Statistics South Africa. “Advancing Gender Equality through Financial Inclusion,” 2025. https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=18726&utm.

Valodia, Imraan. “Economic Policy and Women’s Informal Work in South Africa.” Development and Change 32, no. 5 (November 16, 2001): 871–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7660.00230.

Williams, Eunice, Heini Vaisanen, and Sabu S. Padmadas. “Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Cross-National Population Data.” Demographic Research 47 (September 15, 2022): 415–52. https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2022.47.15.

Dr. Mkhize is a Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with the University of South Africa (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies and is a researcher whose work focuses on leadership, digitalisation, technological transformation, organisational communication, organisational behaviour, and women’s empowerment. Dr. Mkhize has extensive experience in higher education, having held academic and administrative roles. Her professional background also includes experience in project controls and procurement within the energy and infrastructure sector, involving contract administration, procurement processes, supplier coordination, and project documentation management. She employs both quantitative and qualitative research approaches and is committed to interdisciplinary scholarship examining leadership and organisational responses to technological and societal transformation.

Mkhize, Simangele. “Unveiling power in the shadows: A South African lens on women’s empowerment in the precarious economic activities.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.9 (2026): 2629 – 2641. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20267911

© 2026 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Articles in this Issue

About Journal