Women Street Vendors in Smart Cities

Abstract

People from other geographic areas are drawn to ever-expanding urban amalgamations as desirable places to work. Most of these migrants struggle to find employment in the formal, organised sector due to a lack of education, skills, or both. Additionally, a large number of people in highly populated cities struggle with unemployment for a variety of reasons. A few of these motives inspire both men and women to start street vending. Street vending has always been a part of our customs and culture.More recently, food items, fruits and vegetables, toys, clothing, wool carpets, and even electronics have been sold on the streets. An essential part of our sociocultural and economic lives are street vendors. It is estimated that street vendors make up around 2 percent of the inhabitants of a town and have a substantial economic impact. Nevertheless, it is challenging to quantify the number of street vendors and their economic contribution. In India, street hawking is a major source of income for millions of people, particularly women. The street vending industry is beset by a number of problems that keep women from reaching their full potential. These problems include inadequate infrastructure, harassment by the government, discrimination based on gender, lack of legal recognition, restricted access to financing, and worries about occupational health and safety. This study looks at the socio-economic characteristics of women street vendors and challenges women street vendors’ encounter in smart cities. The paper goes into great detail about these problems, emphasizing the need for an all-encompassing strategy that includes infrastructure and service investments, education and training for women street vendors, and changes to laws and policies. The study also stresses how critical it is to acknowledge the value that female street vendors bring to society and the economy and to safeguard their rights and dignity. We can enable women street vendors to achieve independence and enjoy satisfying lives by tackling these issues.

Introduction

The concept of smart cities has revolutionized urban development by integrating advanced technologies, sustainability, and citizen engagement. A smart city is marked by efficient transportation, connected infrastructure, citizen participation, environmental friendliness, and economic competitiveness. Originating in the 1990s, the term has evolved alongside digital and ICT advancements.

In India, the Smart Cities Mission launched in 2015 aims to transform 100 cities by 2030 through inclusive urban planning across institutional, physical, social, and economic dimensions. However, critics argue that informal workers—especially street vendors—are often neglected in this modernization push, despite forming a large part of the urban economy.

Street Vendors and Their Role:

Street vendors are individuals who sell goods or services in public spaces without a permanent structure. They are also known as hawkers, peddlers, or pheriwalas and typically operate in informal settings. These vendors are vital to urban life, offering accessible products and services, especially to low-income populations. Many have turned to vending due to job losses from globalization and lack of formal employment opportunities.

Women Street Vendors:

Women engage in street vending for reasons like financial need, lack of education, and minimal barriers to entry. Despite their contribution, they face numerous challenges:

• Poor working conditions (lack of sanitation, health hazards, insecurity).

• Limited rights protection, though some acknowledge government efforts.

• Health issues such as migraines, stress, and hypertension due to long hours and unsafe environments.

• Harassment, mostly from customers or fellow vendors, not authorities.

Case Study Findings (Ludhiana & Chandigarh):

Data was collected via interviews and questionnaires among women vendors. Key insights include:

• Most are aged 40–55 and married with over 5 years of experience.

• They sell items like jewelry, toys, clothes, and crafts, mostly as stationary vendors.

• Many lack access to toilets, water, or storage facilities.

• Majority feel safe working late due to family support.

• Most suffer from health issues but lack medical evaluations.

• They suggest improvements through government support, NGOs, and vendor associations.

Conclusion

It can be summed up that majority of them were of more than 40 years of age. Most of the respondents had a total work experience of more than 5 years. Amongst whom a majority were engaged in selling women accessories and under garments. In addition the major challenges faced by them were lack of basic amenities. And threat to their market existence that is decreased demand for their goods. These street vendors also faced challenges related to the inadequacy of space, sanitation and work place security. However these respondents also stated that they receive some form of help from the government. They also stated that they have faith on their government and they are keenly looking forward for their support and guidance.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Nidhi Saroop. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.