Silent Struggle of the Informal Workers: Everyday Lived Experiences, Challenges and Negotiation of the Women Street Vendors in Thimphu City, Bhutan

Abstract

This chapter analyses the everyday lived experiences and challenges of women street vendors in Thimphu City. Unlike other cities in the world, street vending is relatively a recent phenomenon in Thimphu City, though trading activities of different types are practiced since the early days in the country. The country has no established rules and regulations regarding street vending; nonetheless, such activity is not permitted in Thimphu City. This chapter presents the findings of a study conducted, involving questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussion (FGD), in Thimphu City. Challenges and concerns of the women street vendors are multifaceted in nature, brought on by the lack of administrative support system, social limitation and physical aspects such as harsh weather and climatic condition inter alia. Challenges faced by the women street vendors are therefore seldom discussed in the public discourse. In the shadow of threats and uncertainties posed by social stigmatisation, lack of administrative support system and harsh climatic conditions, street vending persists having no alternatives available in the city. Given the potential of street vending activities and the role women in the Bhutanese society, it is argued that integration of such invisible entrepreneurships in the mainstream urban economy is crucial to achieving economic and social sustainability.