ASSESSING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIOCULTURAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS ON WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE IN THE SECOND-HAND CLOTHES TRADE: A CASE STUDY OF DEDZA CENTRAL MARKET

This article synthesizes the findings of a study investigating the dual influence of sociocultural and economic factors on women entrepreneurs in the second-hand clothes (kaunjika) trade at Dedza Central Market in Malawi. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach with 74 women traders, the research reveals that a complex environment where deep-seated sociocultural norms and acute economic constraints intersect to shape business participation and performance. These conditions often influence women’s access to opportunities, decision-making power, income stability, long-term business sustainability, market participation, profitability, and financial independence within Malawi’s informal trading environment. A critical finding is the significant gender gap in access to formal capital, forcing a majority of women to rely on precarious, high-cost informal financial networks. Furthermore, the study identifies a contradictory empowerment dynamic: while women demonstrate strong agency in daily business decisions, their ability to grow and scale their enterprises is systematically limited by a dual burden of domestic responsibilities and structural economic barriers. These findings challenge simplistic narratives of the informal sector, positioning the kaunjika trade as a site of both resilience and persistent inequality. The article concludes that effective interventions must move beyond isolated support to implement integrated strategies that simultaneously address economic access, social norms, and practical burdens. The recommendations of the article include the development of collateral-free financial products, business training coupled with childcare support, and community-led dialogues to shift restrictive gender norms, thereby fostering a more equitable and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem for Malawian women.
Keywords: Women Entrepreneurship, Informal Economy, Kaunjika Trade, Gender Norms, Financial Exclusion, Economic Empowerment, Malawi