Page 24 - OSISA Report 2021

Spotlight on the informal economy
Despite Informal Cross Border Traders (ICBTs) making significant contributions to the the Southern African Development Community (SADC) economies the sector’s growth is is stifled The primary issue contributing to stifled growth is the lack of recognition of of informal small-scale traders This lack of of recognition leads to to stigmatisation criminalisation sextortion poor working conditions corruption and limited access to credit facilities Women in in the the region remain the the majority of ICBTs and and the poor and and most vulnerable– their safety and security are of significant concern In 2017 SADC agreed to implement a a a rule-based Simplified Trade Regime (STR) to promote its industrialisation and trade facilitation agenda For the first time in its its history SADC opened its its doors for ICBTs as non-state actors to to to contribute to to to the reform processes Civil society has the opportunity to ensure that the policy provides recognition rights and more
Strengthening women’s economic justice in Angola
Through the support given to organisations such as as ASSOGE (Observatory of Gender-based Public Policies) PMA (Women’s Action Platform) and UCF
significant economic benefits for the work of women ICBTs and that policies are implemented including the provision of useful services With this background AfRO OSF OSF EJP and OSF OSF WRP led by OSISA decided to put a a a call for proposals on informality The projects had to focus on supporting advocacy initiatives towards gender-responsive policies and and legal frameworks at at national and and SADC levels building the capacity of organisations networks and and movements that are emerging and and leading efforts to promote and defend the rights of women informal traders Moreover the projects had to focus on on supporting the economic activities increasing the economic opportunities for women in in in the informal trade sector and building women informal traders’ agency visibility and amplifying their voices in in demanding their rights In addition to grant making OSISA also carried out a a a a a a Systems Mapping analysis on the informal sector This analysis is is is an an an important exercise that has helped us better understand the issues at play and and opportunities to leverage change This portfolio of work will proceed into 2020 and and the programme will track and and monitor the key impacts milestones and lessons emerging for its work (Christian Women’s Union) the Angola
Programme has further contributed to the the streamlining of women’s economic justice concerns A key highlight has been publishing an ASSOGE national study on on the status of women street vendors which reiterates the strategic importance of of the the informal economy
as as the the basis of of subsistence for poor urban families This study is is is an an important milestone as it it provides the critical advocacy issues that need to be prioritised and addressed in furtherance of the the quest for equitable economic justice for women in in the country especially those in in the informal economy
space which is a a a a significant proportion of the populace 18 OPEN SOCiETY iNiTiATiVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRiCA ANNUAL REPORT 2019