Synthesis of pilot studies on compilation of statistics on women in the informal sector in industry, trade and services in Four African countries : working draft

Abstract

This document is a working draft from May 1990, prepared by the Economic Commission for Africa, the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, and the United Nations Statistical Office. It synthesizes pilot studies on the compilation of statistics on women in the informal sector in industry, trade, and services across four African countries: Burkina Faso, Congo, The Gambia, and Zambia. The report aims to quantify women's economic contributions in the informal sector, using data from specialized surveys, national accounts, and population censuses. It highlights the challenges in data collection, such as the lack of sex-disaggregated data and the need for standardized definitions of the informal sector. The document provides detailed tables and estimates, emphasizing the importance of women's participation in the informal economy and the need for improved statistical methodologies to better inform policy-making and economic planning.