Socio-economic Characteristics of women working in the informal sector (Case study: District 2, Rasht)

Along with increasing population of cities, informal employment is considered to be an integral part of the economy of the cities, which is known as a source of subsistence for poor families of the each city. A considerable part of informal labor force consists of street vendors throughout the world, working in public spaces of the cities. Most of them are women. In this study, women street vendors have been investigated as one of the aspects of informal businesses. It also aims to scrutinize the social-economical characteristics of women working in the informal sector in district two of Rasht, streets and places where they sell their products, and also their geographical origins. The method is survey with descriptive-analytical approach. Data collection tool is questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis findings are as follows: Most of studied woman are either illiterate or unlearned. Most of them live in rural areas of Rasht. Most of them are between 40 and 59. Most of them are the only financial supplier for their households. More than half of studied population sells vegetables and other sorts of perishable substances. Respectively the streets of Sardar-E-Jangal, Motahari, and Shariati are hosting the most women working as street vendors. Most of them are from villages.