Challenges and Opportunities of Women Participating in the Informal Sector in Malaysia: A Case on Women Street Vendors in Penang

Abstract

This paper will discuss the challenges and opportunities of women participating in the informal sector in
Penang, Malaysia. This study gave special importance to women street vendors located in Central District
of Seberang Perai, Penang. The study employed the case study research design which is entirely a
qualitative approach. The data were collected from purposively selected interviews specifically using
convenience sampling techniques. The data were obtained through semi-structured interview, audio
recordings and transcripts from focus group sessions. Thematic qualitative analysis technique has been
employed to analyze the data. The study found that the major challenges of women street vendors are
financial difficulties, social security protection, damage of goods, violating the usage of public spaces and
others. Despite of all these challenges these women street vendors are very positive about their business.