Women in Informal Cross-Border Trade Face Abuse and Exploitation in Southern Africa, Says Amnesty International

Women's Rights Advocacy in Southern Africa

Amnesty International (AI) released a report exposing widespread human rights violations against women involved in Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The report, highlights physical assault, sexual harassment, and economic exploitation as common experiences for these women, often perpetrated by both state and non-state actors.

According to the report, these systemic failures prevent women in ICBT from exercising their basic human rights and achieving decent work conditions. Amnesty International urges the named countries to enact policies that prioritize human rights principles and ensure the safety and well-being of women in the informal cross-border trade sector.

The report coincides with International Women’s Day (March 8th) and underscores the ongoing challenges women face in achieving economic empowerment and equality. It emphasizes the critical role ICBT plays in regional economies, with women constituting a significant majority (60-90%) of those involved in cross-border trade. Despite its potential for poverty alleviation, the sector exposes women to various forms of abuse and exploitation.

“Women engaged in ICBT frequently face physical assault, sexual harassment, and intimidation, often at the hands of state officials, including border authorities,” the report states. This vulnerability, coupled with limited access to justice mechanisms, exposes a glaring gap in state protection for these women.

The lack of robust legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms further exacerbates the situation, as Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, points out: “The absence of robust legal frameworks and effective enforcement mechanisms further amplifies the injustices experienced by women in the ICBT sector.”

The report delves deeper, uncovering economic exploitation through practices like bribery, theft, and arbitrary confiscation of goods. Furthermore, it highlights the lack of social security provisions for women in the informal sector, particularly concerning maternity leave and childcare support. This lack of social safety nets significantly hinders their ability to achieve an adequate standard of living.

“Social security systems in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe favor formal workers, leaving many in the informal sector without adequate assistance,” Chagutah adds. “A gendered impact of this is the lack of social protection measures to cover contingencies like maternity for workers in the informal economy.”

The research also identifies a prevalence of male leadership in informal cross-border trader associations, raising concerns about the equitable representation of women in policy discussions and decision-making processes. The report acknowledges empowerment initiatives by the Zimbabwean government but highlights their shortcomings due to corruption and limited access to funding for women in the informal sector.

Financial inclusion is a key area requiring focus, as emphasized by Zimbabwe’s Women Affairs and Community Development Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa: “There is a need to employ a variety of approaches to address the various challenges faced by our women which include financial inclusion that is critical.”