Women Street Food Vendors in India: Challenges, Opportunities, and Impact
Street food in India is a cornerstone of its cultural and culinary landscape. Among the vibrant food stalls, women vendors play an important role, contributing not only to the economy but also breaking societal norms in a male-dominated sector. This blog explores their contributions, challenges, and the role of MECS (Modern Energy Cooking Services) in offering more opportunities.
Role of Women Street Food Vendors
By analysing the total number of female street vendors in India and calculating the proportion involved in food vending comes out an estimate of 900,000 women street food vendors. This data reflects their significant contribution of women to the street food sector, provide affordable and accessible food to millions daily. While they make up about 20% of India’s street vendors, their presence is expanding, especially in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.[1] These women juggle entrepreneurship with domestic duties, often preparing ingredients at home to support their families. Many women are also “Invisible Street Vendors,” as they prepare food at home for their husbands or family members to sell as street food, often without direct visibility in the public vending process. If included in the count, they would significantly increase the actual number of female street food vendors in India.
Challenges Faced by Women Vendors
Despite their impact, these women face several challenges. Gender discrimination hinders their ability to secure prime locations, as societal biases work against them. Legal and financial barriers also persist, with a 2021 SEWA study revealing that fewer than 30% of these women have the necessary licenses, and many struggle to access credit.[2] Additionally, health and safety concerns abound, as polluted environments, long working hours, and reliance on biomass stoves contribute to health risks. Furthermore, these women often face exposure to harassment and theft, exacerbating their already difficult working conditions.
The Importance of Clean Cooking Solutions and Capacity Building
Traditional cooking methods, especially biomass stoves, not only pose serious health risks but also contribute to environmental degradation. Clean cooking technologies, such as electric or solar-powered cookstoves, offer a sustainable alternative by improving health, reducing operational costs, and increasing efficiency. The MECS programme (in-country partner Finovista), plays a crucial role in introducing these solutions to marginalized vendors, helping them reduce harmful pollutants and lower their expenses while contributing to climate goals.
However, the successful adoption of these clean cooking technologies requires comprehensive support, particularly in the form of capacity building. SEWA programs have trained over 10,000 women in financial literacy and sustainable cooking practices, equipping them with the skills needed to enhance their businesses.[3] Through partnerships with MECS, over 2,000 women have already benefited from the introduction of clean cookstoves, improving their health and productivity.[4] Government schemes like PM SVANidhi further empower women by providing microloans, helping them expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods, ensuring that the shift towards clean cooking is both effective and sustainable.
Stories of Resilience and Success
Women vendors have built inspiring success stories. Rajkumari Devi, who started with pickles in Bihar, now trains other women in sustainable food practices.[5] Sunita Devi, from Delhi, has spent 17 years building her street cart into a symbol of her journey from homemaker to entrepreneur.[6] Urvashi Yadav, a former school teacher turned street vendor in Gurgaon, now earns Rs 8 lakh annually, exemplifying success in a competitive space.[7] These women have shown resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, paving the way for others to follow in their footsteps.
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[1]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378690060_Status_of_Women_Street_Vendors_in_India_Issues_and_Challenges
[2] https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IC-Delhi-SV-Case-Study1.pdf
[3]https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/@emp_policy/documents/publication/wcms_234890.pdf
[4] https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/937141600195758792/pdf/The-State-of-Access-to-Modern-Energy-Cooking-Services.pdf
[5] https://hindi.thebetterindia.com/farmers-success-stories/kisan-chachi-padma-shri-rajkumari-devi-is-a-woman-farmer-from-bihar/
[6] https://mediaindia.eu/society/spicing-up-the-streets-women-vendors-stir-change-in-delhi/
[7] https://www.theweekendleader.com/Success/2711/super-street-seller.html