Mobility matters: women's livelihood strategies in Porto Novo, Benin

Abstract

This article examines the importance of mobility in the creation of profitable livelihood strategies for women in Porto Novo, Benin. Drawing on surveys and interviews conducted in the late 1990s with over 500 women who use a wide array of strategies, I demonstrate that the importance of mobility to women's livelihood strategies is variable depending on the types of activities in which women are engaged. Specifically, where trade is a central part of a livelihood strategy the type of goods sold mediates the relative importance of mobility. The article also considers the ways in which socio‐economic settings differentially shape women's ability to be mobile. The research further contributes to feminist scholarship by examining the spatialities of social and economic processes in the creation of women's livelihood strategies.

Notes

Correspondence: Jennifer L. Mandel, Department of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124 2221, USA; Tel: [phone]; e‐mail: [email protected]

‘Mamabenz’ is a term frequently used throughout West Africa to refer to very wealthy women traders whose ownership and use of Mercedes Benz cars is one of their trademarks.

An entrepôt state as defined by Igue and Soule (1992) is one in which a mainstay of the economy is the importation and exportation of goods. Much of this activity happens through women's informal trade activities in which they travel to other countries within the region to import goods and either sell them locally or re‐export them to other countries within the region.

Household is defined as all persons living under the same roof, who eat together.

I have changed their names to protect their anonymity. However, I owe them both a tremendous debt as this work would not have been possible without their assistance. In addition to their help in conducting surveys and interviews, they were instrumental in developing a questionnaire that was culturally sensitive and simultaneously allowed me to obtain the information necessary for the study.

Beginning in July 2000 the ESAFs changed to poverty reduction and growth facilities (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2002).

These figures reflect official data only and probably under‐represent the true proportion of Beninois women working in trade activities as they only account for those engaged in the formal sector.

Tied to French franc at CFA fr 50=1 French franc (Allen, 1989).

Here work is defined as income‐generating activities.

Self‐reported starting and current capital is accepted as valid in this study because several researchers have clearly demonstrated that traders have a very strong sense of what they have invested in their enterprises (see, for example, Robertson 1990, 1997; Clark, 1994; Harris‐White, 2003).

Jovo is the slang term for white person. The Market name reflects the belief that no one other than a dead person would have no further use for their clothes and the fact that the clothes all come from Western (white) countries.

Names have been changed to protect anonymity.

Gari is a grain made from manioc (sometimes called cassava), which is used in many staple foods. It is arguably the most important staple eaten in that part of Benin.

Alcohol refers to a locally produced variety called Sodabi, which is distilled from palm wine.

Official marriage refers to one sanctioned through religious, civil, and/or customary ceremony. Most women in Benin are not officially married, as it is very expensive.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer L. Mandel

Correspondence: Jennifer L. Mandel, Department of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124 2221, USA; Tel: [phone]; e‐mail: [email protected]