Female Porters Research Articles

Assessment of Socio-Economic Gender Issues Affecting Women’s Participation in Alpine Tourism: A Case Study of Mt. Kenya National Park

The study sought to investigate the socio-economic gender issues affecting women's participation in alpine tourism in Mt. Kenya National Park. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the social gender issues affecting women's participation in alpine tourism and to analyse the economic gender issues affecting women's participation in alpine tourism. The study used a descriptive research design, and data was collected through structured closed-ended questionnaires distributed to 133 women participating in alpine tourism activities. 107 questionnaires were duly filled and returned. Structured interviews were conducted with the officials of Kenya Wildlife Service and the leaders of Mt. Kenya Guides and Porters Association. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis, and quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that the marital status of the female mountain crew was the dominant social gender issue affecting women's participation in alpine tourism as most guides, porters and cooks were unmarried, and for those who were married, the majority of them experienced challenges relating to balancing work and family responsibilities. The study also established that there is a wage disparity between men and women working as guides, porters, and cooks. The study recommends the need for policy makers to implement policies that promote gender equality in the workplace, ensuring equal opportunities for women to engage in alpine tourism activities such as guiding, portering and cooking.In addition, the study recommends the need to develop family-friendly policies which enable married women to fully participate in alpine tourism activities without compromising their family duties. The study also recommends the need for the Nyeri County Department of Tourism, Trade, Culture and Cooperative Development in partnership with Mt. Kenya Guides and Porters Association, to organise short course training on mountaineering and capacity-building programs to enhance the English language proficiency of female porters and cooks, thereby improving their communication skills and enabling them to interact more effectively with tourists. The study further recommends the need for Mt. Kenya Guides and Porters Association to undertake a sensitisation forum for its members about sexual harassment subjected to female mountain crew by men participating in alpine tourism activities

Review of: "Factors associated with contraceptive use among migrant female porters in the Kumasi Metropolis"

Review of: "Factors associated with contraceptive use among migrant female porters in the Kumasi Metropolis"

We are both women and Kurd: An intersectional analysis of female Kolbars challenges in Iranian Kurdistan amid the COVID crisis

AbstractThis study uses an intersectional lens to explore the embodied experiences of Kurdish female porters (porters are called Kolbars in the Kurdish language) in Iranian Kurdistan and how their lives and employment have been impacted by the COVID‐19 crisis by drawing on one semi‐structured interview with a female Kolbar living in a rural area of Kurdistan Province. The findings demonstrate that female Kolbars are victims of intersected factors such as gender, ethnicity, solid patriarchal culture in the region and country, the unequal distribution of resources and wealth throughout the country, and economic sanctions and recessions in the state. They resist these various sources of oppression by risking their lives and carrying loads across mountainous borders, staying silent and committing suicide when they have no other options. This study contributes to the feminist intersectionality debate by rendering the intersectional embodied aspects of a marginalized, unfranchised, and under‐studied population of women in one of the most gender‐inequitable countries in the world. Furthermore, it adds to the broader literature on gender inequalities that lie outside of typical organisations and the Western context.

Choosing between diversity, employee safety and business continuity

Study level/applicability Professors of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral or certificate programs can use this case study. Subject area Human resource management, employee relations, women in business Case overview Historically, only men have worked as tourist porters in Peru. The owner of a tour company in Peru wants to hire female porters in their company. Currently, all the porters in the company are male, and they are hesitant to work with women. The entrepreneur wants to build an inclusive organization to improve their company’s branding but is afraid of workplace harassment issues. This case examines the challenges of employee safety and business continuity while building an inclusive workforce. What should the owner do? Expected learning outcomes • Evaluate the factors that lead to the bias or discrimination of women or other minority groups in business; •discuss what reasonable accommodations an organization can undertake to become inclusive; and •explore business opportunities and challenges while being inclusive. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resources

Re-imagining freedom as elderly female porters: A study of buruh gendong at Beringharjo traditional market of Yogyakarta

This paper expects to reveal the struggle of elderly female porters or buruh gendong who mostly had a historical background of working in industrial production (factory) but ended up being self-employed at Beringharjo traditional market of Yogyakarta. They used to work as factory workers. However, most factories collapsed in the aftermath of the 1997 economic crisis, especially in Southeast Asia. These older people from peri-urban (and rural) areas with lower-class status ended up in urban areas to be self-employed and became precarious workers. Therefore, the research questions are how they cope with the income uncertainties only to meet their daily needs and still desire their children to have a better living condition. Observations and interviews were done with 25 elderly female traditional porters as the research methods from 2020. They are primarily in the age range of late 50-80 years old. The results show that income uncertainties and social insecurity bring about precariousness. Buruh gendong have to work every day only to make ends meet. However, these conditions could also open up alternative perspectives that they often found themselves liberated from the control of industrial production. They do not work for capital owners or bosses; they work for themselves (self-employed). They are free or more flexible on working hours, but, at the same time, they have to accept their insecure employment. Buruh gendong also have desires for their children to be able to achieve a higher education level. Eventually, the desires are mostly unfulfilled; their children get unfortunate work and still live barely.

Pola Konsumsi Perempuan Kuli Panggul di Pasar Sayur Magetan

<em>This study aims to determine the consumption patterns of female porters in the Magetan vegetable market. The type of research used is qualitative research through a case study approach. The total number of informants is 40 people. Collecting data through observation, interviews, documentation. The validity of the data using triangulation. The data analysis technique uses data reduction, data presentation and verification. The results showed that, (1) Due to the high economic needs, and low income, the women chose to become porters, they chose this job because there was no other job. (2) There is not much income per day as porters, they work from morning at 07.00-15.00 WIB, they earn around Rp. 50,000-Rp. 70,000. (3) Before becoming porters, among them were only household workers, fried food sellers, farm laborers, where they rarely had buyers. (4) Obstacles that are often experienced by female porters are decreased health factors, bone pain, sometimes colds, dizziness. In addition, there is another factor, namely the quiet market conditions. (5) With a mediocre and uncertain income, female porters always prioritize basic needs, namely clothing, food, and housing. However, if they have more money, they will choose to save it, just in case there is an urgent need. (6) From the interviews, according to them the needs that have been fulfilled, namely household needs including kitchen needs, electricity bills, PDAM water bills, children's school bills, and basic needs can be met every day</em>

‘My husband is living like a dead person’: explaining women portage labour in Ibadan urban market

ABSTRACT African urban market spaces are heavily congested and mostly unfavourable for mobility. Understanding this difficult terrain, human porters facilitate navigation of difficult layouts. They negotiate with buyers and carry their loads to the bus stops or car parks. Load carriers are of both sexes but very little has been empirically done to understand women as porters and the dynamics of their work as well as its organization. In this study, we interviewed 30 female porters in Bodija food market in Ibadan. Findings show that due to their fragile nature, light luggages are carried by women unlike men who carry bags of beans and rice. Variations exist in resumption and closing among women porters. There was seasonality in portage labour with high earnings at month end, weekends and during festivities.

The Migration Processes in Ghana: The Case of Northern Migrants

Over the past four decades, Accra has witnessed an increasing influx of young women who migrate to the city with the sole aim of carrying goods. This paper examines the migration processes of these young women, who mostly migrate from the northern part of Ghana to Accra, in the South. A sample of 216 female porters were selected for the study. A survey, personal interviews, and focus group discussions were the main tools for data collection. The reasons for their migration, the parties involved in the decision to migrate, and how their migration was financed were explored. The study revealed that the migration process of female porters is enabled by social networks; the women have varying levels of social capital, which facilitates movement and settlement. These social networks increase the social asset base of female porters and provide safety nets for them. It is found that the reasons for their migration are related to the declining importance of agriculture and the non-availability of jobs at their origin, which can be blamed on the liberalisation of the Ghanaian economy. It is also found that mothers are deeply involved in their daughters' migration decisions.

Physiological and Hematological Profiles among the Highlanders of Mount Kinabalu

Previous studies show that people residing at the highlands had the potential in physical endurance. The main objective of this study was to obtain the physiological and haematological profile of the highlanders residing at Mount Kinabalu. 27 male and four female porters and guides with age ranged from 17 to 51 years old working at the Sabah National Park voluntarily participated in the study. Anthropometric measurement, physiological attributes and hematological components were measured. Even though the participants had high haemoglobin levels, their VO2max were below the average level. Follow-up studies should consider assessment of other physiological factors at higher altitudes.

Assessment of physiological health status in relations to different anthropometric and Cardio-Respiratory measures of Head-Supported load carrying female porters of Sikkim, India.

Assessment of physiological health status in relations to different anthropometric and Cardio-Respiratory measures of Head-Supported load carrying female porters of Sikkim, India.

Potential in Endurance Sports among the Highlanders of Mount Kinabalu

Previous studies show that people residing at the highlands had the potential in physical endurance. The main objective of this study was to obtain the physiological and haematological profile of the highlanders residing at Mount Kinabalu. 27 male and four female porters and guides with age ranged from 17 to 51 years old working at the Sabah National Park voluntarily participated in the study. Anthropometric measurement, physiological attributes and hematological components were measured. Even though the participants had high haemoglobin levels, their VO2max were below the average level. Follow-up studies should consider assessment of other physiological factors at higher altitudes.

Beyond the Cedis: Migration and Reproductive health among female potters in Accra

The study presents the working and living conditions that female migrants who migrate from the north to the southern part of the Ghana are going through at their destinations in the commercial cities and how it impacts on their reproductive health. Female porters popularly known as "kayayei" are young girls, mostly in their reproductive ages who migrate from rural communities in the north to the commercial cities in south. During the last few decades, out-migration of young girls to the commercial cities in Ghana to work as head porters has increased several fold creating streams of problems to both the migrants and the host population. In many ways the health implication of the female porters has been overlooked, less explored and exacerbated by lack of policies to make the migration of the female porters a healthy and socially productive process. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through questionnaire administration, direct observation and key informant interviews. 400 questionnaires were administered purposively to 400 female porters while the secondary data were obtained from review of related literature. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that the porters have no shelter and are exposed to rapists; it also found out that some porters exchange sex for shelter which exposed them to STDs. The study also revealed that abortion rate among respondents were high, contraceptives use and practice among respondents were very low.

The Nexus of Female Capital and North–South Labor Migration in Ghana

The phenomenon of female head-load portaging in the large commercial cities of Southern Ghana has become a social canker. This article explores the role access to capital plays in the labor relocation of women from northern to Southern Ghana to engage in street head-load portaging, with the goal of examining the potential of microfinance to reverse this trend. Using a phenomenological study design and semi-structured interviews of 15 migrant women porters in Accra, the results revealed that lack of access to capital is a major determinant in the labor migration decisions of female head porters. Also, the study revealed that migrant female porters have a strong desire to obtain capital from microfinance versus savings from head-load portaging. The implications for positive social change include informing development practitioners and policy makers of the importance of microfinance as a prospective remedial policy to address the phenomenon of north to south female labor migration that contributes to the head-load portage syndrome and the inherent degradation this occupation creates for women in Southern Ghana.

Beyond the Cedis: Migration and Reproductive health among female potters in Accra

The study presents the working and living conditions that female migrants who migrate from the north to the southern part of the Ghana are going through at their destinations in the commercial cities and how it impacts on their reproductive health. Female porters popularly known as kayayei are young girls, mostly in their reproductive ages who migrate from rural communities in the north to the commercial cities in south. During the last few decades, out-migration of young girls to the commercial cities in Ghana to work as head porters has increased several fold creating streams of problems to both the migrants and the host population. In many ways the health implication of the female porters has been overlooked, less explored and exacerbated by lack of policies to make the migration of the female porters a healthy and socially productive process. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data. Primary data were obtained through questionnaire administration, direct observation and key informant interviews. 400 questionnaires were administered purposively to 400 female porters while the secondary data were obtained from review of related literature. Data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that the porters have no shelter and are exposed to rapists; it also found out that some porters exchange sex for shelter which exposed them to STDs. The study also revealed that abortion rate among respondents were high, contraceptives use and practice among respondents were very low.

Resources for Adjusting Well to Work Migration: Women from Northern Ghana Working in Head Porterage in Greater Accra

Ghanaian women seeking paid work have long migrated from the north to Accra, in the south. Many work as poorly compensated porters and experience many difficulties, yet, by their own accounts, some adjust well to their new circumstances, despite their unfavorable situation. The aim of this study is to take a salutogenic perspective to illuminate the resources that help them cope. The intention is to develop practical guidelines for promoting health among all female porters in Accra. The framework of the study was the salutogenic model, with a focus on the role that resources play in helping people cope with stress. A phenomenological method that included interviews and observations was used. The results of the study indicate that religiosity is an important resource for good adjustment, but that additional resources, acquired after migration, were key: achieving financial stability and developing and cultivating socially supportive relationships. The ability to take a positive perspective and engage in active, adaptive coping protects against stress.

Mobile, flexible, and adaptable: female migrants in Hanoi's informal sector

ABSTRACTIndustrialisation and urban growth are constitutive aspects of Vietnam's new economy and are important driving forces behind increasing rural‐to‐urban migration. Growth in informal sector employment is a significant aspect of this development, which has provided for both male and female migrants, although they generally are engaged in different occupations. Based on a case study among porters at Hanoi's Long Bien Market, this paper examines rural‐to‐urban migrants' gendered migration practices. Two interrelated aspects of gendered migration practices are in focus: the role of migration networks and networking, and remittance practices. The paper is organised around why and how migrants have entered the informal labour market in Hanoi and how they make their livings there while also maintaining ties with their rural homes. In conclusion, we discuss how the migration networks and remittance practices of the female porters demonstrate a particular way of adapting to the migration process. Also, it is emphasised how women's flexible practices are facilitated by women's own village‐based networks. It is suggested that ‘in‐betweenness’, which stands for the simultaneous and overlapping presence of urban and rural spaces in migrants' lives, is an insightful way of comprehending the adaptation practices employed by female porters in Hanoi. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gendered poverty, migration and livelihood strategies of female porters in Accra, Ghana

In recent years there has been a dominant migration stream from north to south in Ghana of female youths, moving independently of their families, and mainly towards the cities of Accra and Kumasi. Young girls from rural areas, particularly the northern regions move to markets in urban centres to serve as kayayei, female porters, who carry goods on their heads for a negotiated fee. Away from support from their home communities and families, most end up living and working under very poor conditions and are exposed to both physical and reproductive health risks. The paper examines the characteristics of young female migrants working as head load porters (kayayei) in three markets in Accra and their livelihood strategies as they move into the wage market. It also examines the processes through which migration is used to address livelihood needs through an analysis of the intersecting social relations of gender, poverty and vulnerability. It discusses the survival strategies used to overcome poverty and to deal with issues of risk and vulnerability, especially in respect of their reproductive and health rights. The implications for migration policies and poverty reduction strategies are discussed.