PASHFARM

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Browsing PASHFARM by Author "Chebii, Naomi"

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    Gendered Barriers Faced by Food SMEs in Providing Low-Income Consumers with Safe, Affordable, and Nutritious Foods in Nairobi
    (AERC, 2025) Gitau, Raphael K.; Wekesa, Bright; Harawa, Philip Philemon; Shashi, Njile Isack; Chebii, Naomi; Ninsiima, Racheal; Korir, Emily; Mugisha, Euzobia Baine
    Urban food markets such as Toi and Githurai are central to Nairobi’s food system and livelihoods, especially for low-income households. Like other food markets, these markets are essential settings in the provision of nutritious and affordable food to millions and serve as a key source of self-employment. They provide affordable food to millions and serve as avenues for self-employment and income generation. Traders in these markets often face gendered barriers such as gender insensitive water and sanitation measures, lack of secure stalls, unsafe working environments, especially for women, limited access to finance, biased market policy enforcement practices, and exclusion from leadership of young vendors by experienced ones. Although Kenya’s Constitution (2010) guarantees equality and non-discrimination, and Nairobi City County has enacted trade and inspectorate legislation, implementation has often been gender blind. This results in unsafe working conditions, arbitrary enforcement, and barriers to women’s economic empowerment. Strengthening gender-responsive governance and policies in Toi and Githurai markets is therefore critical to enhance trader livelihoods, ensure fair enforcement, and improve food safety for consumers. This policy brief, drawn from a study under the Policy Analysis for Sustainable and Healthy Foods in African Retail Markets (PASHFARM) project, specifically synthesizes the gendered barriers faced by vendors in the choice, sourcing, and provision of safe, affordable, and nutritious food to low-income households in Toi and Githurai markets in Nairobi.