Women Workers in the Informal Sector, Challenges and Opportunities: A Systematic Review and Suggested Ways Forward

Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to highlight the significant number of women who labor in the unorganised sector without being paid or getting social security. Because of this, they frequently reside on the periphery of the official economic system and are not included in standard labor force and employment data. Along with providing a comprehensive analysis of the informal sector, the study addresses important topics from both an empirical and theoretical standpoint. In addition to outlining more general trends in informal work within various geographic locations, it gives special attention to the roles and difficulties experienced by women in this industry. Methodology: The secondary data used in this report was collected from a variety of sources, including research papers and papers published in social scientific journals. There are currently few thorough evaluations available on this subject. To fill this research gap, this work conducts a systematic assessment of 36 research publications that were published between 2016 and 2024. The review approach employs an interpretative framework in accordance with the PRISMA systematic literature review protocol, which allows for a thorough examination and critical evaluation of various research streams along with TCCM framework. Findings: In terms of theoretical development regarding women's position and their role in the informal economy, the author's results relate to the areas that need more research. Originality: The article provides a current overview of the scientific literature on innovations in order to draw attention to the conceptual and theoretical issues regarding women's conditions and their involvement in the informal sector on a regional and global scale. For scholars, economists, and policymakers who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the informal sector, this research provides valuable insights. Keywords: working women, unorganized, urban informal sector, informal economy, self-employment, gender Paper type: Literature Review