Abstract:

The traditionally gender division of labour within African societies was such that men primarily engaged in formal paid work while women are confined to household management, reproductive activities and childcare responsibilities. However, as global concerns amplified over the deficiency of economic growth, economic meltdown and increasing growth of poverty especially in the developing countries, the informal sector has turned out to be a safe haven and survival strategy for household maintenance and economic empowerment. Furthermore, women have taken advantage of the globalized economy by participating in the labour force in the informal sector in some countries including Nigeria. Using the snowballing sampling technique, women in the local Adire textile industry in Nigeria were carefully selected to examine the interface between productive activities in the informal sector and traditional role of reproduction and managing the family. The study discovers that women’s involvement in the Adire informal sector textile industry in Nigeria does not affect the family in any negative way rather, stabilises the family in terms of supplementing the income of the male provider for the family financial obligations. It thereafter recommends amongst others, that loans should be made available for women already into the business for the expansion of the business and easy penetration into larger national and global markets. Also, there is the need for the government to implement more skill acquisition programmes like the local production of textile in order to encourage unemployed women to acquire skill that will enhance their financial and social independence.