A Critical Analysis of Experiences of Street Vendors in Harare Urban: A Case of Females who are Deaf

Abstract

The presence of both male and female street vendors with hearing impairment on the city of Harare streets particularly young mothers gave impetus to this study. The study focused on identification of causes, effects and remedies to the issue of workplace child rearing by mothers with hearing impairment. Using the qualitative research paradigm the research employed the ethnographic design to collect data. Snowballing was used to select deaf participants who had vending experience of two years and above. The researchers were the main instruments using observations, narratives and in-depth interviews to collect information. Using six accounts of narratives and extensive in-depth interviews with six female street vendors with hearing impairment in the city of Harare, this study explored how their workplace child rearing practices impacted on the livelihoods of their children. The study identified unemployment and low education level as key prompters driving females with hearing impairment into vending for survival. Vending influenced the way most females who are deaf managed their children's upbringing. The study noted with concern that, although vending promoted self sustainance and empowerment it had its own challenges such as, exposure to abuse and other negative street experiences. The family systems theory and the ubuntu philosophy formed the platform for this study. The findings from the study revealed a high need for the City Council of Harare to create decent authorised vending systems and how to mitigate challenges of street life. Increase in street toilets was highlighted as essential for both the vendors and their customers and the public in general. Revealed experiences from the study were expected to influence social policy on child rearing practices for parents with disabilities and the quality of parenting in line with the children's rights.