Challenges and opportunities of women participating in informal sector in Ethiopia: A special focus on women street vendors in Arba Minch City

The study aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities of women participating in the informal sector in Ethiopia with a particular emphasis of street vendors in Arba Minch city. The study employed case study research design which includes solely qualitative approach. The data were gathered from purposively selected interviewees specifically, using convenience sampling technique. The data obtained via interview has been cross checked and validated using focus group discussion. Thematic qualitative analysis technique has been employed to analyze the data. The study found that the major challenges of street vendors women are refusing to pay, damaging goods, housing problem, looting, bribe payment and conflict from formal traders and others. Despite the fact that street vendor’s women are faced with these challenges, they are still optimistic about the business. Key words: Women, informal sector, street vendors.