ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF WOMEN'S STREET VENDORS IN CHENGALPATTU DISTRICT

The success of any economy is depends upon equitable economic growth the nation for which, the informal sector plays a pivotal
role in urban and semi-urban economies. The informal sector is a major driver ofeconomic development in emerging economies, contributing
roughly 45-60 percent of Gross Domestic Product in many developing countries and providing livelihoods for over 90 percent ofthe workforce,
it also act as a safety net by creating employment, fostering entrepreneurship and driving local consumption in some regions notably India.
The in formal sector women workforce contributes significantly to the economy, with over 94 percent of India's working women employed in
this sector, contributing to 20-30 percent of GDP in specific sector like trading. They drive economic growth through domestic work,
agriculture, textile production and street vending, acting as essential economic agents despite high vulnerability to poverty and exploitation.
However, women in the informal sector face severe disadvantages due to lack of regulation, including extremely low and unequal wages,
absence of social security (pensions, insurance) and hazardous working conditions. Therefore, the women street vendors in Chengalpattu
District are spread out based on the main type of business they undertake. This study attempted to examine the socio-economic conditions and
the various challenges faced by women street vendors in Chengalpattu district was conducted based on a sample of 300 respondents. The
research focuses on key aspects such as demographic profile, income levels, educational status, family structure and size, working conditions,
access to credit and challenges faced in day to day operation of vending activities. Selling vegetables is the most common job for street vendors
(34.3%), with 103 people responding. This means that selling vegetables is the most common and probably the most important street vending
activity in the area. Twenty percent of respondents (60) said that selling fruits is the second most popular business. The next largest group, with
19.0% (57 responders), is vendors that run a canteen, which are probably mobile or roadside food stalls. This shows how important street
vendors are for supplying prepared meal services. There are 40 flower sellers and 40 "Others," which is the same number of people that sell
flowers. The "Others" category probably contains sellers of clothes, non-food items, or other random things. Selling goods on the streets in
Chengalpattu District is an important but very risky way to make a living, mostly for people who are poor and don't have much education. In
general, there are more men than women, but the trade is kept going by middle-aged as well as older women, notably those between the ages
of 45 and 60. Many of these women are married along with single members of nuclear or split households.
Most among these female vendors (56%) come from the Scheduled Castes or Tribes and have only completed primary or secondary
school. This shows that the employment is an informal sector profession that doesn't require much talent or capital. These vendors work long
hours (10-14 hours a day) and are very important to the urban economic system, but they are very insecure in their jobs. They have low and
changing incomes, no formal credit, no social security, and are constantly harassed by city officials, even though there are laws in place to
protect them.
Key words: Women Street Vendors, Informal Sector, Socio-Economic Conditions, Chengalpattu District, Urban Livelihoods, Financial
Inclusion, Gender Inequality