What Occupations Attract the Highest Proportions of Third World Women?

Women in Third World countries work in occupations such as agriculture, street vending, child care, housekeeping, even politics. However, some still find themselves trapped in prostitution due to lack of options.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the leading employer of third world women

The majority of women employed in Third World countries, according to "Women in the Developing World," by Robert Sadelski. According to USAID.com: "The worldwide demographic and social changes which have occurred in tandem with Third World development have worked to push women into the agricultural sector, rather than out of it as was the case historically in many of the developed countries."

Street Vending/Small Business

According to Women in Informal Employment, most street vendors in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America are women. In Benin, 92 percent of street vendors are women

Third World women work as caregivers to children of wealthy families

More and more women in developing countries are being enticed to leave their children in poor countries to take care of other people's children in more affluent countries. Even in 2001, 40 percent of the 792,000 private household workers in the U.S. were foreign-born, "not counting the large number of illegal immigrants who provide child care," according to Mindfully.org. It is likely the figure is even higher now.

Maid (Housekeeper)

Education isn't necessary in order to be a housekeeper

Many young women in developing countries such as Guatemala work as housekeepers. Housekeeping jobs typically do not require formal education. In return, these women are usually provided with board and lodging. In Guatemala, where 98 percent of those under the 18 live in poverty, most housekeepers come from pastoral regions.

Prostitute (Sex Worker)

Sex work is the most dangerous of the third world occupations for women.

According to IPPF, women in countries such as Rwanda are forced into prostitution as a result of having few professional options. This is among the most dangerous occupations for women in Third World countries, including those in Africa. It carries a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Politics/Activism

Some developing countries invite women in politics.

El Salvador, Nicaragua, and China have encouraged women to participate in activism and leadership--a new phenomenon in these societies. India, Haiti, the Philippines, and Bolivia, also have women heavily involved in politics.

References

• Women in the Developing World
• International Planned Parenthood Federation
• D+C: Hard Work, New Opportunities
• USAID: Women in Development
• Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Informing

Resources

• "Routledge Studies in Development and Society;" Isa Baud and Ines Smyth (eds); 1997
• Women Feed the World
• High-Paying U.S. Nanny Positions Puncture Fabric of Family Life in Developing Nations
• "Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy"; Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Russell Hochschild; 2003