Gendered exploitation and survival strategies among female marketers: A qualitative study in Lagos Trade Fair International Market.

This study explores gendered exploitation and survival strategies among female marketers in Lagos Trade Fair International Market, Nigeria. Using qualitative interviews and field observations, it examines how women navigate wage insecurity, exploitative credit systems, and sexual harassment in the informal economy. The findings highlight the intersection of gender, labor, and structural inequality, showing how women rely on resilience, solidarity, and strategic negotiation to survive. The study applies feminist conflict theory and symbolic interactionism to understand women’s lived experiences, offering insights into broader debates on informal economies, gender relations, and social inequality in West Africa.