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Child Porterage and Africa’s Transport Gap: Evidence from Ghana, Malawi and South Africa

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  • Porter, Gina
  • Hampshire, Kate
  • Abane, Albert
  • Munthali, Alister
  • Robson, Elsbeth
  • Mashiri, Mac
  • Tanle, Augustine
  • Maponya, Goodhope
  • Dube, Sipho

Abstract

Children’s load-carrying has been largely invisible in studies of African economies, being commonly subsumed under women’s or family labor. This paper, based on interdisciplinary qualitative and quantitative research in 24 sites, examines the role of child porterage in helping to fill Africa’s transport gap and considers its developmental significance for education, well-being, and health. It provides detailed information regarding the scale, nature, and perceived impacts of children’s load-carrying work in domestic and commercial contexts, indicates the importance of gender and generational analysis, and explores key policy challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Porter, Gina & Hampshire, Kate & Abane, Albert & Munthali, Alister & Robson, Elsbeth & Mashiri, Mac & Tanle, Augustine & Maponya, Goodhope & Dube, Sipho, 2012. "Child Porterage and Africa’s Transport Gap: Evidence from Ghana, Malawi and South Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 2136-2154.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:40:y:2012:i:10:p:2136-2154
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.004
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    1. Maconachie, Roy & Hilson, Gavin, 2016. "Re-Thinking the Child Labor “Problem” in Rural sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Sierra Leone’s Half Shovels," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 136-147.
    2. Erica W. Ho & Sophia Strohmeier-Breuning & Madeleine Rossanese & Dana Charron & David Pennise & Jay P. Graham, 2021. "Diverse Health, Gender and Economic Impacts from Domestic Transport of Water and Solid Fuel: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Fransen, Koos & Neutens, Tijs & Farber, Steven & De Maeyer, Philippe & Deruyter, Greet & Witlox, Frank, 2015. "Identifying public transport gaps using time-dependent accessibility levels," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 176-187.
    4. Venter, Christoffel J. & Molomo, Malesela & Mashiri, Mac, 2014. "Supply and pricing strategies of informal rural transport providers," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 239-248.
    5. Gina Porter & Jeff Turner, 2019. "Meeting Young People’s Mobility and Transport Needs: Review and Prospect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Porter, Gina & Hampshire, Kate & Dunn, Christine & Hall, Richard & Levesley, Martin & Burton, Kim & Robson, Steve & Abane, Albert & Blell, Mwenza & Panther, Julia, 2013. "Health impacts of pedestrian head-loading: A review of the evidence with particular reference to women and children in sub-Saharan Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 90-97.
    7. Esson, James & Gough, Katherine V. & Simon, David & Amankwaa, Ebenezer F. & Ninot, Olivier & Yankson, Paul W.K., 2016. "Livelihoods in motion: Linking transport, mobility and income-generating activities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 182-188.
    8. Monica P. Lambon‐Quayefio, 2024. "Walking for water and fuelwood: Welfare implications for women and children in Ghana," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(1), pages 365-397, January.
    9. Porter, Gina & Tewodros, Amleset & Bifandimu, Flavian & Gorman, Mark & Heslop, Amanda & Sibale, Elisha & Awadh, Abdul & Kiswaga, Lorraine, 2013. "Transport and mobility constraints in an aging population: health and livelihood implications in rural Tanzania," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 161-169.
    10. Tanu Priya Uteng & Jeff Turner, 2019. "Addressing the Linkages between Gender and Transport in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-34, August.

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