Women as agents of social transformation: The inter-island traders of agricultural produce in the Caribbean

This thesis examines the inter-island trade of agricultural produce carried out by hucksters and traffickers in the English-speaking Caribbean. It utilizes a feminist political economy approach to trace the evolution of the trade, and women's involvement in it, from the slavery period to the current crisis. The central argument of the thesis is that huckstering as an activity and a survival strategy for an increasing number of Caribbean women, represents a creative and indigenous response to economic crisis and offers long term developmental potential both for the region and the status of Caribbean women. The thesis also presents a case study which details the experiences of thirty women traders from St. Vincent and Dominica.;The findings of the research suggest that the inter-island trade is a source of empowerment and self-esteem for the women who participate in it. Furthermore, the trade provides income for many women in Caribbean society who would otherwise be unemployed. The research also suggests that while the trade has developmental potential for the region, this potential is being lost as externally propelled development models continue to be pursued.