Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil

Female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil, face significant social vulnerabilities that exacerbate their exposure to health risks. A study of 1,025 waste pickers at Estrutural’s dumpsite revealed that 67% were women, most of whom lived without partners (73.7%), had three to four children (47.8%), and earned lower monthly incomes (62.6%). These findings highlight the disproportionate burden faced by female waste pickers, who are more likely to experience adverse health effects due to occupational hazards while also managing greater family responsibilities. The research employed a quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological approach with semi-structured data to identify gender disparities in this vulnerable population. Such insights underscore the need for targeted interventions to address both occupational and social challenges affecting female waste pickers globally.

Marques, C. P., Zolnikov, T. R., Noronha, J. M. d., Angulo-Tuesta, A., Bashashi, M., & Cruvinel, V. R. N. (2020). Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 76(3), 173–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/19338244.2020.1787315