Socio-demographic profile of twins’ mothers in begging situation in ouagadougou

This contribution draws on the results of doctoral research on begging by twins’ mothers in Ouagadougou. Context: In a multicultural and multi-religious country, place of birth is not the only significant information. It must be cross-referenced with cultural and religious specificities that could explain certain behaviors of women in a begging situation. The variety of individual and family characteristics of "mothers of twins" in a begging situation is important and must be taken into account because a wide variety of factors can influence life as well as different ways of seeing the world. Age, education, gender, income, and other socio-demographic characteristics can influence the relationships one forms, learning experiences, social roles one plays, aspirations one has, and abilities one develops. Therefore, the socio-demographic data of twins’ mothers are fundamental in that differences in socio-demographic characteristics determine differences in the circumstances of each other's lives. They largely define the social position of each of the women. Methods: The fieldwork consisted of a triangulation of approaches: spatial, quantitative and qualitative. The data collection made it possible to geo-locate 39 begging sites using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and to identify 198 women who were begging on these sites using an identification form. In addition, 33 twins’ mothers who were begging participated in in-depth individual interviews conducted using the semi-structured individual interview guide. In this proposal, the socio-demographic characteristics of the women surveyed will be highlighted. The data come from the identification sheet specifically designed to collect the profile of each woman. Results: The information presented here focuses on the essential characteristics of the 198 women surveyed. The results show that these women are young and able-bodied and do not constitute a homogeneous group. They have specific socio-demographic and economic profiles. For them, begging is an alternative way to survive and support their families. Conclusion: The informal sector is unstable and cannot contribute to the autonomy of the women who work in it nor ensure their long-term resilience.