Across countries at different level of development and with different social institutions, women represent an important share of the owners of such enterprises (Figure 29.1). In Mexico and South Africa, for example, women tend to be more prevalent in the informal sector and account for the majority of informal business owners without employees. Ownership of a micro-business in the informal sector is often the most practical source of employment for low-skilled and poor women. Most of these businesses are operated from home, which makes it easier to reconcile business and family commitments.