I Do It My Way : A Holistic Study on Female Shoe Shiners' Mobility in La Paz
(2025) MIDM19 20251Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
- Abstract
- This study examines the everyday life and mobility patterns of shoe shiners in La Paz and focuses in particular on the perspective of female shoe shiners. Shoe shining is a stigmatized profession in La Paz. Based on Lefebvre’s theory of the right to the city, the study investigates the means through which shoe shiners are able to access and use public space—especially through the payment of patentes (work licenses) and participation in shoe shiner unions. Through the lens of feminist geography, the study examines how mechanisms of intersectionality and prevailing gender roles affect female shoe shiners. The qualitative research was conducted using participatory mapping and reveals that female shoe shiners face particular challenges, as... (More)
- This study examines the everyday life and mobility patterns of shoe shiners in La Paz and focuses in particular on the perspective of female shoe shiners. Shoe shining is a stigmatized profession in La Paz. Based on Lefebvre’s theory of the right to the city, the study investigates the means through which shoe shiners are able to access and use public space—especially through the payment of patentes (work licenses) and participation in shoe shiner unions. Through the lens of feminist geography, the study examines how mechanisms of intersectionality and prevailing gender roles affect female shoe shiners. The qualitative research was conducted using participatory mapping and reveals that female shoe shiners face particular challenges, as they engage in both care work and paid labor while also experiencing sexual harassment due to patriarchal structures. Moreover, this thesis analyzes the perception of different places and identifies often frequented places and main connection hubs. Additionally, the paper provides deep insights into the closed shoe shiner community. The results of this research contribute to a better understanding of gender and professional discrimination in Bolivia and highlight potential areas for intervention. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9193932
- author
- Appold, Luc Alexander LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MIDM19 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 9193932
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-11 12:59:58
- date last changed
- 2025-06-11 12:59:58
@misc{9193932,
abstract = {{This study examines the everyday life and mobility patterns of shoe shiners in La Paz and focuses in particular on the perspective of female shoe shiners. Shoe shining is a stigmatized profession in La Paz. Based on Lefebvre’s theory of the right to the city, the study investigates the means through which shoe shiners are able to access and use public space—especially through the payment of patentes (work licenses) and participation in shoe shiner unions. Through the lens of feminist geography, the study examines how mechanisms of intersectionality and prevailing gender roles affect female shoe shiners. The qualitative research was conducted using participatory mapping and reveals that female shoe shiners face particular challenges, as they engage in both care work and paid labor while also experiencing sexual harassment due to patriarchal structures. Moreover, this thesis analyzes the perception of different places and identifies often frequented places and main connection hubs. Additionally, the paper provides deep insights into the closed shoe shiner community. The results of this research contribute to a better understanding of gender and professional discrimination in Bolivia and highlight potential areas for intervention.}},
author = {{Appold, Luc Alexander}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{I Do It My Way : A Holistic Study on Female Shoe Shiners' Mobility in La Paz}},
year = {{2025}},
}