Determinants of Socio-Economic Empowerment of Karamojong Women in Napak District, Uganda
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Date
2020
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
The study was about the socio-economic empowerment of women and was carried out at Napak District of Karamoja region in Uganda. This study examined how women’s income generating activities, available financial services, women representation in decision making and cultural transformation of community influence the socio-economic empowerment of the women of Napak District. The study employed mixed method. The study sampled 388 respondents who were selected through both probability and non-probability sampling methods with quantitative and qualitative design. The sample comprised of 388 respondents. Purposive and snowball techniques were used for selection of focus groups discussion members and interviewees. Quantitative data was analyzed following the research objectives using descriptive statistics with support of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.21) while thematic and content analysis was done for the qualitative data. The themes were based on the objectives of the study. The study found out that food chain related businesses like cereal business, catering and hotel services, beer brewing and sale, vegetables business are sustainable and most profitable. Livestock business is still out of the domain of women due to cultural constraints, distances and the capital involved. Women involved in business are more sustainable, though their entrepreneur skills are not adequate. The study also found out that, women are not familiar with the available financial services as there is not a single bank in the district. In the area of influence of women in decision-making, the findings indicate that women leaders on the lower cadres are a source of inspiration and knowledge for other women. Those on national and county levels are not close to the women as to understand their situation as they only come when duty calls. Another finding was that the traditional culture of the Karamojong of Napak District still remains strong especially the retrogressive customs like wife inheritance, polygamy, early marriages, women domestication and forced marriages. In conclusion, self-help groups seem to be the best option of empowerment for the women of Napak District as the community resources dictate but there is need of human resource empowerment and creations of links both within and with the neighbouring districts for fair business deals. There is an urgent need of financial literacy for the independence of the businesses of the women. While in the area of retrogressive practices, the women need the support of the government for enforcement of the laws, as the practices are still quite strong. The study recommends that entrepreneurial skills of women be further developed as the most sustainable source of income. In order to engage in major businesses women need to have access and knowledge on financial management and services. The government needs to provide this service through banks. Women in decision-making positions are encouraged to create networks and programmes for systemically educating women on what government offers and on fitting empowerment strategies. Further study is required in the area of the retrogressive practices in Karamoja especially on early and forced marriages as they merge closely with traditional marriages.
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Keywords
Socio-Economic, Empowerment, Women, Karamojong