School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS) Collections

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    Rising against the tide : interrogating experiences of women executives in Commercial Banks, Kampala City, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kasimbazi, Hope Jemimah
    The banking sector in Uganda is pivotal to the economy but faces challenges regarding women's advancement to top leadership roles. Despite their significant contributions, women hold few leadership positions in Ugandan banks, an area that has been under-researched in developing economies. This study explored women's employability in the banking sector, identifying barriers to their progress informed by the liberal feminist theory and the glass ceiling concept. It examines management perceptions, notable cases of women overcoming obstacles, and strategies to mitigate these barriers. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research employed semi-structured interviews with fourteen participants (Nine women and five men), who included board chairpersons, managing directors, and human resource professionals from seven banks. Findings indicate that while progress has been made, an increasing women’s participation in leadership is still limited by systemic barriers such as gender bias, societal stereotypes, implicit biases, and work-life balance issues. Challenges remain. The study underscored the need for banks to foster supportive and inclusive environments by adopting family-friendly policies, mentorship initiatives, and continuous professional development. Addressing work-life balance integration and creating clear career pathways are also critical for empowering women in executive leadership positions. Ultimately, a concerted effort by individuals, organizations, lawmakers, policy makers, regulators, and the government is required to dismantle barriers and promote gender diverse leadership in Uganda’s banking sector.
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    The effectiveness of the existing legal and policy frame works in addressing gender-based violence concerns among women in Kawala, Rubaga Division, Kampala District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Naisubi, Joanitah Mbayo
    Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a widespread violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls globally (Duncan, 2022). It encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse directed at individuals based on their gender. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence. GBV undermining health, safety, and equality, impeding progress towards global development (Organization, 2021). International development frameworks have recognized the urgency of addressing GBV. The Millennium Development Goals (MDG 3) sought to promote gender equality and empower women, while Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) specifically targets the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. These frameworks emphasize the need forstrong legal mechanisms and systemic interventions to address GBV (Equality et al., 2017). GBV has severe consequences for women’s health, economic well-being, and participation in society, and remains a significant barrier to gender equality, particularly in developing countries such as Uganda (Okpokwasili, 2024). . Globally, in 2023, an average of 140 women and girls were killed each day by intimate partners or family members around 51,100 deaths compared to 48,800 in 2022. Most of these killings occurred in the home (UN Women 2022) Studies further found out that around 30–35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and or sexual intimate partner violence, or non-partner sexual violence, in their lifetime specifically, 27% of women aged 15–49 have endured intimate partner violence (Sardinha et al., 2022). However, The effectiveness of legal frameworks against GBV is limited due to enforcement gaps, cultural resistance, and institutional weaknesses for instance as of 2023, only 52 countries explicitly criminalized marital rape (World bank 2023; Davis & Johnstonbaugh, 2024).
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    Gender based violence and women’s economic empowerment in Katanga, Makerere, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nalubega, Vanessa Claire
    While Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is widely recognized as a barrier to women's economic empowerment, this study argues that in urban informal settlements like Katanga, Kampala, the two form a self-reinforcing cycle of disempowerment. Using a qualitative case study design, the research demonstrates that GBV acts not merely as an outcome of poverty, but as a patriarchal backlash mechanism that systematically sabotages women's participation in and benefits from government programs like the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) and the Parish Development Model (PDM). Conversely, the pursuit of economic independence often precipitates violence. Data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews with 52 participants reveal mechanisms of sabotage including asset confiscation, enforced absenteeism, and psychological trauma that render standalone economic programs ineffective. The findings further highlight fragmented institutional responses that fail to break this cycle. The study concludes that transformative impact requires integrated, GBV-responsive program design and economically-aware GBV services that simultaneously target women's economic agency and the patriarchal norms enabling violence. The research contributes to feminist and resource theories by demonstrating their interplay in urban informal settlements and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, program implementers, and community organizations working at the intersection of gender justice and economic development.
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    Interrogating women’s lived experiences as survivors of gender based violence in Namuwongo, Kampala District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Ainembabazi, Diana Pricila
    Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a prevalent issue globally and in Uganda, disproportionately impacting women and girls, particularly in economically marginalized urban settings like Namuwongo, a suburb of Kampala. This study explored the lived experiences of women survivors of GBV in Namuwongo, focusing on the most common forms of violence, their psychological and physical impacts, and the coping mechanisms employed by survivors. Using a qualitative approach, including in-depth interviews, life histories, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, the study revealed that psychological violence, especially emotional abuse and controlling behavior by intimate partners, is the most prevalent, followed by physical and sexual violence, which are often underreported due to stigma and socio-cultural norms. Survivors face enduring trauma and systemic barriers to accessing justice and support services. Based on these findings, the study recommends actionable measures at multiple levels: at the community level, leaders and grassroots organizations should spearhead awareness campaigns and dialogue sessions to challenge harmful gender norms and reduce stigma, while also creating safe spaces for survivors. At the local government level, authorities should enhance access to medical, legal, and psychosocial services by investing in survivor support centers and improving referral systems in informal settlements like Namuwongo. Local leaders should also collaborate with civil society to implement culturally relevant interventions and vocational programs to economically empower survivors. At the national policy level, the government should strengthen GBV legislation enforcement, expedite justice processes, and allocate adequate resources for shelters, legal aid, and counseling services. Additionally, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in coordination with law enforcement and health institutions, should institutionalize survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches in GBV programming. Lastly, continuous research and monitoring should be supported to ensure evidence-based policy adjustments and sustainable impact. Together, these multi-tiered actions can address the root causes of GBV and build a more supportive and protective environment for women in Namuwongo and similar urban contexts.
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    The consequences of inter-communal land disputes on livelihoods of women in Uganda: a case study of Apaa Village, Amuru District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Achiro, Joyce
    The study was about the consequences of intercommunal land disputes on Livelihoods of women in Apaa Village, Amuru District. The aim of the study was to examine the consequences of inter-communal land disputes on livelihoods of women in Apaa village. Whereas the specific objectives were: To assess the causes of inter-communal land disputes in Apaa Village. To assess the effects of inter-communal land disputes on food security among women farmers in Apaa Village. To examine the effects of inter-communal land disputes on the income of women farmers in Apaa village. The study involved 50 participants, qualitative research approach with feminist phenomenological research design to understand lived realities and experiences of women involved in Agriculture in Apaa village. Data was collected using interviews, Focus Group Discussion and Key informant interviews. It employed purposive sampling technique. Data was collected and transcribed to make meanings and analyse them using thematic data analysis. The study found that weak governance and inadequate legal frameworks failed to address the land disputes in a timely and fair manner. This has only served to escalate the land disputes. Although the government has implemented various measures aimed at resolving these conflicts such as establishing special courts dedicated to handling land-related cases and enacting legislation like the Land Act (1998) and Land Amendment Act (2010), the absence of robust mechanisms for community consultation and dispute resolution have perpetuated conflicts, as decision-making processes failed to address the needs and rights of the affected communities (Shalom Conflict Centre, 2023). The lack of transparency and accountability in governance has further fuel tensions and hinder effective conflict management (Smith et al., 2022; Lee & Wang, 2023). The study found out that the frequent clashes and displacements highlighted by Focused group discussions have further hindered agricultural activities and access to food. Rodriguez (2022) discusses how conflicts have led to frequent displacements, which disrupts farming operations and limit access to productive resources. This disruption in agricultural activities prevents farmers from cultivating their land effectively, resulting in reduced food production and significant shortages. Their study detailed how the loss of arable land and the destruction of crops during these conflicts resulted in severe income reductions for families reliant on agricultural produce for sale, which is consistent with the study. The psychological trauma experienced by displaced farmers, highlighted in both the research and their study, further hinders the ability to resume farming activities even after conflicts subside (Brown & Miller, 2022). Inter communal land conflicts in Apaa village had severe consequences on agricultural practices of women farmers, impacting their access to land, food security and farming practices in that it interfered with agricultural production. There needs to be a concerted effort to address historical grievances between the Acholi and Madi communities and mitigate political manipulation by powerful actors and investors to reduce the intensity of these conflicts. Initiatives aimed at fostering reconciliation and dialogue between communities can help build trust and promote mutual understanding. Strengthening local governance structures and promoting community-led conflict resolution mechanisms are also critical in addressing underlying tensions and preventing escalation of disputes.