Patriarchy and socio-economic empowerment of women with disabilities in Uganda: a case of Nwoya county, Nwoya district northern Uganda.

Abstract

The study was set out to examine influence of patriarchy on socio-economic empowerment of women with disabilities in Nwoya County, Nwoya District. The study was based on four objectives: (i) to examine the influence of ownership, of property to socioeconomic empowerment of WWDs in Nwoya County, Nwoya District, (ii) to analyze relationship between control of production and socioeconomic empowerment of WWDs in Nwoya County, Nwoya District, (iii) to examine the exiting community copying strategies of socioeconomic empowerment WWDs and (iv) to examine the relationship between demographic factors and socioeconomic empowerment of women with disabilities The study design comprised of a combination of both descriptive research designs and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed. A sample size of 367 was used. Data was collected using self-administer questionnaires, interviews and review of related literature. Study findings in revealed that 243(66.3%) agreed that women who own property are better positioned to improve their lives. However, 104(28.3%) were in disagreement with the statement. Result of findings revealed that 208(56.7%) were in agreement that asset control can give women with disability greater bargaining power. Findings presents that 221(60.2%) agreed that women with disability less secure economically are vulnerable to HIV infection. Findings further revealed that Majority 245(66.7%) of the respondents were in agreement that women are mostly involved in farming and food processing. It was revealed that in Nwoya County women are mostly involved in farming and food processing because they do not have access to land but can only use the land at the benevolence of their husbands and brothers. Result of findings revealed that 272(74.1%) of the respondents were in agreement that women are doubly disadvantaged due to poverty and their gender The study recommends that the government should extend infrastructures in rural areas like Nwoya County, Nwoya District so as to improve on the market access of women with disability. The government has to take a proactive role to ensure family sizes are contained. This can be through family planning and child spacing campaigns. There is also need to educate women and emphasize development of skills unlike formal education where the emphasis is usually placed in completion of a class and gaining certification.