Determinants of women empowerment indicators in Uganda

Abstract

Persisting gender stereotypes of Uganda restrict women’s mobility, their participation in decision making and also deprive them from their inherited property. It is a common perception that nations cannot make remarkable progress in any fields of life until women are empowered. Keeping in view, this study attempted to examine the determinants of the women empowerment indicators in Uganda. The investigation was based on the 2011 Uganda Demographic Health Survey which was cross-sectional where 8,674 women aged 15 to 49 were visited. Different statistical tools that is, mean, standard deviation, chi square test for association among others were employed to systematically present the information and to develop the relationship among the various explanatory variables and dependent variables. In order to observe the causality of relationship between the women empowerment indicators and their important determinants, a logistic regression model and a multinomial logistic regression model were developed.

The univariate analysis indicated that a big number of the women owned neither a house (56.8%) nor Land (60.7%) and only 18% made their own decisions on large household purchases. Analysis of the data provided important results to comprehend the women empowerment indicators as explained. The regression results showed that age, employment status, educational level and children ever born had a positive effect on women empowerment indicators that is, decision making on large household purchases, ownership of a house and land and these were statistically significant. However, for variable children ever born the chances of owning a house and land exhibit diminishing returns as the number of children ever born multiplies because there is a maximum number of children a woman must have to have a higher probability of owning land and a house. So, based on the empirical results, it can be concluded that the older age, being employed, having a higher education level and having a modest number of children ever born play a positive role for the women to be empowered in terms of ownership of a house, land and decision making on large household purchases in Uganda. The inference of the study suggests vigorous change in female education can bring greater knowledge and self-esteem. This study also highlights the importance of active participation of government and non-government agencies for mobilizing and organizing women groups, and thereby developing their awareness level, inherent skills and earning capabilities.