Integrating Women’s Reproductive Roles with Productive Activities in Commerce: The Case of Businesswomen in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Uganda has registered signi® cant improvement regarding economic growth and the raising of women’s status at the macro level. Commerce is one of the sectors that attracts women of varying social status. The paper is based on an exploratory and cross-sectional study that focused on Kampala businesswomen’s experiences in coping with productive and reproductive roles. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were utilised. The survey involved a total of 224 women. Results reveal an increasingly asymmetric gender division of roles, to women’s disadvantage, especially as their incomes increase. Women’s experiences in integrating reproductive roles and productive activities in commerce, which have a strong bearing on their economic performance, are discussed.