Examining the Contribution of Women to the Socio-economic Development of Households in Kalungu Sub-county, Kalungu District.

Abstract

BUGEMBE ANDREW (2010-M093-10014) Examining the Contribution of Women to the Socio-economic Development of Households in Kalungu Sub-county, Kalungu District. The study was undertaken under the topic “Examining the Contribution of women to the Socio-economic Development of Households in Kalungu Sub-county, Kalungu District”. The research investigated the extent and significance of the women‟s (mothers) effort towards their households‟ development as compared to men (husbands) and how these contributions can be stepped up for even better household well-being. The research was guided by the following specific objectives: to find out the women‟s contribution to the education of their children; to establish the contribution of women towards the daily household basic needs; and the propositions towards the betterment of the women contributions to their households. The study was carried out in Kalungu sub-county. The tools used for the investigations included; a questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides, interview guides and observation guides which in all engaged a total of 260 respondents out of 320 subjects that were targeted. The questionnaire being the key data collection tool, engaged 165(83%) respondents out of the 200 (100%) targeted. The research findings indicate the wives‟ concerted effort than husbands to the education of their children as well as household basic needs. For example, in respect of the children‟s education, 112 50 (68%) respondents testified in favour of wives while 38(24%) supported husbands. For household basic needs, still women (wives) scored high with 125 (76%) respondents as compared to husbands with 35 (21%). The questionnaire analysis further noted the respondents‟ way-forward towards the improvement of women‟s contributions. These included, stepping up the girl-child‟s education; making reproductive health services accessible and affordable; combating patriarchy; legislating against domestic violence; and reduction of household poverty to mention but a few. Given the pivotal role played by women (wives) in the socio-economic development of their households and yet their contributions are not only unrecognised but also under–resourced, the following recommendations to improve the women‟s situation have been put forward: that government and other role players should support and encourage women‟s employment effort to facilitate them to access capital and credit in order to adequately meet their children‟s school fees and other learning needs; that relevant stakeholders should assist women (wives) to access modern agricultural extension services to enable them to produce more food for their households-the surplus of which could be sold to yield more household income; national and local leaders should advocate for women‟s land rights such as legislating for women land inheritance and titling land in women‟s names; the government and various role players should promote the health, sanitation and nutrition of the girl-child in school so as to improve the learning environment. Consequently, the girl-child will not only be retained in school but also her school performance will increase; that woman‟s economic rights such as accessing appropriate working conditions and ownership of property should be ensured in the household to break the vicious cycle of women‟s poverty. Key Words: Examining, Contribution, Women, Socio-economic Development, Households, Kalungu District