Free Access | 2024-04-12

Understanding Women’s Labour Market Challenges in Uganda

Authors/Editors: Phionah Namuliira (PhD)

Abstract:

This policy brief addresses the underrepresentation of women in Uganda’s labour market, where their participation stands at 39.3% compared to 57.9% for men. Key challenges include wage disparities, with women earning less across all education levels, and a high concentration in low-skilled roles, particularly in the informal sector. Women face significant caregiving burdens, spending 29.7 hours weekly on unpaid care work, which limits their employment opportunities. To address the above challenges there is a need for several interventions, including implementing targeted vocational training, promoting workplace flexibility, expanding social protections for women in vulnerable employment, and providing skills training for NEET female youth to foster gender equality and inclusive economic growth.