Understanding Gender Dynamics in Refugee and Host Communities
Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa, with over 1.67 million refugees as of April 2024. While Uganda’s progressive refugee policies allow refugees to work and integrate, gender disparities significantly impact the livelihoods and empowerment of women and girls in these communities. The LEAD Uganda gender analysis, conducted across four major refugee settlements—Nakivale, Kyaka II, Kiryandongo, and Rhino—provides insights into the gender-related challenges faced by refugees and host communities, as well as recommendations for promoting gender equality and empowering vulnerable groups.
Key Findings
Access to resources and livelihoods
Land ownership and control
Women face significant barriers in accessing and controlling land and other productive assets due to deeply entrenched patriarchal norms. In many cases, land is controlled by men, and women must seek their approval to use it. Even when women inherit land, ownership often shifts to their husbands upon marriage.
Limited livelihood opportunities
While refugees engage in various economic activities (e.g., small-scale trading, agriculture, and informal labor), women have fewer opportunities to participate in income-generating activities due to household responsibilities and limited access to resources.
Education and skills gaps
The lack of education, especially among women and girls, further limits their ability to engage in economic activities. Social norms often prioritize boys’ education, leaving girls more vulnerable to early marriage and poverty.
Gender roles and social norms
Unequal division of labour
Women and girls bear the majority of domestic and agricultural responsibilities, leaving them with limited time for paid work. Men are more involved in decision-making, animal grazing, and property maintenance.
Social expectations:
Traditional norms often view women primarily as caregivers, limiting their roles in economic and community activities. This cultural expectation hinders women’s participation in training and livelihood programs.
Mobility and decision-making
Restricted movement
Women’s mobility is often limited due to cultural norms requiring them to seek permission from male relatives to leave the household. This restricts their access to services and economic opportunities.
Decision-making Power
Men dominate household decision-making, especially regarding economic activities and asset management. This dynamic perpetuates women’s financial dependency and limits their economic agency.
Challenges in accessing services
Healthcare and technology
Gender disparities exist in accessing healthcare and information technology. Women have less access to mobile phones and other communication tools, which are essential for economic and social empowerment.
Violence and exploitation
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant barrier to women’s participation in livelihood activities. Social acceptance of violence against women further exacerbates their vulnerability.
Recommendations for gender-responsive programming
Enhance access to resources and training
- Implement gender-sensitive programs that increase women’s access to land, financial services, and training opportunities. This includes supporting joint land-leasing arrangements between host communities and refugees.
- Promote the participation of women in vocational training and link them with job placement opportunities.
Address social norms and promote gender equality
- Develop gender-transformative strategies to challenge traditional gender roles and promote equal participation in decision-making. This can include community dialogues and campaigns to shift perceptions about women’s roles.
- Engage men and boys in gender equality initiatives to create supportive environments for women’s empowerment.
Strengthen monitoring and evaluation for gender impact
- Incorporate gender-specific indicators in project monitoring to track progress towards reducing gender disparities. Regular assessments should be conducted to adapt programming based on emerging gender dynamics.
Improve access to services and information
- Expand access to technology for women, such as mobile phones and digital literacy programs, to improve their ability to participate in economic activities and access information.
- Address gender-based violence through awareness campaigns, legal support services, and partnerships with women’s rights organizations.
This summary captures the essence of the gender analysis and the LEAD project’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for refugees and host communities in Uganda. You can find the downloadable summary report here or to read the full report, please contact us at LEADUganda@woordendaad.nl.
