Investigating factors causing gender inequality in physical education in Uganda: a case of Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district secondary schools

Abstract

Physical education is an important instrument for human resource development. Physical education is a universal human right and an important component of women empowerment. Gender inequality in physical education is a serious problem in Uganda since independence there is still lower enrolment rate for girls and higher dropout rates than their male counterparts in Uganda. This study explored factors causing gender inequality in physical education in Nansana municipality Wakiso district's secondary schools. The study was conducted using qualitative design. Forty three respondents were involved in the study through interview and focus group discussion. The findings indicated that inequality in access to physical education in secondary schools is caused by various factors including poverty, inadequate school infrastructure such as play grounds and sports equipment, lack of toilets and special room for matured girls, long distance from home to school and lack of sex education and early pregnancies. These are as barriers to equality in accessing physical education. Furthermore sexual harassment of girls by male coaches and community members, bad socio-cultural practices such as early and forced marriage, dowry, polygamy, religion and child labour practices prevent hundreds of girls to access physical education. The study further found that lack of access to physical education for girls and women lead to poverty, increase of child mortality rate, employment of women in informal sectors as well as increase of fertility rate. The study established strategies to bring equality in physical education including gender mainstreaming in coach training colleges and universities, change of negative-cultural beliefs and attitudes through mass physical education, protection of women and girls from violence by establishment of strict laws, increase of girl's enrolment and guidance and counseling programs.