School of Women and Gender Studies (SWGS) Collection
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ItemEffects of intimate partner violence on women in informal settlements: a case study of Katanga, Kampala District(Makerere University, 2026)Intimate partner violence remains a major concern affecting women’s wellbeing, safety and participation in everyday life, especially in informal settlements where poverty, overcrowding, stigma and limited support services may increase women’s vulnerability. This study examined the effects of intimate partner violence on women in Katanga informal settlement, with specific focus on Kimwanyi Zone, Kampala. The study was guided by six objectives: to explore the psychological effects of IPV, examine the social effects, analyse the economic effects, analyse the physical health effects, barriers that women face when seeking help and examine the coping mechanisms and support systems available to women experiencing IPV. A qualitative case study design was adopted. Data were collected from 14 participants, including 10 women survivors of intimate partner violence through in-depth interviews and 4 key informants through key informant interviews. The key informants included community and service providers knowledgeable about IPV in the study area. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data according to the study objectives. The findings revealed that IPV affected women in multiple and interconnected ways. Psychologically, women experienced fear, anxiety, trauma, sleeplessness, hopelessness, low self-esteem and loss of confidence. Socially, IPV led to isolation, withdrawal from friends and community activities, stigma, shame and weakened support networks. Economically, IPV reduced women’s income, disrupted small businesses, increased financial dependence and limited opportunities for education, training and livelihood improvement. Physically, women experienced bruises, burns, swelling, chronic pain, reproductive health risks and delayed care-seeking. Women used coping mechanisms such as silence, endurance, avoidance, prayer, secret savings, continued work and support from trusted relatives, neighbours and friends, although help-seeking was limited by fear of retaliation, stigma, financial dependence, concern for children, lack of information, mistrust of institutions and lack of safe places to go after reporting. The study concludes that intimate partner violence is a serious psychological, social, economic and public health problem affecting women in Katanga informal settlement. It recommends strengthened community sensitization, confidential support services, counselling, safe spaces, economic empowerment, improved referral systems, and coordinated responses by community leaders, health workers, police, NGOs and government. It also recommends engaging men, families and the wider community in IPV prevention to reduce stigma, harmful gender norms and the normalization of violence within intimate relationships
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ItemExploring male students' perceptions and experiences on mental health at Makerere University(Makerere University, 2023)The purpose of this study was to explore male students’ perceptions and experiences of mental health, taking on a case study of Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. The study adopted a qualitative case study research design as the most appropriate due to its descriptive and explanatory power. Participants discussed and explained their perceptions and experiences of mental health along with its challenges. This enabled me to gather information by use of In-depth interviews and key informant Interviews. Results indicate that it is not a question on whether male students experience mental health challenges, rather, that they suffer in silence many times not even aware that there are institutions that could help. In addition, the study established family background as a contributing factor of mental health challenges among male university students. This research proposes the need for advocacy on male students’ accessibility of mental health services and putting an end to the stigma attached to men speaking up about the struggles they experience not only at home but also in institutions of learning. It also points out how socialization plays a big role in shaping who these male students become as well as the struggles they find them-selves experiencing, many times, alone. The study puts across both collective and individual recommendations to help tackle male silence amidst struggles. Further, the research findings propose structural and institutional recommendations that inform policy makers to draft policies and programs for mental health services as well as preventive measures.
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ItemSocial - musicking as therapy: eclampsia in women in three hospitals in Kampala Metropolitan Area(Makerere University, 2023-08)This study investigated the impact of music therapy on anxiety, stress, and blood pressure in women with eclampsia in Uganda, a serious pregnancy complication that can lead to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The researcher used the phenomenology qualitative research method to assign participants to either a music therapy intervention or a control group. Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings suggested that music therapy could effectively reduce anxiety, stress, and blood pressure in women with eclampsia. Participants reported feeling calmer, more relaxed, and less anxious after receiving music therapy. The study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of music therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing anxiety, stress, and high blood pressure in low-resource settings. The research can improve the quality of life and health outcomes of women with eclampsia in Uganda and other similar settings and highlights the importance of considering patients' subjective experiences and perspectives in healthcare interventions.
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ItemSocial and gender norms related to dress code as a driver of sexual harassment: a case study of Makerere University, Uganda(Makerere University, 2022-12-01)This study focused on the social and gender norms associated with dress code as a driver of Sexual Harassment at Makerere University. The general objective of the research study was to examine the social and gender norms associated with dress code as drivers of sexual harassment at Makerere University. The specific objectives included: establishing the student‟s and staff‟s understanding of sexual harassment; examining the social and gender norms related to female and male dress code, exploring the influence of the social and gender norms associated with female and male dress code on sexual harassment at Makerere University and finding out student‟s and staff‟s suggestions on shifting the negative norms related to dress code as a driver of sexual harassment. The main research approach was qualitative and it provided perceptions and experiences of students and staff through a case study of Makerere University. Two units were purposively selected namely College of business and Management Sciences (COBAMS) and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS )where the participants were randomly selected. The methods of data collection included key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth/individual interviews. One of the key findings is that majority of the participants agreed that Sexual Harassment takes on the form of forced sex or any other sexual activity like kissing without one‟s consent. On dress code, it was observed that different societies, families, religious institutions and cultures have defined how men and women should dress as most of the participants said. These institutions were noted to have set up the rules on how one should dress. While some participants argued that dress code is one of the major drivers of sexual harassment especially the female dress code, others contradicted saying that dress code is an influencer to a very less extent. Participants suggested that information on sexual harassment should be disseminated through orientations and trainings so that morality especially in terms of behavior is promoted rather than considering dress code as the under lying problem. The study findings show that dress code at Makerere University cannot be standard because of the fact that the institution comprises of different people from different societies with different styles of dress.
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ItemMode of transmission and protection measures against COVID-19(Makerere University, 2020)The covid-19 pandemic is considered as the most crucial global health calamity of the century and the greatest challenge that the human kind faced since the 2nd World war. In December 2019, a new infectious respiratory disease emerged in Wuhan, Hubai province, China and was named by the world Health Organization as Covid-19 (Corona Virus, known as SARS-COV-2(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2) has been found to be responsible for occurrence of this disease. As far as the history of Human Civilization is concerned there are instances of severe outbreaks of diseases caused by a number of viruses. According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO as of April 18 2020), the current outbreaks of covid-19, has affected over 2,164,111 people and killed more than 196,198 people in more than 200 countries throughout the world. Till now there is no report of any clinically approved antiviral drugs or vaccines that are effective against Covid-19. It has rapidly spread around the world, posing enormous health, economic, environmental and social challenges to the entire human population. The coronavirus outbreak is severely disrupting the global economy. Almost all the nations are struggling to slow down the transmission of the disease by testing and treating patients, quarantining suspected persons through contact tracing, restricting large gatherings, maintaining complete or partial lock-down etc. This report describes the mode of transmission and protection measures against Covid-19.