Factors influencing women unemployment in Uganda

Abstract

Women in Uganda,have limited income opportunities compared with men. Women are less likely to work for income or actively seek work. The global labor force participation rate for women is just over 62.05% compared to 80% for men. This study sought to examine the Factors influencing women unemployment in Uganda. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of demographic factors on women employment in Uganda, and to determine the effects of socioeconomic factors on women employment in Uganda. The study used secondary data from 2016 UDHS dataset The study findings revealed that a number of factors affect women unemployment in Uganda. The study found that age was significant in influencing unemployment among women(p(0.000)<0.05), especially the younger women who were found to be more unemployed as compared to the older women whereby as women grew their levels of unemployment fell. Also,Women’s marital status affected unemployment among women in Ugandap(0.000)<0.05whereby the study found that being married increased unemployment among women as compared to unmarried women also living with partner increased unemployment among women. Region of origin of respondents was significantin influencing unemployment whereby it was found that central 1, central 2, East Central, West Nile Regionand western region had further less unemployment of women than Kampalasince p(0.037)<0.05. The study findings revealed that out of the type of residence significantly influenced unemployment whereby among the urban population majority were employed while only those that were unemployed were only 942. Education was revealed to be statistically significant in affecting unemployment among women in Uganda whereby the study found that having no education increased unemployment while having secondary level reduced unemployment among women in Uganda. Also poor women employed more than the rich women. Lastly husband/partner’s educational attainment was statistically significant in influencing unemployment among women in Ugandawhereby Out of the 1402, 11 were employed while 391 were not employed. Also husband/partner’s educational attainment was statistically significant in influencing unemployment among women in Uganda since p(0.000)<0.05.. The government should put more emphasis on education for all in order to attract more girls to enter school especially to finish secondary level, this has shown through the study that completion of secondary level influenced decrease in unemployment among women in Uganda.