GENDER BASED DISPARITY IN LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN UGANDA

The study examined the impact of gender based disparity in labour force participation on women empowerment in Uganda. In doing so it set out to achieve the following objectives: i. To examine the main causes of gender disparity in labour force participation in Uganda. ii. To evaluate the impact of gender disparity in labour force participation in women empowerment in Uganda. iii. To determine possible mechanisms to address gender disparity in labour force participation in Uganda. The study was guided by the Liberal Feminist Theory, which has its roots in the 19th century first-wave feminism. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study because it will help the researcher to: i). explore the real narrative of gender disparity in labour force in Uganda ii). identify and describe the causes and effects of gender based disparity in labour force in Uganda. iii). offer analysis and evaluation of the possible solutions. Given the nature and the intricacies of the issue under investigation, the study adopted a qualitative approach in data collection. Accordingly, 25 Key Informants participated in providing field data for the study, while data was analyzed using the content analysis method. The study found that gender disparity in labour force participation is preeminent in Uganda. Many Uganda women are employed as unpaid family workers, which suggests gender discrimination in occupation choices, but also to exploitation of women. The study also identified different factors that creates and sustain gender inequality and by extension perpetuating poverty in Uganda. These factors include cultural practices and orientation, illiteracy, to marriage and family challenges. Furthermore, the study found that gender disparity in labour force participation sustains poverty among households and has a negative impact on the economic growth and development of the country.