Gender and Economic Growth in Uganda : Unleashing the Power of Women

by Ellis, Amanda; Manuel, Claire; Blackden, C. Mark

• ISBN13: 9780821363843
• ISBN10: 0821363840
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

Men and women both play significant, though different, economic roles in Uganda (both contribute around 50% of GDP and women are 39% of business owners). Gender inequality in access to and control of productive assets and resources acts as a brake to women's economic participation and limits economic growth. Labor and time constraints differentially affect women's and men's capacity to engage in business activity, with significant consequences for agricultural productivity in the context of strategic exports. It is therefore important for Uganda to unleash the full productive potential of female as well as male economic actors, if it is to achieve high and sustained rates of pro-poor growth.This book considers the relationship between gender and economic growth in Uganda in the specific context of promoting women's business and entrepreneurship. Building on the findings of the FIAS Uganda Administrative Barriers to Investment Report, 2003, 'Gender and Economic Growth in Uganda' identifies specific legal and administrative barriers to investment that have a gender dimension.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Acknowledgments	ix
Acronyms	xi
Overview	1	(14)
Key Findings	2	(5)
The Way Forward	7	(8)
1 Introduction	15	(12)
The Legal Framework and Political Context for Gender Equality	15	(10)
Initiatives to Address Growth and Gender Issues	25	(2)
2 How Are Growth and Gender Linked?	27	(11)
The Roles of Men and Women in the Ugandan Economy	27	(5)
Education and Fertility	32	(1)
Does Gender Inequality Limit Growth in Uganda?	33	(2)
Gender and Growth: A Macro Perspective	35	(1)
Conclusions	36	(2)
3 Establishing a Business: Registration, Approvals, and Access to Finance and Capital	38	(12)
Registration and Licensing Procedures Are Cumbersome and Costly	38	(7)
Women Lack Adequate Access to Finance	45	(5)
4 Locating a Business: Access to Land and Site Development	50	(9)
Why Do So Few Women in Uganda Have Control over Land?	51	(3)
Land Issues Have a Significant Impact on Women's Ability to Contribute to Economic Growth	54	(1)
Reform Efforts	55	(2)
Recommendations	57	(2)
5 Operating a Business: Tax Administration and Customs	59	(2)
6 Sectoral Perspective on Administrative Barriers to Investment and Labor Laws	61	(4)
7 Access to Justice	65	(5)
Reform Efforts	66	(2)
Recommendations	68	(2)
8 The Way Forward	70	(4)
Institutional Framework	70	(1)
Entry Points for Reform	71	(3)
Appendix: Summary of Consultations with Women Entrepreneurs in Kampala, Uganda	74	(4)
References	78	(7)
Index	85