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In 2021 and 2023, ILRI conducted studies in Mukono and Masaka districts to assess women's empowerment and the impact of social and gender norms on their participation in pig-related businesses. These studies utilized tools such as the Women's Empowerment in Livestock Index and the Women's Empowerment in Livestock Business Index to identify areas where women face challenges.
Key findings from these studies revealed that women often lack confidence in negotiating prices for pigs and related services, feel disadvantaged by pig traders due to an inability to estimate animal weights, and face societal stigmas when engaging in roles traditionally viewed as male-dominated, such as artificial insemination (AI) services and pig aggregation.
In response, ILRI collaborated with stakeholders, including the NGO Ripple Effect, to implement interventions aimed at mitigating these challenges. Gender accommodative strategies included conducting confidence-building sessions for women farmers, providing weigh bands to assist in accurate pig weight estimation, and supplying branded lab coats and badges to both male and female AI service providers to enhance their credibility. Additionally, women aggregators and butchers received protective gear to maintain cleanliness, addressing societal perceptions about women's involvement in these activities.
On the transformative front, ILRI organized radio talk shows and community dialogues to challenge and change restrictive gender norms. These platforms featured discussions with gender officers, community development officers, supportive men, and women engaged in non-traditional roles, aiming to sensitize communities and promote acceptance of women's participation in various pig-related enterprises.
These initiatives underscore the importance of both accommodating existing gender norms and actively working to transform them, ensuring that women can fully participate in and benefit from Uganda's pig industry.
December 23, 2024/ ILRI.
https://www.ilri.org
