%A S.L. Kema
%L theses_frw3673
%X Traditional gender roles supressing women, and gender inequality remain big concerns in Uganda, despite more women becoming employed and higher educated. The present study aimed to understand the schemas of higher educated Ugandan women regarding gender equality and gender roles, both at home and at work, and how these motivated them to perform gender roles. This was done by conducting a secondary analysis of 22 in-depth interviews with female Ugandan sexuality education teachers. The findings show that many of the women experience or describe the ongoing suppression due to feeling stuck in cultural practices and religious norms in Uganda, despite being empowered in the sense they are higher educated and employed. Several values and perceived negative consequences (e.g., fear of losing marriage and children or experiencing gender-based violence) often motivated them to remain to perform more traditional gender roles. Conflicting schemas indicated that their roles at home did sometimes differ from those at work, showing a sense of agency due to authoritative feelings at work. This could imply a sense of empowerment leading them to act more in line with how they wanted. It can be concluded that women’s schemas on gender roles and gender equality can differ from the standard macro policy definitions. To further address the gender gap in Uganda, policies should look beyond existing macro indicators and integrate the subjective needs of women.
%T “You think about your children” - Understanding schemas on gender roles and gender equality of higher educated women in Uganda.
%D 2021