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PERSPECTIVE OF UGANDAS MGLSD Presented during Policy Experts on Female Entrepreneurship. 11 th May, 2015, Nairobi Kenya FEMALE ENTREPRENUERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT 1

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POLICY CONTEXT In Ugandas vision 2040, achieving gender equality and womens empowerment has been identified as a prerequisite for social economic transformation. The overall vision for the country is A Transformed Ugandan Society from a Peasant to a Modern and Prosperous Country within 30 years. 2

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Policy context cont The National Development Plan NDP 1(2010/11-2014/15) targets creating employment, raising average per capita income levels, improving labour force distribution thus improving human development and gender equality indicators. NDP 1 objectives focus on; increasing household incomes and promoting equity and, enhancing the availability and quality of gainful employment. The Plan identifies gender issues, negative attitudes, mind-set, cultural practices and perceptions as factors that may hinder realization of the vision. 3

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Policy context cont NDP 11 (2010/11-2014/15) focuses on the theme; Strengthening Uganda`s Competitiveness for Sustainable Wealth Creation, Employment and Inclusive Growth has a specific intervention on promotion of womens economic empowerment through entrepreneurship skills, provision of incentives and enhancing their participation in decision making at all levels. 4

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POLICY CONTEXT The Uganda Gender Policy 2007 provides a clear framework for identification, implementation and coordination of interventions designed to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. The policy prescribes interventions that improve the earning potential of women and respond to the diverse livelihood needs of women and men. 5

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POLICY CONTEXT The National Employment Policy recognizes that employment of vulnerable groups such as women is important for wealth creation and poverty eradication. The strategies provided for in the policy focus on promotion, collection and dissemination of improved data and statistics and designing programmes that involve and benefit the most disadvantages groups including women. The policy recommends providing support to young people, particularly women to make a transition from informal to formal employment. 6

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Status Women in Uganda constitute majority of farmers and unpaid workers as they are responsible for most of the care economy. Less than 12% of economically active women are in paid employment as compared to 25% of economically active men. The remainder are either self employed or contribute to unpaid family labour. Male participation rate in wage sectors is more than 3 times that of women. Even in paid employment, women are more likely than men to be in low-status, poorly paid jobs. About 50% of employed women work in the lowest paying three sectors, namely agriculture, household and mining and quarrying as compared to 33% of men working in those sectors. 7

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Labour indicators Indicator by Sector/Thematic Area 2002/032005/062009/10 FemaleMaleFemaleMaleFemaleMale Agricultural Labor Force % of total female/male labor force 72.35562.463.871.158.5 Unemployment rate 2.62.32.21.74.52.6 Industry Labor Force % of total female/male labor force 5.510.82.99511.4 Services Labor Force % of total female/male labor force 20.830.115.922.920.524.1 8

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MAIN QUESTIONS FOR PROMOTING WOMEN ENTRENUERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT Women face a number of challenges and barriers as they attempt to start and grow their own enterprises among which are the regulatory processes such licencing and taxes. To what extent will reforming investment regulations and domestic/local revenue generation system enable women entrepreneurs improve the status of their businesses. Determine the capacity needs (knowledge, financial literacy, and other skills) of women entrepreneurs that will enable them to transition their productive activities from small scale to commercial business enterprises? 9

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The National Cooperative Policy (2011) focuses on strengthening the organization and capacity of savings and credit cooperative societies(SACCOS) an important source of credit for women especially in rural areas. Group formation is encouraged among women entrepreneurs to access a grant/loan. The group members provide collateral to secure a loan. However, some of these groups are managed by men (from behind). The Census of Business Establishments 2010/11, reveals that the proportion of women owned enterprises increased by 19, up from37%. How viable and functional are women groups in promoting enterprises development? MAIN QUESTIONS FOR PROMOTING WOMEN ENTRENUERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT 10

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MAIN QUESTIONS... Education is a key component of human capital quality that is essential for employability, higher incomes and sustainable economic growth. Lack of education is among the barriers that limits the scope of women enterprise activity and is one of the largest causes of poverty for Uganda households. The Government of Uganda introduced Affirmative Action in 1990 for girls joining Tertiary Institutions by introducing 1.5 extra points to increase girls enrollment at public universities. There is need to undertake a tracer study on Affirmative action policy in education for girls/women and vis--vis trends in employment and wages. 11

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MAIN QUESTIONS cont.. Universal Primary Education (UPE) was introduced in 1997 and Universal Secondary Education(USE) in 2007. Functional Adult Literacy was reactivated to cater for all those who dropped out of school or missed the opportunity to go to school. What is the performance of the women entrepreneurs at different levels of education in the informal sector? 12

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In pursuing their livelihood strategies, majority of women are faced with the burden of limited time based on the gender roles that they undertake( domestic tasks, agricultural and other productive work). This has a negative impact on their health as well as productivity levels. Identify the gender and livelihood options for women that not only improve their incomes but also their access to productive resources and ability to perform their reproductive tasks more efficiently. Eighty two percent (82%) of Ugandas economically active population lives in rural areas. Approximately 53 percent of these are women. Assess employment generation in both formal and informal sectors with a focus on rural employment generation for women. MAIN QUESTIONS FOR PROMOTING WOMEN ENTRENUERSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT 13

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USE OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE FROM RESEARCH ON THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENUERS Policy formulation is highly consultative and evidence based. Passing a policy is based on evidence, as well as enacting/revising laws, developing plans and programs. Information is used as a rationale or justification for policy for interventions and programe e.g. development of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programe(UWEP), formulation of the new Social Sector Development Plan that will be aligned to Vision 2040 and NDPII (2016/17-2020/21) where womens economic empowerment is a priority area of intervention. 14

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USE OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE FROM RESEARCH.. Advocacy towards changing the women status requires credible data. Influencing sectors to mainstream issues of womens empowerment is backed by credible data/information. However there is inadequate data/information on women enterprise development. 15

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Useful Existing Knowledge Ministries, Departments and Agencies have done some researches but it is still scattered and not packaged as usable data for policy formulation. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics(UBOS) conducts surveys that cover various thematic areas e.g. the 2011 survey had a module on women enterprises. Engaging Uganda Bureau of Statistics separately is expensive though its data is authentic and can be quoted. 16

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Useful Existing Knowledge.. There is also existing knowledge with Civil Society Organizations (both national international) that have supported women economic empowerment eg UWEAL,Uganda Finance Trust and National Women Council that gives grants to districts for empowerment of women. Existing knowledge on the implementation and womens participation in Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). 17

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Packaging of Information for Policy Makers and Practitioners Policy briefs that summarize the gaps/issues and present recommendations for policy actions by policy makers and practitioners. Newsletters/bulletins that are regularly published. Documentaries on successful interventions. Publication on lessons learn and best/good practices. Compendium on existing successful women enterprises. 18

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THANK YOU 19