Gender dynamics and extent of women smallholder livestock farmers’ empowerment to control peste des petits ruminants and Newcastle disease, Sembabule District

Abstract

There is insufficient information that has been documented about women empowerment in smallholder livestock production in rural communities of Uganda. This study sought to establish the role of gender dynamics and small holder women farmer empowerment in control of Peste des Petits ruminants and Newcastle disease in Sembabule District, Central Uganda using the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) tool. A quantitative survey was done with 300 index women and 100 male respondents making a total of 400 interviews. An index woman was defined as a woman who contributes to decision making in a household. A module on vaccine use for Newcastle disease (NCD) in chickens and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goats at the household level was embedded into the WELI survey tool to determine the extent of vaccine utilization and its relationship with women’s empowerment. Data was analysed using frequency counts, percentages and regression analysis. The factors identified to be positively associated with women’s empowerment included the high level of participation in livestock related activities, deciding about their livestock production and controlling income derived from their livestock. Factors that contributed to disempowerment included lack of balance between productive work and non-productive work, dissatisfaction with life, lack of participation in influential groups in the community and disrespect from the husband or main adult male in the home. Results showed there was limited access to knowledge on vaccine use and very low vaccine adoption at household level which negatively affected smallholder indigenous chicken and goat production; Less than 20% of women had access to information regarding vaccinating goats against PPR and chicken against NCD respectively. Lastly, the study observed that women’s empowerment cannot fully be realized without involving men in the process and measuring both participation and benefit of women participation in livestock production.