Working conditions and the rights of women living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda: A case study of Walukuba/Masese Division-Jinja District, South Eastern Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the violation of right to health and right to work and focused mainly on the conditions of work and Rights of women living with HIV/AIDS in their work place. Specifically the study assessed: the relationship between conditions of work and Rights of women living with HIV//AIDS, levels of stigma among women living with HIV/AIDS and identified the human rights issues that can improve on the conditions of work and eliminate stigma. The research was a case study of Walukuba/Masese Division-Jinja Municipal Council southern Eastern Uganda; the study targeted 100 women living with HIV/AIDS irrespective of their age and marital status. The study used random sampling technique to select 50 respondents (50%) . Number 1-100 were written and the respondents blind -picked them. Those who picked numbers 1-50 were considered for the study. The researcher employed quite a number of data collection tools like Questionnaires, interview Guides and Documentation. The information recorded on interview schedules (responses) were sorted, organized and classified according to themes. Field notes from key informants were systematically transcribed and summarized. The data was be analyzed using Scientific Package for Social Scientist (SPSS .10) which resulted into tables. According to the study results, the researcher noted that; there was a positive correlation between conditions of work and rights, yet there were also moderate levels of stigma among women living with HIV which were indicated by 46% compared with 34% respondents. There fore it was evidently clear that there were high levels of stigma among women living with HIV. And indeed there were moderate levels of marginalization which was evident in the low level of response rate towards freedom to work. Indeed only 18% of the respondents believed that they had a right to work, 16% of respondents also believed that they had freedom of association and only 18% of the respondents believed that there was equality. These low levels of percentages were evidently suggesting that there was a lot still desired in uplifting the rights of women living with HIV/AIDS. To this note the researcher concluded that rights and working conditions are related as it was indicated by the results of r = .964 and p =.003. Since the p (.003) which was less than the level of significance of .05 and also human rights issues among women living with HIV/AIDS were not yet addressed and the researcher also noted that stigma levels were considerably reducing due to the existence of organized local-based women groups that provided hope and happiness. Therefore it is advisable that the ministry of Gender and Labour should intervene by sensitizing people living with HIV/AIDS, and also helped by Non- Governmental Organizations about rights of PLWH so that stigma can be controlled and also the government should strengthen policies to improve the working conditions.