Women’s participation in decentralized governance in Buikwe district-a case study of Nyenga, Najja and Buikwe sub counties.

Abstract

This study entitled, “Women`s Participation in Decentralized Governance in Buikwe District; A Case of Nyenga, Najja and Buikwe Sub Counties, was prompted by a period of low women`s visibility as participants in the governance of Buikwe district. The study’s main interest was investigating the participation of appointed and elected female leaders in the local government.

The general objective examined women`s political participation in Buikwe district under decentralized governance. The specific objectives of the study included: establishing the determinants of women’s participation in Buikwe district political governance, establishing the views of the voters about their women representatives at the local government and finding out the ways in which women representatives enhance or fail to represent women`s interests in Buikwe district. An analytical study design was used in interrogating women`s participation in Buikwe District Local Government. Data was collected by use of two methods which were interviews and Focus Group Discussions.

The findings of the study revealed that women`s participation in the decentralized governance of Buikwe was influenced by: one`s proximity to trading centers, the reservation of 1/3 political seats for women in the district, opportunity for women to elect their leaders, levels of income of the women, freedom to compete, leadership skills possessed by women, the education level of women as well as previous political achievements by the women in the district.

Based on the results, the study recommends that measures should be put in place to strengthen the education of the rural-based girl-child and more economic empowerment of women needs to be achieved. These will enable them to actively participate in politics for the good of fellow women whom they represent. Lastly, the study suggests that men should be mobilized to work together and support women during electoral processes.