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ItemGender based violence court and women’s access to justice: a case of Juba County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan(Makerere University, 2025)The study assessed the the effectiveness of Gender Based Violence Courts in Promoting Women and Girls access to Justice in Munuki Payam, Juba County. The study objectives were; to examine the services provided by the Gender Based Violence Court to women and girls seeking justice in Juba County; to assess the procedures required by the GBV courts for women and girls to access the services for GBV survivors, and to evaluate the effectiveness of Gender-Based Violence Courts in promoting access to justice for women and girls in Juba County, South Sudan. This study employed qualitative approach. A case study research design was followed. Munuki Payam was selected as the specific study area within Juba County. The study considered women and girls who had experienced or were at risk of experiencing GBV, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence. Data was collected from 10 survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and 06 key informants. Purposive sampling strategy was applied in this study, because the researcher believed that by interviewing women/girls who access justice from the specialized GBV court would give the information needed for the study. Thematic analysis was used with help of Atlas.ti software to identify patterns and themes from qualitative data. The study found that the GBV courts offer legal and psychological support services. The study also identified barriers that survivors face when accessing support services, including fear, shame, language barriers, and transportation costs. The study notes that the cost of transportation and case follow-up was a significant obstacle, despite the legal process itself being technically free accessing the courts. One of the key findings of the study was that the GBV courts played a role in raising awareness and educating the public about women's and girls' rights. The study recommends that it is crucial to establish more GBV courts in other states or regions because this would reduce the travel burden for survivors and make access to justice more equitable
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ItemWomen’s economic empowerment through community driven development: a case of the parish development model beneficiaries in Luwero District(Makerere University, 2025)The study sought to document the effects of the Parish Development Model (PDM) on women’s economic empowerment in Zirobwe Town Council, Luwero District. The key themes of the study were to investigate the extent to which the Parish Development Model has improved women’s access to and control over productive resources, assess the extent to which the PDM (Parish Development Model) has enhanced women’s incomes and examine the effect of the Parish Development Model on women’s participation in decision-making processes. The study managed to reach 233 women participants using stratified random sampling technique and these took part in collecting quantitative data using the survey questionnaire. Qualitative Methods such as the Key informant interviews (targeting CDOs, Production Officers, Parish Chiefs, PDM SACCO Managers, Town Agents), IDIs (especially PDM Group Leaders/women leaders/representatives) and Focus Group Discussions (comprising women PDM beneficiaries) were conducted to attain a deeper understanding or perceptions about the PDM and WEE. The study employed both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to analyse the collected data. The study adopted Naila Kabeer’s (1999 and 2001) theoretical framework on women’s economic empowerment (WEE), which defines empowerment as “the expansion in a person’s ability to make strategic life choices in a context where this ability was previously denied to them.” Kabeer conceptualizes WEE as a dynamic process involving three interconnected dimensions i.e., resources, agency, and achievements that together illustrate the pathways through which empowerment occurs. Findings revealed that PDM has enabled women to access and utilize productive resources such as land, enhanced women’s incomes through enterprise investment and profit generation, and increased women’s participation in household and community decision-making. PDM has contributed to improved well-being and economic resilience among women. However, implementation challenges were noted for both PDM implementers and women beneficiaries. Implementers faced challenges such as diversion of funds, inadequate financing, community mindset barriers, and spousal manipulation of women participants. Women beneficiaries experienced late fund disbursement, inadequate PRF amounts, unclear guidelines, heavy workloads, cultural constraints, market limitations, price fluctuations, poor record-keeping, low education levels, and limited land access. Recommendations included strengthening sensitization on PRF guidelines, mandatory pre- disbursement training, robust monitoring systems, need to increase budget allocations, strategic partnerships, and gender-sensitive household role-sharing initiatives. The study concludes that while PDM significantly contributes to women’s economic empowerment, deliberate and coordinated stakeholder efforts are essential to address implementation gaps. Future research should explore male household members’ influence on women’s participation, control over PDM resources, and decision-making power to optimize gender-responsive outcomes.
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ItemReintegration of women prisoners in Yemeni communities: a gender analysis of prison support models(Makerere University, 2025)The successful reintegration of women prisoners into society is a critical benchmark of a rehabilitative justice system, yet in conflict-affected and highly patriarchal contexts like Yemen, this process is fraught with unique, gendered challenges. This study provides a critical gender analysis of prison support models to investigate the prospects for the reintegration of women prisoners in Yemeni communities. The research is situated within the complex interplay of Yemen's ongoing civil war, institutional collapse, and deep-seated socio-cultural norms that disproportionately marginalize women. It addresses a significant gap in the literature by moving beyond statistical data to centrally position the lived experiences, perceptions, and self-identified needs of incarcerated women themselves. Employing a qualitative feminist case study design, this research was conducted at Aden Central Prison. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with twenty incarcerated women, two focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with four prison staff members involved in rehabilitation. A thematic analysis approach, guided by an integrated theoretical framework of Liberal Feminist Theory and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, was used to analyze the data. The findings reveal a profound disconnect between existing prison support programs and the complex realities of women’s lives. The current models, primarily consisting of short-term, often interrupted vocational training in traditionally feminine skills like sewing and hairdressing, are fundamentally inadequate. They lack a gender-sensitive lens and fail to equip women with viable, market-relevant skills for economic survival post-release. The analysis further exposes that reintegration is thwarted by a powerful convergence of structural barriers beyond the prison walls. These include pervasive social stigma, systemic familial and community rejection, profound economic hardship, and the unaddressed legacy of pre-incarceration and carceral trauma. A critical insight from the study is that for Yemeni women, successful re-entry is contingent as much on restoring social belonging and psychological well-being as it is on achieving economic independence. In response, this study proposes a comprehensive, gender-responsive framework for overhauling the prison support system. This model advocates for integrated, multi-level interventions that simultaneously target individual, institutional, and community levels. Key components include the implementation of market-aligned livelihood programs, the integration of trauma-informed mental health care, dedicated initiatives for family and community mediation and reconciliation, and the establishment of robust post-release support mechanisms including mentorship and safe housing. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the prevailing support models in Yemeni prisons are ill-equipped to facilitate meaningful reintegration. The evidence compellingly argues that a paradigm shift is essential. By transforming prison support from a perfunctory service into a holistic, gender-responsive ecosystem that simultaneously addresses the economic, social, and psychological dimensions of exclusion, stakeholders can foster sustainable reintegration. This transformation is not merely a corrective measure but a fundamental imperative for breaking the cycle of marginalization, upholding the rights and dignity of women prisoners, and contributing to safer, more cohesive communities in Yemen.
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ItemThe influence of gender norms on child marriages: a case of the Madi ethnic group in Adjumani District, Northern Uganda.(Makerere University, 2025)The study examined the influence of gender norms on child marriages in the madi ethnic group in adjumani district. The specific objectives were to examine how gender norms around socially constructed roles and responsibilities shape child marriage practices, to assess how gender norms influencing access to resources and life opportunities perpetuate child marriage and to analyze how gender norms related to power and decision-making in families and local governance structures influence child marriages in Adjumani District. A cross-sectional survey design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was employed, with a sample of 138 respondents selected from an accessible population of 161. The findings revealed that gender norms defining socially constructed roles and responsibilities are strongly associated with the prevalence of child marriages in Adjumani District. Additionally, the study established a strong link between genderbased inequalities in access to resources and life opportunities and the occurrence of child marriages. Furthermore, norms related to power and decision-making authority within households and communities were also found to significantly influence the persistence of child marriages. The study recommended that Adjumani District implement gender-transformative programs to challenge traditional roles and responsibilities assigned to girls, which often perpetuate child marriage. It further recommended the district’s collaboration with civil society organizations, to lead community sensitization campaigns aimed at reshaping public perceptions. Additionally, expanding girls' access to quality education, vocational training, and economic opportunities, particularly in rural and refugee-hosting areas. Lastly, the study urged the district to promote inclusive decision-making structures that empower girls and women to participate meaningfully in matters affecting their lives, especially those related to marriage.
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ItemThe effects of men's exclusion on Uganda women entrepreneurship programme funds recovery rates : a case study of Mityana Municipal Council - Mityana District(Makerere University, 2025)The Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) aims to enhance women’s economic empowerment by providing financial and technical support for enterprise development. However, fund recovery rates remain a persistent challenge in many local governments. This study investigates the effects of male exclusion on UWEP funds recovery rates in Mityana Municipal Council, Mityana District. Employing a case study design, the research utilized qualitative approaches to examine how the limited involvement of men particularly spouses, household decision-makers, and community influencers affects project implementation and loan repayment among women beneficiary groups. The findings indicate that male exclusion contributes to inadequate household support, financial decision-making conflicts, weakened group dynamics, and gaps in project monitoring, collectively leading to low recovery rates. The study concludes that incorporating men into programme sensitization, financial literacy initiatives, and household-level planning can enhance compliance and improve repayment performance. It recommends adopting gender-inclusive strategies that promote women’s empowerment while leveraging constructive male engagement to strengthen the sustainability of UWEP interventions.