The impact of gender inequality on socio-economic development in Bududa district A Case Study: Bududa Sub County.

Abstract

The study set out to investigate the impact of gender inequality on socio economic development of Bududa district; A case study of Bududa Sub County. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine factors that lead to gender inequality in Bududa Sub County, to find out the impact of gender inequality on the socio economic development of Bududa Sub County and to explore mechanisms to balance gender equality in Bududa Sub County. It used the cross-sectional survey as its research design. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection were employed. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion guides and interview guides. The study found out that cultural norms, unequal control over resources, unequal education rights and unequal rights to decision making were among the factors leading to gender inequality in Bududa sub-county and, poverty, decreased productivity, low investment and slow growth rates were the impacts of gender inequality in Bududa sub-county. The study found out that equality in education, remuneration and benefits and inclusive decision making, rights to inheritance were the better strategies for combating gender equality in Bududa sub county. The study concluded that gender inequality in Bududa sub-county is real and very practical; parents prefer educating boys to girls. Girls are considered to be future wives therefore they are prepared for marriage. Any education and training should be geared towards preparing them to be good future wives. The study recommended that; the government and local authorities should come in and implement the gender policies of 1991 which stipulates that both women and men should be given equal rights to actively participated in social, economic and political activities, programmes, decision and policy making process. The local authorities and cultural leaders should come up strongly to condemn so the traditional customs and norms that are harmful to society, especially those that encourage widow inheritance and those that bar women from inheriting the property of their parents. Parents should offers equal opportunity to both girls and boys without segregating. Girls should only be prepared to be good wives. They should be given equal education opportunities by sending them to good schools where their brothers are sent and they should be encouraged to undertake subjects and courses which are summed to be for boys