Women unemployment rate rises

Nabakooza Lydia

A recent report released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) indicates that unemployment among women aged 18-30 has increased from 8.9% in 2012/2013 to 13.2 percent in 2016/2017, an increase of 4.3 percent.

This is attributed to some companies and organisations that do not want to employ women.

Women continue being discriminated against when it come to employment.

And this is not due to lack of jobs or qualifications, but harsh employers who discriminate against them.

Sarah Shamim is one of those who were once denied a job. And even when she got one, she claims she was discriminated against.

This inspired her to start her own business, dealing in African wear and shoes among other items

For the men unemployment reduced from 8.9 percent to 5.8 percent  over the same period.

According to the researchers, women in the 18-30 age bracket are regarded to be in reproductive age and this has an impact on the operations of some companies.

Statistics from UBOS shows that of the 37.7 million Ugandans, 52 percent are women, meaning they constitute the biggest percentage of Uganda’s labour force.

Professor Julius Kikooma from Makerere University said that employing women in any organization comes with several benefits.

The minister for Labour, Gender and Social Development, Janat Mukwaya said young girls need to strike a balance between work and family.