By Chelsea Gomes | Communications Intern
The Uganda National Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2014, 269,000 people were jobless, and over 1.4 million people were underemployed. Of these Ugandans, women were proven to be the most impacted. The report stated that 3 out of every 5 unemployed persons were women. It specified that the number of hours spent by working women in non-economic activities (found to be 26 hours per week) was nearly four times that spent by men (7 hours). These alarming numbers highlight the amount of work done by women in Uganda, however, they are often unemployed or underemployed.
I am glad to have read this report during my time here at Shanti Uganda. I am able to hear the concerning employment statistics, while knowing that there are organizations in Uganda, aiming to improve these numbers. Shanti Uganda proves to be one of these supportive initiatives, as it employs 21 HIV positive mothers and grandmothers as members of their Women's Income Generating Group. Not only do Ugandan women have a low employment rate, but those living with HIV/AIDS encounter further challenges. These women may face poverty, single-parenthood, frequent illness due to low immunity, stigmatization and a lack of support.
Shanti Uganda provides 21 women with skills training and business skills that they are applying to their lives in order to succeed. The women receive a regular and reliable income every month for their hard work and are paid above fair trade prices. The women may choose to work in either the textiles or beading group, where they fabricate beautiful bags and jewelry that are sold online at shantiuganda.org.
The women have been a part of Shanti Uganda's team for years, and have formed a supportive community. To learn more about the lives of these women, please read their descriptions.
It is in seeing the women working at Shanti Uganda, that I am left reading the report, hopeful of Uganda's future. With the help of your donations, Shanti will be able to employ more local women to the Women's Income Generating Group. Through this, we are able to decrease the number of women unemployed or underemployed in Uganda.
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