Money, men and markets: Economic and sexual empowerment of market women in southwestern Uganda
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Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care
Abstract
Market trading requires access to cash, independent decision-making, mobility and social interaction.
This study sought to explore whether market work empowers women with respect to spending
decisions and negotiation over sex and condom-use. A semi-structured questionnaire was
administered to 212 market women; and 12 focus group discussions and 52 in-depths interviews
were conducted among market women in southwestern Uganda. Market women reported high levels
of independence, mobility, assertiveness and social interaction. Access to cash was not synonymous
with control over it, however. Spending decisions were limited by men’s ability to selectively withdraw
finances for expenditures central to women’s concerns including household and children’s needs.
Trading in markets earns women masculine labels such as kiwagi, characterized variously as
independent, rebellious and insubordinate. Earning money does not change expectations of correct
behaviour for wives, making it difficult for women to initiate, deny sex or ask for condoms.
Independence and income from market work may make it easier for women to enter and exit new
sexual relationships. However, unable to protect themselves within partnerships, HIV risk may increase as a result.
Description
Keywords
men and markets, Money, sexual empowerment, market women
Citation
Barbara Nyanzi , Stella Nyanzi , Brent Wolff & James Whitworth (2005) Money, men and markets: Economic and sexual empowerment of market women in southwestern Uganda, Culture, Health & Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 7:1, 13-26, DOI: 10.1080/13691050410001731099