MEASURING LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN (UGANDA’S EXPERIENCE) BEN PAUL MUNGYEREZA (NSO) AND RICHARD NDIKURYAYO (GENDER MINISTRY) Global Forum On Gender Statistics Accra, Ghana, January 26–28, 2009

Presentation Outline Why measure women participation Data sources Collaboration to improve measurement Selected Labour Market Indicators Preliminary findings of the Gender and Productivity Survey Efforts to build gender statistics in Uganda

Measuring women’s work Purpose: To provide information We want to know: The status of women participation? We want to monitor: If there are changes in labour force participation of women Use information to improve policy and plans.

Data sources Two main data sources, which generate data that is interpreted to support national-level planning towards gender equality and equity. Censuses (after every ten years) National Household Surveys.

National Household Surveys Uganda National Household Surveys every after 2 years Other household-based surveys include: demographic and health survey (every 5 ), national service delivery surveys (every 4 years) etc

Efforts to improve the measurement of women’s work in Uganda Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) works very closely with all the stakeholders. UBOS together with key stakeholders developed the compendium of concepts and definitions used in the National Statistical System with Gender concepts clearly spelt out.

Consultative meetings Modular Approach Specific activities to improve the measurement of women’s work in Uganda Consultative meetings Modular Approach Gender Analysis of Census and Survey Reports Gender and Productivity Surveys Computation of Labour Market Indicators

Consultative meetings Questionnaires prepared are shared out with different stakeholders for their input. UBOS always consults with Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Uganda Gender Forum. However, it must be noted that not all suggested questions are always included due to limited space in survey questionnaire.

Modular Approach UBOS attaches more comprehensive modules. For example, during the 2002/03 and 2005/2006 National Household Surveys, separate and more detailed labour module was attached. More detailed information on the labour market in relation to gender and women’s work was included.

Gender Analysis of Existing data Detailed gender analysis of Population and Housing Censuses and National Household Surveys. Analysis of existing data reveals a number of gender issues that were omitted. The issues generated assist UBOS when organizing subsequent censuses and surveys to ensure that women’s work is captured.

Gender and Productivity Survey The first ever Gender and productivity survey was conducted in Uganda between October 2007 and February 2008 Questions developed jointly between the Economic Policy Research Centre, Uganda Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Aimed at capturing more data particularly in the area of women’s paid and unpaid work. The survey covered 4,291 households in the entire country. In addition to the regular socio-economic module, individual questionnaires were developed for women and men on assets ownership, health, roles in decision making, domestic violence, etc

Gender and Productivity Survey cont.. Woman’s questionnaire Decision regarding utilization of resources earned by the woman Own choice VS husband’s choice Voluntary vs involuntary surrender of earnings to husband This important gender dimension has often been left out by national household surveys. Extensive training for enumerators was carried out to be able to fully capture women’s contributions. The report for this survey is yet to be completed. Only a draft has been developed.

Labour Market Indicators Size in the Labour force Labour force participation rate Employment to population ratio Status in employment Employment by sector Hours of work

Labour Force Definition: Economically active population in segment 14 to 64 years Approx. 9.8 million (2003) Males: 47.4% Females: 52.6% Slight male/female difference.

Labour Force Distribution: By Literacy status

Labour Force Participation Rate: By Residence

Employment to population ratio: By Residence

Employment to population ratio: By Education attainment

Status in employment

Average Hours of work per week: By Residence

Gender and Productivity Survey 2008 Preliminary Findings

Participation Rate: By Residence - GPS

Gender and Productivity Survey The GPS preliminary results for 2008 are consistent with the household survey results of 2003 Participation rate for women in rural is higher than urban Within rural, female participation rate is higher than that for men

Share of unpaid family workers - GPS

Share of unpaid family work The GPS preliminary results are consistent with the household survey results More women are engaged in unpaid family work There is more unpaid work in the rural areas

Gender intensity in production Knowing that women have access and seek employment is important But it is also important to know how women compare to men within category Gender intensity measures the share of women in a given employment category.

Gender Intensity – GPS (%age of women) Women dominate in unpaid family workers

Median wage per month in the private sector (‘000 ug.shs)-GPS

Decision on spending income earned by wife

Major Household expenditure decisions (women quest.)

Efforts to build Gender Statistics in Uganda. Efforts to improve measurement of women’s work Appending a module of activities list onto National Household Survey questionnaire, to capture the full range of economic activities in which Ugandan women are engaged in. During the design of surveys, UBOS will attempt to integrate women activity lists into questionnaires.

Efforts to build Gender Statistics in Uganda (cont’d..) Institutional efforts UBOS has recruited an officer specifically to handle gender statistics. Increased collaboration between the Ministry of Gender, the National Statistical Office and the Training institutions.

Efforts to build Gender Statistics in Uganda (cont’d..) Institutional efforts … Through NSDS support, the Ministry for Gender has developed its Strategy for the development of statistics in the sector. Statistics has been mainstreamed in the sector and catered for in the budget for the next FY Through the NSDS, the statistics unit under the Ministry responsible for Gender has been equipped and strengthened.

Thank You