Livelihood and Economic empowerment

Many women rely on agriculture or informal trade for their livelihood, both of which have been adversely affected by the lockdown; and field studies of rural areas show a serious decline in household income, a drop in informal cross-border trade, and rising food insecurity. In rural setting 80% of whom are female and who primarily work in informal and agricultural sectors, feel these impacts acutely. Women have always played key roles in Uganda’s economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the barriers they face to reaching their full potential. Many girls who have not been given opportunity to education fall short to this source of livelihood. Future bridge Initiative Uganda is promoting skilling program to improve opportunity and create source of livelihoods for women and young girls who are not able to further education. VSLA has provided opportunity for saving and group engagement for development. Communal farming created opportunity for large land opening for agriculture. Future Bridge initiative working with other partners to provide quality seeds, create market demand, create linkages, and provide alternative to farming as main source of livelihood.