Women and Indigenous Resource Conflict Resolution Options in Uganda’s Oil Region: A Case of Barazas
Publisher: Mobility, Identity, and Conflict Resolution in Africa
Author(s): Deborah Birungi, Nicholas Tunanukye, and John Mushomi Atwebembeire
Date: 2024
Topics: Cooperation, Extractive Resources, Gender, Governance, Renewable Resources
Countries: Uganda
Resource ownership has been associated with power, which has been greatly influenced by patriarchy. The role of women in organising, planning, allocating, and controlling the operations of major public resources has been minimal. Yet, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources have been a core concern for both the government and its citizens at large. The chapter uses in-depth interviews and research of households in Hoima district to assess the participation of women in conflict resolution, resource administration, and implementation. The crux of this chapter lies in addressing these gender-based disparities in resource allocation and seeking to bring women to the centre of resource management, which is beneficial not only for local households but also for societal cohesion. One proposed solution is encouraging more inclusive participation in ‘barazas’ (community meetings), challenging patriarchal norms and promoting gender equality in resource allocation.