Resilience amid Stigma: Analyzing the Agency and Well-Being of Teenage Mothers in Rural Uganda

Abstract

Teenage motherhood remains a significant public health and socio-economic challenge in Uganda, especially in rural areas where access to education and health care services and economic opportunities is limited and social stigma and rejection are prevalent. The study explores the agency applied by teenage mothers to improve their well-being in rural Uganda particularly in Kanungu District. The study employed a phenomenological research design, and data were collected through in-depth interviews that involved Community Development Officers (CDO’s) and parents, focus group discussions (FGDs) which involved the teenage mothers, and key informant interviews (KIIs) that involved the District officials, Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), Religious and community leaders. Findings reveal that family structures, parenting styles, cultural norms and institutional gaps significantly shape teenage mothers’ ability to act independently, access services, and plan for their prospects positively. Supportive family relationships were found to be essential in strengthening resilience, self-confidence, and decision-making capability, whereas neglectful and harsh environments compounded vulnerability and isolation. Teenage mothers employed different forms of agency for them to survive such as engaging in vocational training, informal labor and seeking support from (NGO’s). Community actors, particularly CDO’s emphasized the urgent need for family sensitization, better adolescent-friendly services, increased family awareness and targeted empowerment programs. The study recommends community sensitization, strengthening family and institutional support systems, increasing access to youth-friendly health and education services, and integrating tailored vocational and financial programs for young mothers and pregnant teenagers to advance their agency and holistic well-being in rural Uganda.