Culture and women's professional career attainment in Kabale district, Uganda

Abstract

Culture remains a powerful determinant of women's professional trajectories, shaping the opportunities, choices, and constraints they encounter in education and the workplace. In Uganda, and particularly within the Bakiga community of Kabale District, traditional norms emphasizing women's domestic roles continue to hinder their advancement despite progressive policies such as Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education, and affirmative action frameworks. This study examines the influence of Kikiga culture on women's professional career attainment, interrogating how cultural beliefs, practices, and gendered expectations intersect with contemporary educational and professional opportunities. Guided by Social Constructionist Theory, Liberal Feminist Theory, and Cultural Capital Theory, the research explores the dual processes through which women negotiate cultural identity while pursuing professional growth. The study is anchored in a subjectivist epistemology and a constructivist ontology, acknowledging that knowledge and realities Of women's professional career attainment are socially constructed through lived experiences. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore and interpret these experiences in depth. Data were collected from Bakiga women's professionals, key informants, and institutional representatives through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Using a multi-site case study approach in Kabale District, the study draws insights from higher education institutions, local government bodies, and community organizations. The findings reveal persistent cultural barriers early marriages, gendered divisions of labour, and societal expectations that limit women' s access to leadership and formal employment. At the same time, the research highlights women ' s resilience and agency, as some navigate cultural constraints to pursue careers. The study underscores the paradox of cultural preservation versus gender equity, illustrating how Kikiga cultural norms simultaneously anchor community identity while constraining women's career mobility. The study concludes that to structural and cultural barriers enhanced to support women's career growth, requires context-sensitive interventions that combine education reforms, gender-responsive policy implementation, and community engagement to reframe cultural perceptions of Women's roles. By illuminating the cultural underpinnings of women's professional career attainment in Kabale, the research contributes to broader debates on gender equality and sustainable development, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG S on Decent Work and Economic Growth. Ultimately, empowering Bakiga women to reconcile cultural identity with career aspirations is not only essential for their personal advancement but also critical for the socio-economic transformation of Kabale District and Uganda at large.