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PhD: Exploration of the Impact of Social Enterprise Projects on Women’s Health in Teso, Uganda

Collaborators: Makerere University School of Public Health


Photo by Sally Bashford-Squires the chair of the ‘Mustard Seed Project’ and Winner of the ‘NTU Images of Research Competition 2022’. Sally took home the win with her joyful image 'The Gift of a Sheep’, which was taken during her PhD research, examining how social enterprise projects impact women’s health in rural Uganda. Photo taken in Teso, Uganda.

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Overview

This research explores the impact of women’s social enterprise projects on their health and wellbeing in a rural, marginalised region of Uganda. It examines how women’s health has been impacted by climate change, alongside interrelated factors of poverty and gender-based violence. It analyses how the women who belong to enterprise groups are utilising their indigenous knowledge to mitigate the impact of these oppressions. The research also explores Ms Squire’s status as an insider and outsider to the enterprise projects, which are supported by the ‘Mustard Seed Project,’ a charity that she chairs. In discussing her positionality, she examines how, as a researcher from the minority world I can ethically study an indigenous population.

'Eitai' - Doctoral Research Documentary

The documentary, entitled ‘Eitai’ which is an Ateso word for community togetherness,  is filmed in Teso sub-region, Uganda.

Teso is a marginalised rural area of North-Eastern Uganda. The documentary is based on Sally's doctoral research which was conducted in this area.

'Eitai' explores issues of climate change and the resultant poverty, alcoholism, and various forms of gender-based violence (GBV). It explores how the social enterprise projects provide economic wellbeing as well as a safe space for the community to share knowledge, combat climate issues through the planting of trees, and sensitise communities through music, drama, and dance.

The documentary demonstrates the importance of Indigenous Knowledge, particularly communitarianism and the need to develop stronger relationships with each other, the land, and non-humans to prevent further damage to our planet.

'Eitai' captures many unique stories concerning the fight against HIV and GBV which are relayed through the participants’ stories, music, and dance.

Methodological approaches

  • Qualitative
  • Bricolage
  • Ethnography
  • Autoethnography

Team members

Team:

Supervisors:

Publications

Bashford-Squires, S., Gibson, L., Nyashanu, M. (2022). Mitigating Gender-Based Violence Through the Economic Empowerment of Women: A Case Study of the Teso Sub-Region in Uganda. In: Mbah, M.F., Leal Filho, W., Ajaps, S. (eds) Indigenous Methodologies, Research and Practices for Sustainable Development. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham.