She Is a Guest in My House: Exploring the Barriers to Asset Development and Decision-Making Autonomy Among Young Women in Southern Uganda

Traditional values and beliefs perpetuate gender inequalities and marginalize women in many societies worldwide by limiting their access to economic resources and decision-making abilities. In-depth interviews were conducted among 53 young women and men to explore the barriers to asset development and decision-making autonomy among adolescent girls transitioning into young women in southern Uganda. Five themes emerged from the participants’ narratives, including societal expectations, restricted mobility, early pregnancies and marriages, limited motivation and parental perceptions. Findings from this study emphasize the widespread gender disparities in asset ownership and decision-making autonomy in southern Uganda, rooted in restrictive gender norms. Trial Registration: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01447615.