Since the early 2000s, a significant number of Ugandan women have migrated to countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman to work as domestic laborers. While international organizations and human rights groups have frequently reported on the severe abuse, confinement, and exploitation these workers face—conditions sometimes characterized as “modern slavery”—the flow of labor continues, driven by networks of recruitment agencies.
Social scientists researching gender dynamics in Uganda conducted interviews between 2018 and 2022 to understand why women choose this path despite the known dangers. The findings suggest that migration is often a calculated decision to gain financial control in a society where traditional support structures are shifting. As marriage rates decline and men increasingly struggle to fulfill the role of sole provider, many women view migration as a necessary step to secure their own futures.
Participants in the study described the work as difficult, often involving the loss of personal freedom and exposure to racism. However, they framed their migration as an act of self-determination. One respondent noted, “First find yourself some money – marriage will always be there.” For these women, earning an income is a means to “become somebody,” build homes, and provide for their children independently, a concept locally described as “fathering a home.”
While some women successfully use their earnings to improve their circumstances or transition to better employment, others return home to face ongoing economic pressures and the challenge of managing limited savings. Researchers emphasize that while these women are not explicitly attempting to dismantle global power structures, their pursuit of economic autonomy is actively reshaping gender relations and household dynamics within Uganda.
Source: The Conversation
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