Women Empowerment in Community-Based Tourism Through Basket Weaving:
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Date
2025-07-05
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Makerere University Business School
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the empowerment of women handcraft weavers in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The research was guided by four objectives: to explore the forms of empowerment experienced by women basket weavers; to identify the benefits of weaving for these women; to analyze the barriers hindering their empowerment; and to propose solutions the women suggested to overcome these challenges. The study employed a phenomenological approach, aiming to understand the lived experiences of these individuals. A purposeful sample of 31 women weavers from the villages surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was selected for this research. The findings revealed a complex interplay of empowerment and disempowerment across economic, psychological, social, and political dimensions. Economically, the study showed that handcraft production such as basket weaving provides many women with essential income to support their households and educate their children. However, the women reported that economic benefits are unevenly distributed; market access limitations, reliance on middlemen, and irregular financial gains create disparities. Psychologically, the women described enhanced self-esteem and pride, noting that validation from tourists affirms their skills and cultural contributions. Nonetheless, some weavers experienced exclusion, leading to frustration and diminished psychological empowerment. Socially, the women highlighted a sense of community solidarity and cohesion among themselves, but unequal access to tourism networks and resources contributed to social fragmentation. Politically, some women reported limited yet notable empowerment, sharing experiences of involvement in leadership roles, though broader community participation in decision-making remains insufficient. The study emphasizes significant challenges that continue to impede women’s empowerment, including limited market access, inadequate infrastructure, and restrictive cultural norms. To address these barriers, the women proposed solutions such as establishing savings groups, improving market access through technology, and seeking government support for education and ongoing training. This study underscores the need for holistic empowerment initiatives that go beyond economic support to include infrastructural development, capacity building, and interventions that tackle social and cultural constraints. The insights gained from this research are valuable for policymakers and development practitioners, advocating for comprehensive strategies to foster sustainable empowerment for rural women engaged in community-based tourism.
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This is a master's thesis.
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Citation
Ntalumbwa, E. E. (2025). Women Empowerment in Community-Based Tourism Through Basket Weaving: A Case Study of Communities Around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. (Unpublished master’s dissertation). Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda.