Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) and its impact on the economic empowerment of young women. a case of Nakawa division

Abstract

Empowering women economically promotes gender equality, eradicates poverty, and promotes more inclusive economic growth and development. Women's participation in the development of Uganda is paramount, and efforts have been made to empower them economically in all structures where their contribution as agents of change can lead to social transformation. The research study sought to examine the impact of the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) on the economic empowerment of young women in the Nakawa Division. The independent variable for the study was the youth livelihood program, while the dependent variable was the economic empowerment of young women. The specific objectives of the study were: to establish the effect of skills development on the economic empowerment of young women in the Nakawa Division; to examine the effect of livelihood support on the economic empowerment of young women in the Nakawa Division; and to examine the effect of institutional support on the economic empowerment of young women in the Nakawa Division. The findings showed that skills development, livelihood, and institutional support have a positive relationship with the economic empowerment of young women in that the more skills development, livelihood, and institutional support, the more economic empowerment of young women, and the less skills development, livelihood, and institutional support, the less economic empowerment of young women. In conclusion, it is clear from the findings that young women beneficiaries of YLP in the Nakawa Division have had their livelihoods greatly changed due to the skills gained and the institutional support from their focal point officer. This led to increased income levels in their households and communities at large. With the continued support and commitment from the government of Uganda to increase its efforts to support youth livelihoods as part of tackling youth unemployment and poverty, young women are bound to benefit more.