Women's Health in Uganda A Review of the Landscape of Reproductive Health in Uganda

Abstract

The landscape surrounding reproductive health in Uganda is underpinned by layered interactions between a host of powerful factors, all of which contribute to grim health outcomes for Ugandan women. Yet, over the last two decades, several key interventions have demonstrated success in improving women’s reproductive health, including the implementation of diagonal approaches to healthcare delivery and grassroots educational programs. This review synthesizes a diverse body of literature and elucidates the relationship between colonialism, neocolonialism, gender inequality, ethnolinguistic fractionalization, and
women’s health outcomes in Uganda. To clarify several key terms, gender inequality defined as, “allowing people different opportunities due to perceived differences based solely on issues of gender” (Parziale 978). Ethnolinguistic fractionalization involves considering how multiple languages and ethnic groups can create greater perceived distances between groups. Thus, this narrative literature review will explicate the socio-historical framework impacting women’s health and describe several successful interventions in promoting women’s health in Uganda.