The traditional role of the Ugandan woman in the family and community is changing as our country moves from a subsistence to a cash economy. Today, women are the largest group of consumers. They are also the most vulnerable consumers, suffering from unsafe and poor quality goods and services and the activities of unscrupulous traders.
Women’s role as consumers, however, provides us with opportunities for promoting a safe, informed and just marketplace. Reflecting on the roles of women as consumers, we identify and celebrate the liberating elements of our cultures and the various strengths of our people. What problems has consumerism brought to our homes? How can the women be empowered to create a future where our families, communities and environments are safe, healthy, sustainable and just?
The women have long been the guardians of the health and safety of our families, culture and history of our people. From the food they prepare to the stories they tell, they have sustained our people. Now they are challenged by the consumer society. Very few of them can live on the food they grow and harvest. They have to seek paid work or sell the products of their labour for cash.
Part of the food our mothers and sisters prepare for us is grown by the family, the rest is bought from shops or local markets. At times, the woman is broke and requests to be ‘put on the book’. She is then at the mercy of the shopkeeper so that if she found the goods underweight or expired, she has no moral strength to ask questions. The option of returning the goods for a refund or replacement, is out.
Sadly, imported foods have replaced traditional foods in the diets of many Ugandans. The knowledge and skills of fishing, gardening and food gathering has been lost in many communities. Cash is required to buy imported foods. Where unemployment is high, the nutrition and health of family members suffer. This, unfortunately, has led to massive malnutrition due to poor food choice or lack of supply in many parts of the country.
A recent study reveals that sweet potatoes and other starchy foods provided 85% of energy food and 65% of protein of our rural population and 72% for the urban communities. The shift from a traditional fresh food diet, high in fibre, vitamins and minerals and low in sugar, salt, animal fats and refined carbohydrates to a diet based on cheap imported foods are increasing sources of poor health for many people today.
Food has been important in the development of our cultural values. Most of us depend on root crops, for example, and fruits that are not able to be stored. We have close relationships with our extended families and community and share food. Important events such as weddings, funerals, religious celebrations and the welcome of visitors are all accompanied by food specially prepared for the occasion.
Traditional African diets were good. They were high in fibre, vitamins and minerals and healthy. Today, there is increasing food shortages due to high prices and scarcity. Unfortunately, indigenous methods of acquiring, preparing and storing food have been forgotten by many of our young people.
dmarlone@yahoo.com
They were high in fibre, vitamins and minerals to the extent that our people were self sufficient in food and generally healthy. Today there is increasing food shortages due to high prices and scarcity. Local, indigenous methods of acquiring, preparing and storing food have been forgotten by many of our young people.
The change in diet, from local fresh foods to imported processed foods has caused us health problems. This is mainly caused by –
• the introduction of trade goods and the availability of imported foodstuffs;
• an emphasis on export cash-cropping and livestock production, leading to less cultivation of broad range of local foods;
• access to formal, western education and subsequent changing tastes;
• centralisation of population; adrift from rural to urban, and from smaller outskirts to administrative centres;
• a move from subsistence agriculture to cash economy;
• changing roles of men and women, and
• the impact of advertising through all kinds of media.
