Relationships / Role of men & women

Marriage in Uganda is an institution which is highly respected and in most tribes it is carried out traditionally. The rituals concerned with marriage differ from tribe to tribe. Within the institution of marriage the women are expected to look after the house and the children and carry out all the domestic work. They will go and fetch the water even if the tap is five miles away. The men do the manual labour on the land by tending to chores. The man is not expected to stay faithful to his wife and will have affairs with numerous other women. The woman however is expected to stay faithful to her husband throughout the marriage. This demonstrates a one-sidedness in the relationship and suggests that men are the dominant partners of a marriage.

In Britain attitudes tend to be equal in society towards men and women. Marriage is an example of this where men and women both go out to work as 'wage earners.' Women still perform most of the domestic chores in the house but increasingly women continue to work with children being cared for by others.

Programme ideas

1) Divide into groups of three or four.
Discuss these topics in groups:

• What is a relationship?
• What kinds of relationships are there?
• What makes for a good relationship?
• What makes for a bad relationship?

Discuss the answers in a large group.

2) Women and men In Britain/Uganda

On the next page are a list of questions and statements about the position of women, men and children. How much do you know about the situation in both countries? Do children's roles in Uganda differ from those in Britain?

3) Have a discussion which is chaired by a Unit member. This should be about the role of women in Britain compared to that in Uganda.

Points to discuss could include:

• a) Should women be the homemaker?
• b) Is it right for women to leave children with others?

4) Invite a speaker in from national Marriage Guidance Council or a women's centre.