The eligibility criteria under the economic recovery interventions excluded women-led businesses: evidence from female entrepreneurs who worked in markets during the COVID-19 period

I n January 2022, Uganda fully reopened its economy, ending the two-year COVID-19 control measures that saw the closure of schools and the operation of other sectors constrained. According to daily COVID-19 statistics published on January 14th, 2022, by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the country had registered 158,238 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 3,411 deaths at the time of reopening1. There are indications that the pandemic and the related government control measures exacerbated pre-existing gender-based vulnerabilities and inequalities. As the country rebuilds, it was important to identify the socio-economic effects of the pandemic on vulnerable women to inform the design of appropriate policies and interventions by the government and other actors. According to the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), the cost of doing business for women increased by 40% during the two lockdowns, and many women quit working due to long distances to marketplaces and a restriction on public transportation. The United Nations Capital Development Fund Survey evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on Ugandan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for a period of two weeks from April 12 to April 26, 20202, found that after three months of the first lockdown measures, 85% of all surveyed businesses would experience financial distress and that after just one month, about 50% of informal businesses would cease to exist or be able to support themselves. Ace Policy Research Institute (APRI) conducted a rapid assessment of COVID[1]19’s socio-economic implications on poor women working in markets in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). Data for the assessment was gathered through interviews with 250 women business owners who worked.