Bosco Ouma, a father of two from Nakawa in Kampala, grew up in a home where men were only expected to provide money, while women did all the housework. “I thought my role ended when I brought food home,” Bosco said. He didn’t help his wife with chores, even when she was pregnant, and left things like antenatal care and childcare completely to her.
In 2024, he joined the SHE SOARS project and participated in Intergenerational Dialogues (IGDs) that focused on gender roles and shared responsibilities at home. During one session, the question, “Who decides what men and women should do at home?” made him think deeply. He realised it wasn’t fair that his wife carried all the household work alone.
Through role plays and discussions, he learned the importance of supporting, respect and communication in marriage. From that moment, Bosco started helping out at home. One day, he served tea to his wife, and his mother was shocked. She asked, “Don’t I have a daughter-in-law?” Bosco calmly replied, “Mommy, this is the new normal in my house.” He began helping more with daily chores and supporting his wife emotionally and physically during pregnancy.
He now finds no shame in buying his wife sanitary pads. He also goes with her to antenatal visits and even helps with post-partum care. “I used to tell her to call her sister to help after giving birth, but now I do it myself,” he said. Their relationship has grown stronger, and they now make financial decisions together.
“When I ran out of money while building our house, she helped me without hesitation,” Bosco recalls, adding that families thrive when both partners share love, work and respect.
