Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Village savings and loan association (VSLA) is a widely adopted informal microfinance mechanism designed to empower women financially. However, limited studies have examined how gender and women's marital status influence VSLA-related gains and fund usage. This study aims to assess whether rural Ugandan VSLA members' gender and marital status impact their financial gains and fund usage. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 132 participants in five VSLAs in Fort Portal, Uganda. Participants were categorized as married women, single/never married women, widowed/separated women, and VSLA-participating men. The survey included questions on asset ownership, expenditures, and usage of VSLA funds for income-generating activities (IGAs) and life events (LEs). Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to assess relationships between gender, marital status, asset ownership, and fund usage. RESULTS: VSLA-participating women owned fewer overall assets (AOR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71-0.92) than men but utilized VSLA funds more extensively (AOR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.16-1.70), particularly for LEs (AOR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.29-2.01). Single/never married women owned fewer assets (AOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.98) compared to married women. Their asset ownership leaned toward LEs (AOR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.53-0.99), while VSLA fund usage prioritized IGAs (AOR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.00-3.40) compared to married women. CONCLUSION: Significant differences exist in VSLA fund usage and gains based on gender and marital status. Women, particularly single women, face asset ownership disparities but strategically utilize VSLA funds. Future studies should investigate gender dynamics within VSLAs and explore tailored strategies to address the specific needs of women across marital statuses for inclusive financial empowerment.