Masculinities can either support or hinder women’s economic empowerment, particularly when married partners have joint control over household income. When husbands are supportive of their wives’ economic participation, gender role-related stress is reduced, household participation in decision-making is increased, leading to reduced risk of intimate partner violence, hence fostering the well-being of women 1234. Husbands’ positive attitude towards their wives’ economic participation is linked to improved well-being of married women, while negative attitudes impact women’s mental and physical health, employment status, and subjective health negatively. This, therefore, implies that the impact of economic masculinity support is multifaceted.

Globally, restrictive masculine norms, specifically those stressing male economic control or dominance, continue to infringe on married women’s well-being in reflective ways3. In local communities where men are expected to provide solely, women are often denied the opportunity to engage in economically generating activities. This leads to limited autonomy among the women and financial dependency. In some cases, where women have surpassed their male counterparts by earning more, this has resulted in punitive consequences 3 and separation or divorce 4.

In Latin America, such dynamics have been reported to provoke both physical and emotional violence as the men attempt to reassert dominance, hence escalating gender-based violence 4. Literature further posits that men who strongly kowtow to controlling masculine ideas are more likely to commit intimate partner violence, especially in economically strained homes 4. For instance, in societies where men stay at home in a culture where dominant concepts of masculinity cast men as breadwinners, women face social challenges as a result of gender social stress mechanisms, as social pressures reinforce gender culture and norms, inflicting stress on gender-non-conforming partners 4.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the impact extends beyond physical safety to women’s mental and physical well-being 5. Married women often carry the double burden of paid and unpaid domestic labor, with little support from partners who resist evolving gender roles. This inequality fosters chronic stress, reduces decision-making power, and diminishes access to health services, especially in contexts where men control the household finances 6789. Moreover, men’s resistance to shifting norms can take subtle but damaging forms such as emotional withdrawal, refusal to contribute to childcare, or abandoning the relationship altogether.

In Seria leone, masculinity support has been linked to uptake of health services challenges, particularly in rural areas where primary health care infrastructure is weak 10, as women require financial support from their partners to facilitate transport cost to the health facilities, which in turn affects household financial security as financial decisions about household health is made 11.

In Africa, countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya have reported a negative impact of economic masculinity among married women rooted in patriarchal norms, which limits their access to health care, decision making, financial abuse, domestic violence, denied employment opportunities, and unequal distribution of household responsibilities 121314. On the other hand, women’s income generation, whether through employment or entrepreneurship, can lead to increased financial security for themselves and their families, allowing them to afford necessities, save money, and invest in their children’s activities, it can exacerbate gender role stress and potentially lead to mental health challenges 154.

In Uganda, masculinity is deeply intertwined with the role of the man as the primary provider for the household. The UN Women 16 found that when women lack control over financial resources, economic provision can reinforce traditional dependency rather than promote autonomy. Ahikire and Mwiine argue that in Uganda, although financial support from men improves immediate material conditions, it rarely shifts underlying power dynamics unless coupled with broader cultural change 17.

A study conducted in Rakai district found that masculine norms of respectability impact the well-being of women, as men place masculinity in a position of power and tend to control everything in the family, hence limiting the economic growth of women 18.

In Luwero District, traditional cultural expectations strongly influence the economic interactions between men and women. Economic masculinity support, which refers to the provision of financial resources, entrepreneurial support, and access to economic opportunities by men, plays a significant role in shaping the lives of women 19.

Uganda has embraced the Global Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, integrating them into national strategies. The country’s Vision 2040 identifies gender equality as a fundamental driver of socio-economic progress, while the National Development Plan (NDP) II 20emphasizes empowering women and advancing gender equity as essential pathways to achieving inclusive growth and fostering social development.

Literature suggests that while economic masculinity support is crucial for enhancing women’s well-being, it must be accompanied by efforts that promote women’s financial autonomy and challenge traditional gender expectations. However, emerging efforts to reshape these norms offer hopeful pathways forward. Gender-transformative programs around the world are engaging men to rethink masculinity as rooted in partnership rather than control 3. Initiatives that promote shared household responsibilities and inclusive decision-making have shown promising results: improved relationship quality, enhanced women’s agency, and better health outcomes for entire families. Ultimately, transforming economic masculinity into a framework of mutual support is essential for advancing gender equity and safeguarding women’s well-being globally 3.

Although Uganda has made strides toward gender equality through legal frameworks such as the 1995 Constitution and the Gender Policy 21, in rural areas like Luwero, women's economic empowerment remains limited. This study seeks to explore whether economic masculinity support genuinely improves women’s well-being and, if so, whether it leads to their sustainable empowerment or reinforces dependency within the traditional gender hierarchy.

Data analysis was done using Stata version 18. The authors hypothesized that there is a relationship between economic masculinity support and the well-being of married women in Luwero district. This hypothesis was informed by the fact that marriage offers financial protection to women, which may influence their economic well-being.

The authors employed frequencies and percentages to analyze demographic data, and Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression to ascertain the relationship between economic masculinity support and the well-being of women. The Cronbach’s alpha for the current study was 0.8 with an internal content validity of 0.75, indicating good internal consistency. Using descriptive analysis, the authors were able to summarize data in the form of means and frequencies to explain the demographic characteristics of the study respondents. STATA version 18 was used to analyse the data to confirm variables that influence well-being. Only variables that had a p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant in this study.

To ensure high-quality data collection, data enumerators underwent training tailored to the study’s objectives. These enumerators possessed prior experience in quantitative data collection, particularly with vulnerable populations such as older adults. The research tools were pilot tested to assess their reliability and validity. Data entry and cleaning were conducted daily to minimize recall bias and promote completeness and accuracy. Weekly meetings provided a platform for reflection, troubleshooting emerging challenges, and supporting report writing efforts.

The study obtained ethical approval from the Clarke International University Research Ethics Committee (CIUREC), along with clearance from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST). In addition, administrative permission was granted by local leaders in selected villages of Luwero district. Before participant enrollment, written informed consent was obtained. To enhance understanding of the study’s objectives and procedures, both the data collection tools and consent forms were translated into Luganda, the predominant local language. Participants were assured of their voluntary involvement and the confidentiality of their information. The informed consent form also included a clause permitting the future publication of study findings.

The initial desired sample size of the study was 396, but due to non-response issues resulting from some married women's fear of participating in the study, the sample size was reduced to 382, giving a response rate of 96.5%.

Findings of the linear regression model revealed a strong positive relationship between economic masculinity support and women's well-being. The linear regression analysis demonstrated that economic support significantly enhanced women’s access to key resources (β = 0.42, p < 0.000). Women who received consistent financial support from their spouses reported greater food security, better access to healthcare services, improved school enrollment for their children, and better housing conditions.

The study’s findings highlight the significance of economic masculinity support in enhancing women’s overall well-being, indicating that an increase in economic masculinity increases women's well-being. The findings emphasize the importance of financial resources in improving women's well-being. These findings align with existing literature, which posits that economic stability and support influence access to healthcare, education, and other essential services 11154.

Findings also revealed a moderate relationship between economic support and women's access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, and housing. However, cultural norms restricting women’s control over financial resources were identified as a limiting factor to sustainable empowerment. The study recommends promoting financial literacy, joint financial decision-making, and community sensitization to transform cultural attitudes toward gender relations. In a similar vein, 22 investigated the effects of targeted financial interventions on women's health and well-being in urban settings. Their findings revealed that women who received economic support through financial literacy programs and employment initiatives reported higher levels of life satisfaction and reduced anxiety related to financial instability. This aligns with the current study's assertion that economic support alleviates stress and fosters a sense of agency among women, highlighting the multifaceted benefits of such interventions.

Additionally, a 2021 study provides insights into the long-term effects of economic empowerment on women’s health 23. Their longitudinal research indicated that women who experienced sustained economic support over time exhibited better health outcomes and a more positive outlook on life. This supports the current findings that suggest economic support enhances not only immediate well-being but also contributes to a sustained improvement in quality of life

From a researcher’s perspective, these findings highlight the vital intersection between economic masculinity support and empowerment. Economic masculinity support does not merely provide financial resources; it also fosters a sense of agency and self-efficacy among women. As women experience increased financial autonomy, they are more likely to make decisions that enhance their well-being, from health choices to educational pursuits for their children. Additionally, policymakers should prioritize economic empowerment initiatives, including access to financial resources and educational opportunities, as they are instrumental in enhancing women's well-being. As stated by several scholars 11154, the intersection of economic support and emotional well-being is crucial in creating sustainable change for women. By creating supportive environments that prioritize both emotional and economic well-being, we can foster healthier communities and ultimately promote greater gender equity.

The findings demonstrated that economic masculinity support significantly improves the immediate well-being of women in Luwero District by enhancing access to food, healthcare, education, and housing. However, true empowerment requires more than financial provision; it demands that women have the autonomy to control and allocate financial resources. Without addressing the cultural and structural barriers that restrict women’s independence, economic support risks reinforcing traditional dependencies rather than creating pathways to sustainable empowerment.

The government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), should promote financial literacy programs widely across the district to equip women with the knowledge and confidence to manage resources independently. Initiatives that encourage joint financial planning between spouses should be developed, fostering a spirit of partnership rather than control. Entrepreneurial programs targeting women should be expanded, providing access to start-up capital, training, and mentorship. Community sensitization campaigns should challenge restrictive gender norms, promoting a vision of masculinity that supports equality and shared responsibility. Enforcement of gender equality policies must be strengthened, ensuring that women have legal access to credit, land, and employment opportunities independent of male control. Only through a combined focus on financial support, empowerment, and cultural change can economic masculinity support truly enhance the well-being and prospects of women in Luwero District.

These results imply that interventions aimed at increasing economic masculinity support for women, such as financial literacy programs, access to credit, and employment initiatives, could have far-reaching effects on their well-being. By addressing economic disparities and promoting financial independence, policymakers and organizations can facilitate improvements not only in women’s quality of life but also in their families and communities.

All authors contributed to the study. PK conceptualized the study and participated in writing the manuscript; FA participated in manuscript writing and editing; MM and CE supervised the entire research process as the study supervisors.

This study was self-sponsored, so no funding was received.

Data is available on request