Nairobi, April 25 -- In some communities in Uganda, women aren't supposed to work with pigs. This stems from restrictive social and gender norms, some of which are rooted in culture and religious beliefs.

Until recently, eating pork was associated with drunkards because the meat was typically served alongside home-brewed alcohol in local bars. That's changing, as "pork joints" become popular with everyday eating places. What's more, pigs are unfairly thought of as dirty and, therefore, some people think the people who work with them must be dirty too. Women, in particular, according to prevailing social norms, are meant to keep themselves clean.

The pig sector is growing rapidly in East Africa on the back of rising demand. Uganda i...