Determinants of Women’s Participation in Leadership Positions

Abstract

The study identified the significant determinant factors of women’s participation in leadership positions. Social, institutional and psychological factors were given due attention. To meet the objective, the study employed an explanatory research design with quantitative research approach. Participants were selected using random sampling technique. Accordingly, 127 participants were selected out of 381 target population in the selected Woreda. Data were collected using a pilot tested questionnaire. Inferential statistics like Person correlation, chi-square, AVOVA, and linear/multiple regressions were used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that women’s participation in leadership positions was regressed on the predicted variables of social factors; it was influenced at statically significant p=0.03, and predicted that women’s participation in leadership at unstandardized Beta coefficient (β = -0.0554), F (2,103) =31.152. Psychological factors including confidence, dependability on male, emotion management and sensitivity, inferiority feeling and poor self-image were found to be significant factors in influencing women’s participation in leadership positions at [p=0.04] predicting women’s participation in leadership at unstandardized Beta coefficient (β = -0.01), F (2,103) =31.152. Institutional bureaucracy including appointment system, the less attractive and conducive working environment, absence of kindergarten in the public sectors, limitation in delegating women within the public sectors, less implementation of affirmative action, weak evaluation system, gap in accessibility and opportunities of education and training, nepotism, and women capacity and abilities to do organizational activities had high degree negative relationship with women’s participation in leadership positions at statically significant difference P=0.000 [P<0.05] & r= -0.749** . Hence, stakeholders working on women need to strengthen the public awareness advocacy, build the capacity of women, and tackle institutional bureaucracy to improve the participation of women in leadership positions.