Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to investigate the major factors that affecting women
participation in leadership position in Jimma town administration. The objective of the study
was to assess the factors that affecting women participation in leadership position in Jimma
town administration. To achieve this objective, descriptive and explanatory survey design was
used which were supplemented by both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was carried
out in Jimma town administration; the target population of the study was total employees
existing in Jimma town administration those are 1004. The sample size of the respondent’s was
286. Sampling techniques of the study was probability sampling specifically simple random
sampling. The method of data collection was through survey method and the tools are questioners,
interview and document analysis. The data obtained through questionnaire was analyzed
quantitatively using descriptive, inferential statistical, regression analysis and correlations were
used to analyze using SPSS version 20, while data obtained through interview were analyzed
qualitatively. The major findings of the study are leadership positions in Jimma town
administration are mainly dominated by male leaders and it is not attractive for women. Low
participation of women in leadership position is attributed to different personal, socio-cultural
and institutional factors. It was also found that socio-cultural beliefs and practices; family and
home responsibilities as well as institutional factors affected women’s participation in
leadership. The correlation analysis shows the relationship between personal, socio-cultural and
institutional factors and women participation on leadership position observed strong and
positive relationship and the results of regression analysis observed that personal, socio-cultural
and institutional factors have a significant positive effect on the women participation on
leadership position. The overall recommendation of the study was to improve women’s hope,
awareness creation program and bringing perceptual and attitudinal changes in all men and
women should be conduct through providing training, workshops and experience sharing.
