Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that affect women’s participation in decision
making in Messene Bako kebele, Hadiya Zone. More specifically, to identify the socio-cultural factors
cause for low level of women’s participation in decision making in my study area. Descriptive survey
design with mixed research approaches (i.e. quantitative and qualitative) were employed for this
study. To collect data, questionnaires and interviews were used as the main instruments of data
collection from the respondents of the study area. Additionally, since the study area was rural kebele
there were few leaders. Simple random sampling technique was used to identify sample size.
Therefore, an interview was conducted with two kebele leaders (commonly likamber and kebele
manager). The collected data was analyzed by using both a quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
The data collected using interview was analyzed qualitatively by giving explanation about the
responses given by participants. The result from the analysis indicated that several factors hinder from
decision making processes. Among the basic factors the study revealed that local culture, family care
and household responsibilities are dominant factors cause for low level of women to make decision
respectively. And finally recommendations would have been forwarded for the concerned bodies
