Factors Affecting Women Participation in Leadership Position In The Case of Jimma Town Administration

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.