Annotation 4_Factors that affect women participation in leadership and decision making position

Hora, E.A. (2014) ‘Factors that affect women’s participation in leadership and decision making positions’, Asian Journal of Humanity, Art and Literature, 1(2), p. 97. 

The purpose of this study was to determine the position of women in the administration of the town of Bedele; to highlight the barriers that prevent women from participating in public life, and to offer some potential solutions to the issues. Data collection techniques included descriptive and survey approaches, as well as quantitative and qualitative data. Employers in the Bedele Town administration as a whole were given questionnaires with open-ended and closed questions, and 108 (or 30% of the staff ) respondents were chosen using a systematic random sampling method. 

The emphasis was placed on lower positions such as routine manual and clerical work and similar tasks in the Bedele town administration. However, as 90.29% of respondents noted, they can effectively accomplish organisational goals if enabling circumstances are created and they gain access to positions of public leadership. The majority of respondents (68.93%) stated that women are underrepresented in positions of public leadership and decision-making. The major barriers to public leadership and decision-making positions include socio-cultural attitudes, a lack of experience, domestic responsibilities, and the continued  negative attitudes towards women’s issues. In addition, even the majority of women who had educational levels of diploma held lower non-decision-making and leadership positions.  

The study argued that despite the existence of comprehensive national women’s policies and strategies designed to encourage women’s participation in sociocultural, political, and economic spheres, there was still a lack of awareness among both sexes in Bedele town administration. Research showed that patriarchal structures and gender stereotypes continue to make the workplace unwelcoming for women on both an individual and societal level. Traditional roles still exist for female leaders and professionals, and they must also adhere to work and professional expectations. Their husbands and male family members have not changed in response to this era’s promotion of gender equality.