Factors Affecting Women Participation in Leadership Position: The Case of Debre Markos City Administration

Abstract

Women face multi –faceted challenges to participate in management position due to different factors. The purpose of this research is to investigate factors that affect participation of women in leadership   position. . And for ward some possible suggestion for the challenges identified through this study. The study was descriptive in nature and survey solving method was used in data gathering. Data used in this research was mainly primary and secondary data as well, quantitative and qualitative types was incorporated. The data was collected by interviewing and conducting questionnaires. The study revealed that the current status of women participation was low in number in city administration and there are different factors that affect women’s participation in leadership position. The factors which contribute for women's low participation in leadership positions were categorized under three main factors: societal, institutional (organizational) and individual factors. It was observed those women’s career advancements are not affected by one factor alone but a combination of different factors.  From these factors the research found that three factors (institutional socio culture and individual) have decisive contribution for low participation of women in leader ship position. According to the respondents, there are institutional (organizational), socio culture and individual factors that have major contribution to the low representation of women in the leadership positions of governmental organization respectively by proper implementation of  women policies in the organization, equal treatment during assignment leadership position, providing training to build women’s capacity and creating awareness to the society that women capable for leadership position the researcher recommends that women should be encouraged and supported in order to compete on leadership positions.