FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION ON LEADERSHIP: THE CASE OF BENCH SHEKO AND SHEKA ZONE

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the major factors that affecting women participation on leadership position in the case of Bench Sheko and Sheka Zone. The objective of the study was to access the factors that affecting women participation on leadership position in the case of Bench Sheko and Sheka Zone. To achieve this objective, descriptive survey design was used which was supplemented by both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was carried out in Bench Sheko and Sheka Zone; the target population of the study was employees existing in Bench Sheko and Sheka Zone. The sample size of the respondents was 186. Sampling technique of the study was probability sampling specifically simple random sampling the method of data collection was through survey method and the tools are, questionnaire interview and focus group discussion (FGD). The data obtained through questionnaire was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive, inferential statistical were used to analyze using SPSS version 20, while data obtained through interview and focus group discussion (FGD) were analyzed qualitatively. The major findings of the study are leadership positions in Bench Sheko and Sheka zone 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 belief and practices; family and home responsibility as well as institutional factor affected women’s participation in leadership. 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.