Browsing by Author "Serawit Getachew"

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    The Level of Women’s Involvement in Project Management Positions in the Ethiopian Construction Industry
    (Addis Ababa University, 2025-04-01) Serawit Getachew; Denamo Addissie (PhD)
    This study explores the extent of women’s involvement in project management positions within the Ethiopian construction industry, with a particular focus on Addis Ababa. Despite increasing awareness of gender equity, gender diversity improves innovation and decision-making in construction, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across the sector. Most existing studies in Ethiopia focus on general construction roles and there is a lack of practical frameworks to support women’s advancement in PM roles. Therefore, the study aims to assess the level of female representation, identify the challenges hindering their participation, and propose effective interventions to enhance gender inclusion in project management roles. The conceptual and empirical literature review with relevant international and Ethiopian experiences was conducted to examine key challenges, representation gaps, and strategies for career advancement. A mixed-method research approach was adopted, combining quantitative data from 394 survey respondents drawn from a population of 25,000 licensed construction professionals, with qualitative insights from interviews and a focus group discussion involving female project managers. The research employed descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative data using SPSS, and thematic analysis for qualitative data to ensure comprehensive interpretation. Findings reveal that women constitute a small minority in project management roles less than 10% and face multiple structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers. The study identifies 6 major challenges, including physical demands, Unequal Job opportunities between men and women, gender bias, lack of mentorship and training programs, work-life imbalance, and Unsociable work hours and harsh working condition. Moreover, only a few companies reported having active goals or policies to promote female leadership. The research concludes that there is an urgent need for sector-wide strategic interventions, including gender-sensitive recruitment policies, mentorship programs, flexible work arrangements, and targeted leadership training. These measures are essential not only for enhancing women’s participation in project management but also for improving overall organizational effectiveness and equity in the Ethiopian construction sector. Keywords: Women in Construction, Project Management, Gender Inclusion, Ethiopian Construction Industry, Leadership Barriers, Addis Ababa