Prospects and Challenges of Women in Leadership the Case of Some Selected Organizations in Addis Ababa
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was aimed at exploring the challenges women leaders facing while assuming
and performing leadership responsibilities of five governmental organizations in Addis
Ababa. It also tried to find out the contributing factors for women to hold leadership
positions, women's leadership styles and measures to be taken to enhance women's share
of leadership. In-depth interview, questionnaire and document analysis were employed as
the data collection instruments in the study. Participants of the study were 5 women who
are in leadership positions of each organization and 130 subordinates of three
organizations. The respondents for the survey were selected using simple random
sampling. Purposive sampling technique was used for selecting women who are in senior
leadership positions of their respective organizations. The findings of the study revealed
that women leaders are facing many challenges in the studied organizations. Sociocultural,
organizational and personal challenges for women while assuming and
discharging their leadership responsibilities. The main contributing factors for women
holding leadership positions are personal performance and capability, their educational
qualification, current political system and their experience. Finally, the main measure to
be taken to enhance women's share in leadership positions mainly depends on addressing
gender gaps in the country and raising the level of attention given for gender issues in the
organizations.
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Keywords
Challenges of Women in Leadership