The Effect of Leadership development Programs in Women’s Empowerment – The case of the association of Women in Boldness (Awib)
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Date
2025-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Despite progress in gender policies, Ethiopian women confront deeply rooted barriers from internalized self-doubt to systemic workplace exclusion that limit their leadership trajectories. While leadership development programs (LDPs) are part of the solution, very few studies on their effectiveness within the Ethiopian context remains limited. This study addresses the gap by investigating how the Association of Women in Boldness (AWiB) LDPs help women overcome these barriers. This study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative data from surveys (n=145) with qualitative data insights from key informant managerial interviews and open-ended participant feedback. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression, while qualitative data were coded thematically. Results show that participants reported increased confidence in leadership abilities, better management of workplace obstacles, and stronger advocacy for women in leadership roles. Regression analysis revealed that networking, training, and mentoring all significantly contributed to empowerment, with networking emerging as the strongest predictor. Qualitative results demonstrated that AWiB’s programs enhance leadership skills through training, provide career guidance via mentorship, and cultivate professional networks to reduce workplace isolation. The finding of this study suggests that leadership development programs, especially those prioritized networks can Play a meaningful role in helping Ethiopian women navigate personal, organizational, and sociocultural barriers to leadership. In a context like Ethiopia where cultural expectations limit women's leadership, such programs provide both practical tools and much-needed support. It recommends that AWiB and similar organizations prioritize culturally tailored programs, institutional reforms, and flexible work policies to strengthen women’s leadership development.
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Leadership Development Programs, Women’s Empowerment, Women’s barriers