Mulugeta, Emebet (PhD)Zerihun, Hanna2018-10-122023-11-182018-10-122023-11-182012-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/12624This research was conducted at the Ministry af Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The establishment of the Ministry, which deals with Ethiopia's relations with the other countries and international organisations, dates back to 1907 G. C. The study focuses on female employees at the Ministry occupying professional posts. It examines the positions these women hold, the opportunities they are given, the challenges they encounter and their aspirations to advance their career and occupy higher positions in this important field. Qualitative method was used to conduct this study. Both primary and secondary data were collected. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve women working in professional positions. Secondary data in the form of reports, research and journals were used. The study shows that the Ministry, as a Federal institution, recruits women from different parts of the country to ensure representation of women from the different notions and nationalities. The Ministry provides women the opportunity to advance in their careers by applying affirmative action, both during recruitments and promotion. The Ministry also upgrades women, who have improved their educational qualification while on the job. This exercise especially benefitted young female employees who aspire to reach higher positions inside the Ministry. The women who took part in the study also revealed that the support they have fram their families is essential for their achievement in the workplace. Unfortunately, despite these positive steps taken by the Ministry, the number of women in professional positions is still behind that of men. Lock of the required educotionol quolification and low self-esteem of the women themselves are some of the challenges cited by the female employees interviewed for this research. Cultural misconceptions on women's ability and gender stereotyped rales in the work place were also obstacles hindering women from joining the professional job category.enFederal Democratic Republic of EthiopiaThesis