CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN PUBLIC SECTORS: THE CASE OF JABI TEHNAN WOREDA, WEST GOJJAM ZONE, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Today, the number of women in positions of leadership is increasing. Even though this is the case, women leaders encounter significant challenges during their leadership journey. The general objective of this study was to assess the challenges and opportunities of women in leadership positions in public sectors. Mixed research method with explanatory-sequential mixed research design was employed for data collection and data analysis. The data collected by questionnaires and interview for selected public sectors head office and employees to explain the challenges and opportunities of women in leadership position. Consequently, probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to selects the respondents and to make discussants the researches. Selected data analyzed by descriptive statistics. The result showed that women faced socio-cultural challenges (conflict between work and family responsibilities and lack of family support) with mean value 4.06 and 3.86 respectively. Organizational challenges(a lack of female role models, an uncomfortable working environment, gender-based discrimination, lack of support, absence of leadership trainings, absence of childcare centers, a lack of organizational networks) with mean values >3.5, and leadership related challenges(inflexible working hours, stress and unsatisfactory pay) with mean values >3.5 were the major determinants influencing women leaders' career progression. The study also identified significant opportunities and supports for overcoming those challenges. The opportunities include mentoring and coaching, training and networking opportunities, affirmative action, maternal leave, and family support. The study concludes that women in leadership positions faced a number of challenges, as well as limited opportunities that targeted women in the study area. Hence, the government should pay attention to them and develop initiatives such as family-friendly laws to assist women in overcoming their challenges.