Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to examine practices and challenges of women
participation in leadership position in public organization of Dera Woreda, North Showa,
Oromia Regional State. To conduct this study, descriptive survey research design was
employed. A total of 148 employees of woreda office were included in the study. Woreda;
head office, education office, agricultural office, health office, women and children affairs
office, public service development and human resources office and woreda speakers office
employees were selected using simple random sampling technique. The data were gathered
through questionnaire and interview were analyzed using percentage, frequency, mean,
standard deviation and one sample t-test. Data obtained through interview and open-ended
was qualitatively analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that the current practices of
women participation in the leadership position were low by which respondents disagree
score with issues of women’s are adequately represented in the position, being promoted
to positions of leadership and working in different leadership position are self-assured. In
addition, the study showed that there were policies, programs and criteria which help to
empower women to the leadership position but there were problems in implementing the
policies. Besides to this the study indicated that, family responsibilities, lack of adequate
recognition for strong women leaders, lack of valuing women’s leadership positions, and
absence of motivating women to apply for leadership positions were some of the challenges
in empowering women towards leadership position. Based on the summary of the major
findings, the following major conclusions are derived. The current practice of women
participation in the leadership position in the area under study is disagree and undecided,
as a result of multiple and interrelated factors. On the basis of these major findings and
conclusion the following recommendations were made. Woreda office in collaboration with
zonal office should provide short and long term training to women’s of the organization on
empowering women’s to the leadership position. Women in the study area should engage
in self-empowerment strategies and have to take the roles and responsibilities without fear.
