PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF WOMEN PRACTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP POSITION IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATION OF DERA WOREDA, NORTH SHEWA, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

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.