Assessment of Factors Affecting Women Participation in Managerial Positions in Selected Public Organizations in Jimma Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Women constitute about half of the population and had contributions for the development of the country in all fields in Ethiopia. In spit to their number and contribution, their participation in managerial positions has consistently lower than men in public organizations in Jimma Zone. It is universally accepted truth that women are the base and fuel for the overall development of a country. However their participation in all spheres of life is mainly at subordinate level and in managerial positions in public organizations are insignificant. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess the factors affecting women participation in managerial position in public organizations in Jimma Zone. The study had employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The data of this study were both primary and secondary data collected from three public organizations found in Jimma Zone. The sample were selected by using stratified random sampling method. Data was collected through personal interview and questioners. As the finding of the study shows, even though, the number of women increases in public organizations, their participation in managerial positions is still affected by several factors. Low participation of women in managerial positions results in serious consequences like job dissatisfaction, employee turnover, low productivity and absenteeism and minimizes various benefits that the organizations enjoy from their participations. Hence, in order to reduce these factors and enhance the participation of women in managerial positions, organizations should develop different mechanisms and strategies.