To investigate opportunities and challenges of women’s empowerment in leadership position in Endamehoni Woreda that found in Tigray regional state of Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the level of women’s empowerment in leadership positions and suggest remedial solutions so as to reduce the magnitude of the problem. To achieve these stated objectives, basic questions were asked which are related to the factors that hinder women’s empowerment to have leadership position. The research method employed was descriptive survey and the sampling techniques were available, purposive and simple random sampling. Data were gathered from primary and secondary sources through questinaires, interviews and documents. The data obtained were analyzed using suitable statistical tools such as frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed for data analysis. Accordingly, the main result of the study revealed that, even though there is a little bit progress, women’s empowerment in leadership position growth rate is insignificant compared to the growth rate of women in expert staff. It was further identified that the major causes that hinder women’s having leadership position were socio-cultural, personal and institutional barriers, like home and family responsibility, lack of self confidence, lack of monitoring and evaluation and related issues. The main mechanisms which for women empowerment rate in leadership position are developing self confidence, pursuing higher education, developing strong women’s network, avoiding meritocracy and using quota system. Finally based on the findings and conclusions, the recommendations given were; empowering women through continuous training and bringing perceptual and attitudinal changes in all men and women