PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES TO WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS: CASE STUDY IN COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) is the largest financial institution and one of the major employers in Ethiopia. The major aim of the thesis was look at the challenges and practices of the bank on women’s involvement to leadership at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Descriptive study design was adopted, and data were collected using questionnaires and interview involving both quantitative and qualitative techniques. A total of 200 respondents from the target population were sampled; where 100 female and 40 male managers were selected purposively and 60 non-managerial female employees were sampled using snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data. The study looks the societal, organizational and personal challenges that hold women from leadership positions in the commercial bank of Ethiopia. In general, the study revealed that organizational challenge regarding gender roles; lack of role models of successful women, attitude of top management toward women, and social challenges such as societal and cultural issues were the most important among others that hinder women involvement to leadership positions in commercial bank of Ethiopia. The number of both female and male employees of the bank increased over time however, involvement of women to leadership is least. The study also recommended significant solution at societal, organizational and individual level. With regard to social level, the study suggested that; the society believe and culture need to be changed towards women leadership. Similarly, the Government should take an active participation to improve society’s awareness and make sure the implementation of policies related to women management. Although the study gave optional suggestion at organizational level; the management of the bank should needs to review its policies regarding women participation and make sure the implementation. In addition, the top management should change the attitude toward women leadership. Finally, the study tries to suggest some points at personal level.