Challenges and Opportunities for Women’s Political Leadership in Tigray Region Post-1995
DOI:
Abstract
In Ethiopia, women’s leadership was not constitutionally recognized under the past two regimes, and gender issues were highly marginalized. However, following the 1995 Constitution, various gender-related provisions were drafted and implemented, including the introduction of quota systems and affirmative action. Additionally, different pressure groups and advocacy organizations, such as the Ethiopian Women’s Association, Tigray Women’s League, Tigray Women’s Association, and women’s affairs offices, were established to promote women’s rights and participation. This study was conducted to examine the challenges and opportunities of women’s political leadership in the Tigray Regional State after 1995, with a focus on Tigray regional bureaus. The objectives were to assess the challenges hindering women’s participation in political leadership, investigate the government’s role in empowering women and enforcing policies in practice, examine the role of women’s organizations and associations in promoting equal political involvement, and identify opportunities to enhance women’s leadership participation. To address these objectives, a qualitative research method was employed to capture the in-depth views and experiences of participants. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, while secondary data were drawn from regional policies and strategies. The findings reveal that, although some progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in political leadership and decision-making positions, particularly at higher levels. Their limited participation results from personal, psychological, socioeconomic, cultural, political, and structural barriers. Moreover, despite clear policy directions, gaps persist in implementation. The study recommends strengthened efforts by women’s organizations, government bodies, the regional ruling party, and other stakeholders to enhance women’s political leadership participation.
Downloads
Views : 59
Downloads : 22
References
C. J. Uhlaner, "Political Participation," in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, N. J. Smelser and P. B. Baltes, Eds. Oxford: Pergamon, 2001, pp. 11678–11682.
M. Hashemi, "Political participation and civic engagement: Towards a new typology," ResearchGate, 2015.
R. Hague and M. Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction, 6th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004.
J. Kiamba, "Women and Leadership Positions: Social and Cultural Barriers to Success," Wagadu, vol. 6, no. 1, 2008.
A. Innocentia, "Women in leadership and the bewildering glass ceiling," Journal of Public Administration, vol. 4, no. 2, 2013.
M. Coleman, "Gender and educational leadership in England: A comparison of secondary head teachers' views over time," School Leadership & Management, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 383–399, 2002.
A. H. Eagly and S. J. Karau, "Role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders," Psychological Review, vol. 109, no. 3, pp. 573–598, 2002.
B. Miressa, "Women in Leadership Positions in Ethiopia: The Case of Federal Public Service Organizations," M.A. thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2012.
World Bank, "Ethiopia Poverty Assessment 2014," World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., 2015.
K. Rahel, "Women in Leadership and Decision Making in Addis Ababa City Administration," M.A. thesis, Addis Ababa University, 2013.
M. Getachew, "Women Political Participation at Local Government in Ethiopia: The Case of Sebeta Town," International Affairs and Global Strategy, vol. 25, 2014.
A. Bouruk, Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers. Stockholm: International IDEA, 2005.
M. K. Sharma and S. Jain, "Leadership Management: Principles, Models and Theories," Global Journal of Management and Business Studies, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 309–318, 2013.
E. Lahti, "Women and Leadership: Factors Influencing Women's Career Success," Talouselämä, 2013.
O. Fayomi and L. Ajayi, "Leadership, Interaction and Social Change," Journal of Leadership Studies, 2015.
T. Birikti, "Challenges and Opportunities of Women in Leadership," M.A. thesis, Mekelle University, 2014.
P. Edward, Gender and Development: Concepts and Definitions. London: Oxfam, 2009.
B. Ijioma, "Gender Socialization and Women's Leadership," Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 1, 2008.
S. Ahmed, "Gender Inequality in Developing Countries," Asian Economic Review, vol. 43, no. 1, 2001.
S. Jayachandran, "The Roots of Gender Inequality in Developing Countries," Annual Review of Economics, vol. 7, pp. 63–88, 2014.
M. Khaddar, "Women's Political Leadership: A Prerequisite for Democracy," International Journal of Politics, 2013.
A. H. Eagly and L. L. Carli, "The female leadership advantage: An evaluation of the evidence," The Leadership Quarterly, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 807–834, 2003.
K. Kinoti, "Women’s Leadership in Africa," AWID, 2013.
C. F. Epstein, B. Oglensky, and R. Saute, "The Part-time Paradox: Time Norms, Professional Life, Family and Gender," Social Forces, vol. 84, no. 2, 2005.
A. Thanikodi and M. Sugirtha, "Status of Women in Politics," Journal of International Women’s Studies, vol. 9, 2007.
C. Patrick, "Women Leadership in Developing Countries," Public Administration and Development, 2014.
M. Leyenaar, "Empowerment of Women: The Role of Quotas," European Journal of Women's Studies, 2008.
J. M. Burns, Leadership. New York: Harper & Row, 1998.
A. Lincoln, "Patriarchy and Women's Leadership in Africa," Journal of Pan African Studies, 2014.
B. Endalcachew, "The Status of Women in Ethiopia," Ethiopian Journal of Social Sciences, 2015.
M. Haregewoni, "Women in Ethiopia: A Study of their Roles," Addis Ababa University Press, 2003.
T. Shimels, "Implementation of CEDAW in Ethiopia," Human Rights Law Review, 2015.
