Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
The
percentage of women in the legislature and local government in African
democracies and autocracies is virtually the same (24%-25%), and the percentage
of ministers in democracies was 25% and autocracies 21% (Electoral commission
report, 2023). The 1995 constitution of Uganda and the 1997 Local Government
Act stipulates that women should constitute a third of any local council. Women
constituted about 46% of total elected representatives in LGs. The percentage
of seats held by women in LG increased from 44% in 2011 to 46% in 2016. The
highest political office in a district is that of the District Chairperson; in
2011, only Kongasis constituency was headed by a woman, and in 2016 only
Kongasis and Kumi Districts had female political heads. In 2019 Village
chairpersons by sex was dominated by males at 97% (Electoral Commission, 2019).
Women are seen as inferior in society due to gender roles and reason for
failure to participate in political leadership was lack of money to facilitate
the campaigns - politics is highly monetized, yet men usually control resources
at 69.2%. This study investigates the Socio-Economic and institutional factors
that hinder women Involvement in Leadership in Bukwo District. this study was
guided byy the following objectives; (i)
To determine the relationship between
social factors and women involvement in leadership in Kangasis
Constituency-Bukwo district. (ii) to
establish the relationship between economic factors that hinder women
involvement in leadership in Constituency-Bukwo district (iii) to assess the
relationship between institutional factors that hinder women involvement in
leadership in Kongasis Constituency-Bukwo district. Data were collected a study population of 190
from which a sample size of 138 was derived. The study adopted a mixed of
qualitative and quantitative approach, with structured questionnaires and
in-depth interviews. It utilized the primary and secondary data using
statistical package for social scientist (SPSS) Regression analysis indicates
that 66.1% of women's involvement in leadership is influenced by socio-economic
barriers, with social factors having the most significant impact (β = .513, p =
.000), followed by economic factors (β = .372, p = .000). Institutional factors
were found to have a negligible influence (β = .016, p = .830). The study
concludes that addressing entrenched gender norms and providing support systems
for women is crucial for enhancing their leadership participation. Key
recommendations include implementing community initiatives to foster confidence
among women and revising educational curricula to promote gender equality. To
address the pervasive gender biases and barriers hindering women's involvement
in leadership roles in Kongasis Bukwo District, it is crucial to implement comprehensive
educational reforms that promote leadership skills among all genders from a
young age, thereby dismantling societal norms that favor male leadership.
Additionally, women activist organizations should establish mentorship programs
and community initiatives that actively support women in leadership, offering
training and resources to build confidence and decision-making skills, while
also advocating for policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible
work arrangements and parental leave. To effectively address the socio-economic
barriers limiting women’s leadership opportunities, it is essential to
implement policies that promote shared domestic responsibilities and provide
flexible work arrangements, such as childcare services and parental leave, to
alleviate the burdens of family workload on women. More so, initiatives that
focus on empowering women through resource control-such as access to land
rights and financial literacy programs can enhance their autonomy and
participation in leadership roles. By fostering a supportive environment that
values both professional and domestic contributions, communities can encourage
more women to pursue and thrive in leadership positions. To promote gender
equity in leadership roles. finally, feminists and policy makers organizations
should establish clear policies that ensure equitable access to high-status
positions for both men and women, alongside mentorship initiatives that support
women's professional development and confidence-building, thereby dismantling
the systemic barriers that currently hinder women's advancement in leadership
roles.
Country : Uganda
IRJIET, Volume 8, Issue 11, November 2024 pp. 90-113