Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors That Hinder Women Involvement in Leadership in Bukwo District: A Case of Kongasis Constituency Uganda

Abstract

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

1 Cheptanui Catherine2 Okello Robert Pius3 Adrawa Johnson

  1. School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR), Team University, P.O. Box 8128 Mengo, Kabaka A’njagala Road, Kampala, Uganda
  2. School of Education (SoE), Nkumba University, P.O. Box 237 Entebbe Central Region, Kampala-Entebbe Highway, Uganda
  3. School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR), Team University, P.O. Box 8128 Mengo, Kabaka A’njagala Road, Kampala, Uganda

IRJIET, Volume 8, Issue 11, November 2024 pp. 90-113

doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2024.811009

References

  1. Africa Barometer (2021). Women’s political participation: International Institute for democracy and electoral assistance, Stockholm: DOI: https://doi.org/10.31752/ idea.2021.21
  2. Akinwumi, O., & Oloyede, O. (2021). Women in leadership: Navigating male-dominated power structures in Nigeria. African Journal of Gender and Development, 10(2), 161-175. https://doi.org/10.1080/17506276.2021.1922470
  3. Akuffo I, Kivipõld K et al, (2021). Authentic leadership competences and positional favoritism: impact on positive and negative organizational effectiveness. International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences 14 (1), 81-104.
  4. Albright, M., & Sweeney, A. (2021). Gender roles in leadership education in the U.S. Educational Leadership Review, 22(1), 45-59.
  5. Albright, M., & Sweeney, A. (2021). Gender roles in leadership education in the U.S. Educational Leadership Review, 22(1), 45-59.
  6. Allen, T. D., et al. (2022). Women in community leadership: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Community Practice, 30(2), 157-176.
  7. Allen, T. D., et al. (2022). Women in community leadership: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Community Practice, 30(2), 157-176.
  8. Allison M,  Archer N, Cindy D Kam, (2022) She is the chair (man): Gender, language, and leadership. The Leadership Quarterly 33 (6), 101610, 2022
  9. Amin, M.E (2005): Social science research, Conception, Methodology and analysis. Makerere University Printery, Kampala
  10. Arini, Collings, S., Conner, L., McPherson, K., Midson, B. and Wilson, C. (2011). Learning to be leaders in higher education: What helps or hinders women’s advancement as leaders in universities. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 39, 44- 62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1741143210383896
  11. Baker, J., & Fennell, S. (2020). Gender bias in hiring: Evidence from a field experiment. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(6), 602-618.
  12. Bäker, J., & Fuchs, M. (2020). Caregiving responsibilities and women's leadership. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(1), 1-18.
  13. Bäker, J., & Fuchs, M. (2020). Caregiving responsibilities and women's leadership. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 31(1), 1-18.
  14. Baker, J., et al. (2022). Barriers to women's leadership in family roles. Journal of Family Studies, 28(3), 102-118. https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2022.2056291
  15. Barker, J., et al. (2022). Changing perceptions: Gender and leadership in Canada. Journal of Canadian Studies, 56(3), 55-78. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcs-2021-0039
  16. Bonebright, D. A., Cottledge, A. D and Lonnquist, P. (2012). Developing women leaders on campus: A human resources-women’s center partnership at university of Minnesota. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 14(1), 79-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1523422311429733
  17. Bonebright, D. A., Cottledge, A. D., & Lonnquist, P. (2012). Developing women leaders on campus: A human resources-women’s center partnership at university of Minnesota. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 14(1), 79-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1523422311429733
  18. Budig, M. J., & Folbre, N. (2020). The economic valuing of care work. Journal of Family Issues, 41(2), 163-185.
  19. Care. (2020). Persuasive storytelling: How campaigning can shift social norms. Care.
  20. Carvalho, M., & Silva, T. (2019). Gender and leadership in Brazil: Challenges and opportunities. Revista de Administração, 54(1), 44-56. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342019000100006
  21. Catalyst. (2011). Women and Men is U.S. Corporate Leadership. Same Workplace, Different Realities? http://www.catalyst.org/knowledge/women-and-men-uscorporate leadership-same workplace-different realities.
  22. Cheng, C. Y., & Ho, J. (2021). The impact of societal norms on women's leadership roles. Leadership Quarterly, 32(4), 101402.
  23. Chiloane-Tsoka, G. E. (2010). Perceptions of barriers to the advancement of women in management and leadership positions in South Africa. Gender and behaviour, 8(2), 2976-2995.
  24. Doss, C., et al. (2020). Women’s control over household resources: Evidence from five countries. Journal of Development Economics, 147, 102547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2020.102547
  25. Eagly, A. H., & Carli, L. L. (2021). Women and the Labyrinth of Leadership. Harvard Business Review Press.
  26. El-Sherif, A., & Barakat, A. (2020). Gender roles and women’s leadership aspirations in Egypt. International Journal of Gender Studies, 5(2), 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-020-00312-9
  27. EPRC, 2021 Womens Participation In Politics At Local; Levels in Uganda. Survey Report. Occassional Paper no. 53
  28. European Commission. (2012). Women in Economic Decision-Making in the EU: Progress report. Luxembourg: Publication Office of the European Union. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/justice/genderequality/ files/women-onboards_en.pdf
  29. Fagan, C., & Norman, H. (2019). Gendered patterns of time use in the UK: Insights from time use surveys. British Journal of Sociology, 70(2), 404-424.
  30. Folbre, N. (2021). Valuing domestic work. The American Economic Review, 111(7), 2211-2235.
  31. Gita,P ( 2013). Gender differences in leadership styles and the impact within corporate boards. Common Wealth Secretariat. Social transformation programs division
  32. González, M. A., et al. (2023). Perceptions of gender roles in leadership: Evidence from Spain. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 23(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1177/14705958221078693
  33. Gornick, J. C., & Meyers, M. K. (2020). Families that Work: Policies for Reconciling Parenthood and Employment. Russell Sage Foundation.
  34. Grant, K., et al. (2021). Evaluating leadership: Gender biases in assessments. Australian Journal of Management, 46(3), 430-445.
  35. Hans-Joachim W, Dorothee Alfermann, Ursula Athenstaedt, (2020) Gender, gender self-perceptions, and workplace leadership. Handbook of labor, human resources and population economics, 1-27, 2020
  36. Heilman, M. E. (2021). Gender stereotypes and workplace bias. Research in Organizational Behavior, 41, 100165.
  37. Hooks, B. (1984). Feminist theory: From margin to center. South End Press. 270.
  38. Hurst, J., & Ritchie, C. (2022). Gender biases in leadership selection in the UK. British Journal of Management, 33(2), 301-319.
  39. Ilesanmi, O. O. (2018). Women’s visibility in decision making processes in Africa progress, challenges, and way forward. Frontiers in Sociology, 38.
  40. Ilesanmi, O. O. (2018, December 11). Women’s Visibility in Decision Making Processes in Africa  Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward. Frontiers in Sociology, 3(38). doi:10.3389%2Ffsoc.2018.00038
  41. Jones, S., et al. (2022). Barriers to women's leadership in Australia: A cross-sectional study. Australian Journal of Management, 47(1), 102-119.
  42. Kearney, J., & Kearney, M. (2022). The role of confidence in women's leadership. Australian Journal of Management, 47(2), 345-360.
  43. Kellerman, B. and Rhodes, D. L. (2019). Women at the top. Women and leadership in higher education. A volume in women and leadership: Research, theory, and practice (pp. 23-39). Information Age Publishing, Inc. Charlotte, NC.
  44. Khan, M. A., et al. (2022). Cultural perceptions of gender roles and leadership in Pakistan. Journal of Leadership Studies, 16(1), 42-56. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.2190\Kirk, S., & Okazaki, M. (2022). Societal perceptions of gender roles: Impact on leadership. Gender, Work & Organization, 29(3), 708 726.
  45. Krejcie, D. and Morgan, W. (1970). “Determining Sample Size for Research Activities” (Educational and Psychological Measurement pp. 607-610)
  46. Kuo, M., & Yu, Y. (2023). Gender stereotypes and leadership adaptability in the U.S. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 44(3), 501-517.
  47. Loes A, Daphne J et al, (2020) Political leadership in the media: Gender bias in leader stereotypes during campaign and routine times. British Journal of Political Science 50 (3), 911-931.
  48. Madsen, S. R. (2012). Women and leadership in higher education: Current realities, challenges and future directions. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 14(2), 131- 139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1523422311436299
  49. Matland, R. E. (2021). The effects of family and domestic roles on women's leadership. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 42(4), 568-585.
  50. Matland, R. E., & Montgomery, K. A. (2021). Women's representation in political office: A global perspective. Politics & Gender, 17(2), 321-347.