Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Achieving gender equality and empowerment for all women and girls has been
one of the focuses of the United Nation since the first Women Conference was
held in Mexico City in 1975. As a result, several frameworks and policies have
been drawn at national and international level meetings and conferences. From
Millennium Development Goal 3 (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goal 5
(SDGs), many governments, non-governmental organizations, private
institutions and establishments have turned their focus towards working to help
achieve gender equality. The purpose of the study is to describe experiences of
women in leadership positions. Chris Argyiris (1970) Intervention Theory is the
framework for the stud. I also explored their contributions, in terms of
initiatives, activities, projects, policies and programs aimed at helping to
achieve gender equality. The study also looked at challenges women in
leadership encounter in their quest to help achieve gender equality. The study
employed epistemology paradigm, qualitative approach and an exploratory
research design. In-depth interviews were conducted, relevant literature were
explored and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. It was found that
respondents prior to their leadership status experienced inequality in gender
roles and socialization, education, job opportunities and leadership.
Contributions of women in leadership to help achieve gender equality included
advocacy, training women on leadership skills, organize gender-sensitive
workshops, research and counseling as well as providing mentorship for women
and girls. It was also found that respondents encounter challenges such as
geographical/ environmental factors, artificial barriers in marriage, same-sex
marriage and financial constraints in their study.
The study recommended that, since empowerment greatly deals with the
financial strength of women, the government should set up a common fund that
women in leadership at the local level could access to help them in their
initiatives and programs.
