AN ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS-THE CASE OF GURAGE ZONE ABESHIGE WOREDA.

Abstract

Political participation is a basic democratic right that is constitutionally guaranteed for all citizens in a democratic state. In contrary, political participation of women in Abeshige Woreda is low; particularly in leadership position there number is very few in comparison to their population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current major challenges that hindered women from active political participation especially from leadership position. To meet these objectives the necessary primary data and secondary data were collected. The primary data were obtained through questionnaires and interviews while the secondary data were collected from documents, reports, charts and graphs. The study used 63 respondents of total populations which are purposively selected from four Kebeles that were members of women league. The collected data analyzed by descriptive statistics such as tables, percentages and simple statements. The findings of the study showed that the major challenges of women’s political participation were the socio-cultural factors, such as lack of help from spouses in domestic activities, lack of motivation from their colleagues and relatives and lack of recognition for women’s political ability, gender norm, low attitude of women towards politics, religious influence, and weakness of women league organization. Women have had a good opportunities and legal grounds to participate in politics. Through using these prospectsthey gained a number of benefits. Some of the possible strategies which help to overcome and mitigate the challenges of women political participation were strengthening women organizations, making the appointment of leader for women offices based on merit, giving immediate and proper response for women problems, creating in-depth and practical awareness for the society. Moreover, introducing new technologies that reduce the heavy workloads of women at home, giving proper recognition and opportunities for women political participation, providing supports for women organizations, commitment of policy implementers are some of the solutions that speed up the political participation ofwomen