Influence of Women’s Social Characteristics on their Participation in Leadership: Case Private Universities Mogadishu, Somalia
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Date
2020
Authors
Raqia, Ahmed Mohamed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study examines women‟s social characteristics that may contribute to their
low participation level in leadership positions. The overall purpose of the study
was to explore the influence of women‟s social characteristics on their
participation in leadership, using a case of three private Universities in Mogadishu.
With this purpose, the following four specific objectives were set: to identify the
Influence of family responsibility on women participation in leadership. To
determine the Influence of women academic involvement on their participation in
leadership. To determine the Influence of cultural aspects and religion on women
participation in leadership. To assess the Influence of women‟s economic
empowerment on their participation in leadership: a case of private Universities in
Mogadishu, to guide the researcher through every step of the study procedure. The
study adopted a correlational research design. Data was collected through selfreports (questionnaires and interviews) and correlations. A sample of 73
representative participants was selected at simple random from 89 target
population at three private universities in Mogadishu. The research findings were
analyzed and interpreted in brief textual explanations, supported by data presented
in frequency tables. The study in general thought that the men who control the
three researched private universities in Mogadishu entertain a doubt about
women‟s capability of doing managerial tasks, implying that women are not very
fit for leadership positions-a labelling that made most of the women there lose
confidence and the courage to aspire to posts at managerial levels in those
universities. The study concluded that family responsibilities have an influence on
women‟s participation in leadership. These universities do not provide support for
women with family responsibilities, for example, they do not cater for the needs of
the women with family responsibilities. The study reached the conclusion that
women‟s lack of involvement in academic activities has an influence on their
participation in leadership, mostly owing to their under representation at senior
levels in these private universities. The study came to the conclusion that cultural
aspects and religion have an influence on their participation in leadership. In
tradition, Somali communities disapprove of women assuming leadership positions
for unfair opinions about their gender. The study also concluded that women
economic empowerment has an influence on their participation in leadership, that a
well-paid job is central to economic empowerment, given its inherent importance
to women‟s well-being and ability to advance in areas such as acquiring income
and assets. The study strongly recommended that all appropriate stakeholders
should make a concerted effort to ensure that the different institutions of society
(the family, the school, the university, the community and the government) respect
Somali women‟s rights and meet their needs and requirements by means of laws,
rules policies, economic empowerment, up-skilling, procedures, standards, daily
practices and national forums on gender inequality to identify and develop
strategies for dealing with the existing gender issues and concerns in higher
educational institutions in order to increase women‟s participation in leadership
positions.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of
Education Department of Educational Management,
Policy and Curriculum Studies in Fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Award of Masters of Education
Degree, Kenyatta University
Keywords
Private Universities, Mogadishu, Kenya, Women leadership.