This study was undertaken to establish the effect of socio-cultural factors on women’s representation in political leadership in Mbale City Councils. In this research socio-cultural factors were regarded as the independent variable, while women’s representation in political leadership was considered as the dependent variable. The study was guided by three research objectives. It employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and data was collected from 280 respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS computer software (Version 23) to generate frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Principal Component Analysis and Regression were employed to determine the model of interrelations and strength among the constructs of socio-cultural factors variable and their level of effect on women’s representation in political leadership in Mbale City Councils. Qualitative data was done through thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that socio-cultural factors significantly affect women’s representation in political leadership in Mbale City Councils. They further revealed that religion, gender relations and social classes in society have a statistically significant effect on women’s representation in political leadership in Mbale City Councils. It is concluded that socio-cultural factors have a significant effect women’s representation in political leadership in Mbale City Councils. It is therefore recommended that the governments should engage political parties to ensure that they comprise more women on their candidates list. Political parties should become the institutional vehicle through which women’s representation in political leadership is enhanced especially in facilitating their participation within party structures and over election periods. The electoral commissions and political parties need to engage women through awareness campaigns. Religious and cultural leaders should cooperate with the government and human rights officers in order to provide political freedom for women and raise more funds for independent female politicians and encourage them to fully embrace political leadership.
Cite this paper
Mohamed, F. (2023). Socio-Cultural Factors and Women’s Representation in Political Leadership: Case Study Mbale City Councils. Open Access Library Journal, 10, e847. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1110847.
Aciro, H.R. and Kopoka, P.A. (2019) Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in Political Party Leadership in Uganda. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi.
UN Women (2015) Facts and Figures: Leadership and Political Participation.
https://palestine.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures-0
Endale, A. (2012) Factors That Affect Women Participation in Leadership and Decision Making Position. Asian Journal of Humanity, Art and Literature, 1, 97-117.
Zinyemba, A. (2013) Impact of Culture and Gender on Women Managers in the Hospitality and Financial Services. The Faculty of Commerce, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
O’Neil, T., Plank, G. and Domingo, P. (2015) Literature Review: Support to Women and Girls’ Leadership: A Rapid Review of the Evidence. Overseas Development Institute (ODI), London.
Chowdhury, F. (2013) Women’s Participation in Local Governments in Bangladesh and India. In: The Impact of Women’s Political Leadership on Democracy and Development, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, 64-85.
https://doi.org/10.14217/9781848591677-6-en
Voller, Y. (2016) The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and the South Sudan Question: Reconsidering Moderation. International Affairs, 92, 665-682.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2346.12603
Doepke, M., Tertilt, M. and Voena, A. (2011) The Economics and Politics of Women’s Rights. Department of Economics, Northwestern University, Evanston.
https://doi.org/10.3386/w17672
Folke, O. and Rickne, J. (2012) Female Representation but Male Rule? Party Competition and the Political Glass Ceiling. Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Stockholm. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2179521
Taylor, G. and Pereznieto, P. (2014) Review of Evaluation Approaches and Methods Used by Interventions on Women and Girls’ Economic Empowerment. ODI, London.
Zangirolami-Raimundo, J., Echeimberg, J.O. and Leone, C. (2018) Research Methodologytopics: Cross-Sectional Studies. Journal of Human Growth and Development, 28, 356-360. https://doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.152198
Taherdoost, H. (2022) Designing a Questionnaire for a Research Paper: A Comprehensive Guide to Design and Develop an Effective Questionnaire. Asian Journal of Managerial Science, 11, 8-16. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajms-2022.11.1.3087
Eatock, D. (2019) European Parliamentary Research Service. |
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2019/637955/EPRS_IDA(2019)637955_EN.pdf
George, T. and Merkus, J. (2022, December 2) Unstructured Interview, Definition, Guide & Examples. Scribbr.
https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/unstructured-interview
Mazaki, K.E. (2017) Staff Welfare and Teachers’ Performance in Public Primary Schools in Bugisu Sub-Region. The University of Science and Technology in Uganda, Mbarara.
Goetz, A.M. (2013) Women’s Education and Political Participation. Background Paper Prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2003/4 Gender and Education for All: The Leap to Equality.
