Abstract:
The study was generally intended to examine challenges facing and available opportunities for
women managers in the Public Sectors of Ambo District, West Shoa Zone. Moreover, it was
concerned with asking about the status, identifying challenges, and explaining initiatives taken by
the sectors to resolve women managers’ problems. Simple random sampling was used to collect
the required data through a structured questionnaire and conduct interviews with 1 head and 3
experts purposively selected to get sufficient information from the Women and Children’s office.
One hundred thirty-one questionnaires (131) were distributed and ninety-five percent (95%) of
them were returned were 5 % filled. To achieve the study's aims, the study used a descriptive
research design along with Qualitative and Quantitative research approaches. A closed-ended
questionnaire and a Five-point Likert scale were used as measuring methods. In addition, data
were collected through interviews and document reviews to supplement data gained through a
questionnaire survey. Tables and figures were used to show the data, which were then evaluated
using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviations with the help
of SPSS version 20). It is found that women are generally underrepresented in public sectors and
the majority of them are not adequately held managerial positions. Gaps in the glass ceiling,
socio-cultural factors, gender stereotyping, and individual and organizational barriers are the
major challenges for women to join and step forward in managerial positions. Public sectors and
the local government have taken some encouraging initiatives to increase women’s share of
managerial positions. However, women themselves are not adequate to avoid the glass ceiling
attitudes in managerial occupations although current political movements and international
institutions’ pressure among others are available opportunities. Generally, women managers
have encountered challenges both within the organization and outside of the organization.
Therefore, in addition to using available opportunities, all collective efforts of stakeholders are
generally recommended to minimize the challenges facing women managers in the public sectors
of Ambo Distric
