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Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science

ISSN Online: 2576-0548 ISSN Print: 2576-0556 CODEN: JHASAY
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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2026.01.007

Effects of Gender Inclusiveness Policies on Women’s Participation in Leadership Positions: Case of the Guji Zone Administration

Dure Bude Gobena1, Dawit Udessa Gede2,*

1Guji Zone Women and Children Affairs Office, Oromia, Ethiopia.

2Department of Management College of Business and Economics, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora 144, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author: Dawit Udessa Gede

Published: January 23, 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of gender-inclusive policies on women’s participation in leadership positions within the Guji Zone administration. It employed a mixed research approach by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. 245 samples were proposed to be used for data collection, among which 223 completed questionnaires were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistical findings. According to descriptive findings, women’s participation in leadership roles had an average score of 2.75. Affirmative action, mentorship networks, community awareness campaigns, and women’s leadership development programs are examples of independent variables that can explain approximately 79.3% of the variance in women’s leadership participation, according to the model’s R2 value of 0.793, which indicates a strong model fit. Although the advantages of affirmative action initiatives were acknowledged, qualitative interview results showed systemic barriers to women’s advancement, including cultural prejudices and insufficient support systems. In conclusion, despite the fact that gender-inclusive policies are acknowledged, there is currently little proof that they significantly affect the number of women in leadership roles. The recommendations include strengthening affirmative action implementation, enhancing women’s leadership development programs, and creating official mentorship networks.

Keyword

Gender Inclusiveness; Women Leadership; Affirmative Action; Guji Zone; Community Awareness; Mentorship Networks

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© 2026 by the author(s).
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How to cite this paper

Effects of Gender Inclusiveness Policies on Women’s Participation in Leadership Positions: Case of the Guji Zone Administration

How to cite this paper: Dure Bude Gobena, Dawit Udessa Gede. (2026) Effects of Gender Inclusiveness Policies on Women’s Participation in Leadership Positions: Case of the Guji Zone Administration. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science10(1), 59-77.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2026.01.007