CHALLENGES OF WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT POSITIONS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE BOLGATANGA MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT The study investigated the challenges of women in educational institutions in the Bolgatanga Municipality. They purpose of the research was to assess the main factors that affect women’s participation in management positions. The descriptive survey method was adopted with a sample size of 150. The sample was randomly selected. The questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data. The main methods used in analyzing the data were frequency and simple percentage distributions. The main findings of the study are that gender discriminating male dominates working environment and traditional beliefs/practices such as early marriage, women not being regarded as bread winners, women are not expected to hold leadership position were the major barriers and challenges that affect women’s participation in management positions. Other findings are that women prefer working under male leaders because of their perception that women leaders want to be called ‘mama’ are dictators and not easily approachable. The study recommends that non-governmental organization and civil society groups interested in the welfare of women lobby the Ministry of education and Ghana Education Service to institute measures to give meaning to the policy of affirmative action to eliminate gender discrimination and male dominated working environments in educational institutions.