Gender and women participation in administration: a case of vocational institutions in central Uganda

Abstract

There is a growing need for equal gender participation in educational administration especially in vocational institutions where women are generally few. The study sought to investigate the influence of gender on participation of women in administration of Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions in Central Uganda. The methodology used took the form of a cross-sectional survey design based on quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study population comprised of 155 respondents including principals, deputy principals, head of departments, student leaders and BTVET Officers. These were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. To gather the necessary data for the study, a questionnaire and an interview guide were used. The study tested for validity using content validity indices and to obtain reliability, a Cronbach Alpha test was run. Data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS verson.17.0) where descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were used. The key finding indicated a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between gender and participation of women in administration at 0 .3 89 ** with a significance of 0. 000 at the level of 0.01. Other findings showed that out of the 71 administrative positions in VET institutions, women held 23 (32.4%) justifying they were under-represented. Likewise, it was clear from the findings that social, cultural and structural factors largely affected the participation of women in administration of VET institutions. The study recommends that the government should formulate equal opportunity policies on educational administration, as well as carrying out sensitization aimed at eradicating socio-cultural attitudes and values.