Abstract

Globally, several interventions have been made to enable women to participate in political leadership and decision-making positions. However, women remain under- represented in these positions. The aim of this article is to assess the challenges with implementing political leadership and decision-making participatory rights for women using Bahirdar city administration as a case study.The findings of the study show that women face low considerations in political leadership and decision- making, and that they hold lower non-decision making and leadership positions in the city administration. More importantly, the findings show that a wide range of socio-cultural attitudes, conflict of balance between domestic and public life, lack of confidence and unwillingness by women themselves, and others prevent a more equal representation of women in the city administration executive power structure. Therefore, efforts, such as the creation of an enabling environment to enhance women’s participation in politics, the provision of women-related civic projects, the creation of awareness among young girls in schools through civic and ethical education about the importance of women’s political representation are recommended to enhance women’s political participation in the city in order to contribute to ensuring gender parity in the country in accordance to AU 2063 Agenda.