Examining Barriers of Representation in Gender: Glass Ceiling and Glass Walls in the Ethiopian Bureaucracy

Abstract

Despite the growing body of research on gender representation, there has been relatively little attention paid to why women are underrepresented in management roles in African governments. This article focuses on Ethiopia to demonstrate that glass ceiling and glass walls are critical factors in government. The study examines impediments to gender representation through two distinct methods. First, quantitative analysis is used to empirically verify whether existing theories of the glass ceiling apply to the Ethiopian context, revealing that a lack of networking and work-life conflicts are significant barriers to women’s representation at both high and low management levels. Second, qualitative analysis uncovers new variables concerning barriers to gender representation, including inconsistent affirmative action implementation, lack of political commitment and accountability, and a lack of desire for managerial roles among women. This research contributes to our empirical knowledge of the barriers to women’s representation in developing countries.