Stereotypes that prevent women from pursuing leadership positions: a case study of selected Tanzanian women.

Abstract

Globally women have been fighting for equality in political leadership, yet they continue to face prejudices in achieving political posts. The present study aimed to unearth women's experience in striving for leadership positions. Specifically, a study aimed to evaluate changing women's roles to leadership positions and stereotypes restricting women from rising to leadership positions. This study employed a longitudinal strategy to collect data from 31 women. All of them were interviewed to supplement information from newspapers. It was discovered that all women statistically changed their position from low to high, indicating that they are striving to achieve such status. It was also discovered that stereotypes such as little or no mentorship, male rejection, family responsibilities, and rejection in achieving leadership roles were statistically significant. The study recommended that the Tanzania Women's Parliamentary Group (TWPG) extend their roles to female-to-female mentorship from secondary schools to universities to mentor emerging female leaders in our county.