Women in Leadership: Factors Affecting Career Advancement of Women to Senior Leadership Positions in the NGO Sector a Case Study of Selected NGOs in Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the factors that affected the career advancement of women into senior leadership positions within the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) sector in Uganda. Despite global and national efforts to promote gender equality, women remained disproportionately underrepresented in top leadership roles. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed via Google Forms to 112 male and female professionals working in NGOs across Uganda. The study investigated individual, organizational, and socio-cultural barriers to women's progression. The findings indicated that limited access to leadership development opportunities, low self-confidence, and challenges in balancing work and family life were significant individual-level barriers. Organizational constraints included inadequate mentorship, gender-biased recruitment and promotion practices, and male-dominated workplace cultures. Socio-cultural factors—such as entrenched patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes—further limited women’s leadership aspirations and acceptance. Although some NGOs had adopted gender-sensitive policies, their inconsistent implementation and weak accountability mechanisms reduced their effectiveness. The study concluded that a multifaceted approach—encompassing policy reform, capacity building, and cultural transformation—is essential to foster inclusive leadership and support the advancement of women in Uganda’s NGO sector.