Challenges of Empowered Women of State Universities and Colleges

Abstract

"This descriptive study aimed to determine the challenges of empowered women in state universities and colleges (SUCs) of Panay Island as basis for enhancing women leadership. The respondents of the study were the empowered women of purposively chosen SUCs, women who hold managerial positions as President, Vice-president, Director, Dean, and Program heads. Data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire on characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of empowered women subjected to jury validation by women managers and pool of experts on gender and development. Weighted mean, percentage, and One-Way ANOVA. The results of the study showed that the challenges of state universities’ empowered women as an entire group in terms of personal and organizational aspects are “Not Much” while for the cultural aspect, it is described as “Not a Challenge”. As to cultural aspect, when grouped according to age, the challenges are “Not a Challenge” but when grouped according to educational attainment, civil status, position, and SUC level, the challenges are “Very Much a challenge.” The empowered women have inferior access to assets, experience a bit of difficulty in handling finances at home. They also believe that sexual harassment persists in the job and experience discriminatory culture. The Human Resource Management office shall device programs and measures to support women managers and contribute not only towards the attainment of the vision, mission and objectives of the institution but enhancing the social life of the empowered women as well. The administration may support and further improve on personal and organizational aspects of challenges since these areas are found to have no obstacle or barriers."