African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (4), pp. 028-036, October, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

 Full Length Research Paper 

Theoretical models of leadership and feminist theory that are pertinent to women leadership

Moven C. Ndlovu^1* Edgar Hoffman Tekere¹ and Robert H. Gibbs²

¹University of Huelva, Spain.

²International Centre for Development of Entrepreneurial Communities, Zimbabwe.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 June, 2016

Abstract

This paper seeks to capture the characteristics that prevail in the leadership styles of women leaders paying special attention to their individual leaders’ journeys. The study reviews the theoretical models of leadership and feminist theory that are particularly pertinent from the discussion of women leadership. A narrative approach is adopted for analyzing two women leaders’ journeys –Mary Kay and Mother Teresa– who succeeded in very different contexts. The stories exemplify some of the most important attributes that have been highlighted to play a focal role in current leadership research. The findings suggest that women lead teams and organizations through an authentic leadership and a genuine position of service, once they have become masters in self-leadership.

Key words: Leadership, gender, women, transformational leadership, servant leadership, self-leadership.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (3), pp. 020-027, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Historical survey of land tenure system and women’s right to resource access in Northern and Central Ethiopia

*Alexandra Hailu Benti, Tafari L. Eleni and Abune Paulos Benti

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Debre markos University

*Corresponding Authors. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 19 January 2016

Abstract

This article attempted to examine how the evolution of land tenure system in north and central Ethiopia historically resulted in unequal resource accesses as far as gender relations are concerned. The article is an outcome of historical research and the researcher has employed a qualitative research method. Accordingly, written historical documents related to the study were consulted carefully and important secondary sources were also referred to. Having analyzed the historical evolution of land tenure system, the study also tried to indicate that the question of access to land had not only been an economic issue, but also a political and cultural one at the state level for many centuries. As this study unraveled, in Ethiopia for at least two millennia, both the acquisition and inheritance of land had been highly patriarchal because the state mobilized the military who usually happened to be men to expand its territory. Hence, land was occupied and defended mostly by men. As the usual habit of the patriarchal system elsewhere, the claim to possession of land was based on belonging to a descent line of an original father who happened to be the first to occupy the land. Since unlike men, women usually did not get the chance to participate at the line of military confrontations that were launched for territorial expansions and land acquisitions, they were deprived of the right to land access. Consequently, this land tenure system in the 13^th to 20^th century Ethiopia resulted in the creation of a deep rooted gender biased socio-political structure that denied women the access to important economic, political and social privileges.

Key words: Land tenure, sïrit, gender relations, rïst, gult, militarism, Ethiopian women.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (2), pp. 016-019, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper 

Gender differences in the experience of work burnout among University staff in Nigeria

Adedokun Henry Abeeb

Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 January, 2016

Abstract

This study examined gender differences as a factor in the experience of work-burnout among University Staff. It made use of 1040 respondents (549 male and 491 female). Maslach Burnout Inventory was used as an instrument to assess the level of differences in the emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment of staff of both sexes. Three hypotheses were posited and were tested using t-test statistics. Results indicated that there is no difference in the levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation of both male and female staff. However, the mean of the scores on the reduced personal accomplishment of both sexes shows a significant difference. It was confirmed also that female staff experienced higher level of reduced personal accomplishment than their male counterparts. Implications of these results were given while recommendations were made on how best to tackle the growing phenomenon of burnout among both sexes.

Key words: Work-burnout, de-personalisation, emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment and gender.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2736-1578 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Manifestation of human sexuality and its relevance to secondary schools in Nigeria

Akeem Ayofe Akinwale

Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 21 April, 2015

Abstract

The alarms against the menace of premarital sexual activities reached a crescendo but the behaviour of young people remained at variance with the alarms. This contradiction contributed to the growth of sexually transmitted diseases including human immune virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Thus, this study examined manifestation of human sexuality and its relevance to secondary schools in Nigeria using information derived from content analysis of secondary data. Results principally showed that human sexuality extended beyond procreation as it captured all the nuances of the socio-cultural contexts of a society. Different sexualities such as child sexuality, adolescent sexuality, adult sexuality and sexuality of the elderly produced specific implications for the entire society. Conclusively, understanding of the interdependent layers of human sexuality would promote the management of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. Therefore, it was recommended that sexuality education should be emphasized in the socialization from infancy till death. Nobody would be too young or old for learning human sexuality. Critical steps should be taken to empower students towards scanning their sexual histories and acquiring the right skills to manage any detected or potential sexual problem.

Key words: Schools, sexuality, STIs, youth.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2736-1578 Vol. 1 (2), pp. 001-014, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological stress and deritualization in East Asia: Ritual practices during dark age phases

Daniel Sarabia^1* and J. David Knottnerus²

¹Department of Sociology, Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153. (540) 375-2220 USA.

²Department of Sociology, Oklahoma State University, CLB 006, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA.

Accepted 21 October, 2015

Abstract

Despite highlighting the implications of resource over utilization and scarcity on social systems, recent studies under explore the impact of environmental stress on culture. Specifically, further research is needed to understand the importance of natural resources for ritual practices. This study utilizes struc-tural ritualization theory to analyze historical periods characterized by ecological degradation and deri-tualization. The period examined corresponds to the former and latter Han Dynasties, a moment in time that saw the first universal history of China written and where discussion of ritual appears prominently in historical documents. In addition to primary texts, secondary sources are used to examine derituali-zation and the continuity, abandonment, and emergence of new ritual practices. The results demon-strate that despite periods of resource unavailability social rituals survive. By tracing the introduction of Chinese ceramics and burial practices into the Korean peninsula and Japan, we see the strategies human communities employ when they can no longer obtain needed materials to practice specific rituals.

Key words: Structural ritualization, environment, dark ages, ritual.

African Journal of Gender and Women Studies ISSN 2516-9831 Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-015, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Gender equality and women’s empowerment endeavors in least developed countries to achieve MDGs

*Genzebe O. Darartu, Ejegayehu K. Tulu and Mengistu Derartu H. Abebe

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Institute of Cooperatives and Development Studies, Ambo University, Ethiopia.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 November, 2015

Abstract

This paper critically reviewed the gender equality and women’s empowerment endeavors in least developed countries (LDCs) and proposed policy and strategy measures for achieving millennium development goals (MDGs) in Ethiopia. Ethiopian women are economically, socially, culturally and politically disadvantaged in the enjoyment of equal rights, in accessing opportunities, decision-making processes, and basic resources. In other words, although a number of policies are emerging that support and encourage women’s participation in development, women’s access to and control of productive resources, information, training and education, employment and in decision-making are limited. The general objective of this paper is to assess the quest for gender equality and women’s empowerment in least developed countries to achieve MDGs and identify policy and strategy implications for Ethiopia. This paper adapts a human ecological approach and a comprehensive review and analysis of the existing literature was made in order to obtain both theoretical insights and secondary data on the review themes. The collected secondary data and information were qualitatively analyzed through narration and description and presented under relevant themes. The findings of the study reveal that promising efforts are being made by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to address gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in the process of achieving millennium development goals. Nevertheless, a lot has to be done for more effective gender equality and women’s empowerment thereby the millennium development goals (MDGs) and sustainable development objectives will be achieved in Ethiopia. Adaptation of the good practices of gender equality and women’s empowerment from different successful countries, proper implementation of the ratified international conventions on gender equality and women’s empowerment, and development and implementation of appropriate national gender policy will improve the condition of Ethiopian women in the years to come.

Key words: Development, empowerment, equality, ethiopia, gender, women.