Experiences of female directors in public sector institutions a case study of Electricity Company of Ghana (E.C.G)

Abstract

Although women are being actively elevated to top management positions in recent years, they still have to put up with some unpalatable experiences in order to achieve personal and organisational goals. In this study, the qualitative approach was adopted to examine the experiences of female directors in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Particularly, the study relied on interviews and participant observatio n to generate the data. Based on thematic analysis and via the lens of the Stereotype and Feminist Standpoint theories, the study observed that despite occupying leadership positions, there were constraints of female directors to perform the their roles and fu nctions. The study also found that the authority of these women sometimes suffered resistance from colleagues and subordinates. Additionally, female leaders in the ECG are sometimes excluded from decision decision-making processes on occasion they should be involve d. The analysis also show that gendered discrimination is somewhat institutionalised in this organisation with other women contributing to the discrimination against women leaders. In ascertaining how these practices are dealt with, the participants indica ted that the they employ resilience, avoidance and confrontational strategies. The study recommends that government institutions should develop stringent regulations to deal with such issues in order to ensure equity and organisational growth.