Challenges Faced By Female Employees In Career Development At Kenya Institute Of Curriculum Development

Abstract

Women in organizations face more challenges than their male colleagues both in execution of their duties and in career development. The challenges unique to women include lack of training and development, gender stereotypes, being excluded from useful information shared in places that are not accessible to women due to their gender or due to their unique roles and responsibilities in the family. In this regard, the study sought to establish the challenges faced by women employees in career development at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development. The target population was the female employees at the Institute who are one hundred and eighty six in total. This data was been collected from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Employee bio data, 2016.The target population was the female employees at the Institute who are one hundred and eighty six in total. Stratified random sampling technique was used to pick the sample. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed in the analysis. The challenges encountered by women in career development entailed; gender stereotypes, resistance to women’s leadership, limited access to informal interactions and training and development. The study also established that the women have to constantly prove themselves if they were to progress career wise. The study concludes that women employees are assessed on different individual disposition from that of their male colleagues. The study has established that career progression for women differs from that of men. The study recommended that organizations should use different parameters to measure performance of female employees and also inform career development patterns of female employees owing to their various roles that they undertake. In addition, their familial responsibilities should also be considered and their performance measured bearing in consideration their roles as care givers as well as employees, and the two roles played should be therefore recognized and appreciated. Organizations should also develop policies that help develop career growth of mothers with young families so as to help them balance and develop in their careers.