Aklanon women in local politics: their extent of managerial involvement in community development projects

Abstract

This study explored the extent of managerial involvement of Aklanon women politicians in implementing development projects in their respective communities. The women's personal profile, academic and professional preparations, economic condition, political career, extent of participation in household decision-making, involvement in community development projects and problems The shot one encountered during implementation of the projects were analyzed. research design was used involving 100 women re-elected politicians from the eight randomly selected municipalities of Aklan. survey The study revealed that the women's average age is 51.63 years old and mostly married. They have attended formal schooling and several work-related trainings, members of at least two social/ civic/ religious organizations, in politics for an average of 8.10 years and members of local development committees. Their average family monthly income is Php6,626.54. The women showed moderate extent of participation in household decision-making particularly in household management, family health care and reproductive health. They had very high extent of managerial involvement in implementing community development projects specifically in performing interpersonal roles as figurehead, leader and liaison; in performing informational monitor, disseminator, and spokesperson; and in performing the decisional roles as entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, and negotiator. Elected women's educational attainment, family income and membership to local development committees have positive significant association with their participation in household decision-making. The women's attendance to work-related trainings, household size, family income, presence of secondary occupation and membership to local development committees showed positive significant association with their managerial involvement in implementing development projects. The study also revealed that the women's extent of participation in household decision- making is directly related to their extent of managerial involvement in implementing development projects. The problems encountered were lack of funds; lack of oneness in prioritizing what project to propose and implement; lack of cooperation; absenteeism and partisan politics among the public officials. These were remedied thru outsourcing, dialogue during meetings and consultation with elders for advises.