THE ROLE OF GENDER STEREOTYPING IN COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP: A CASE OF HO MUNICIPALITY

This study investigates the role of gender stereotyping in shaping community perceptions of women occupying leadership positions in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, Ghana. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Eagly (1987) and Eagly Karau (2002), the research explores how descriptive and prescriptive gender stereotypes influence societal attitudes toward female leadership. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 100 respondents through structured questionnaires based on a 5-point Likert scale. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between gender stereotypes and negative perceptions of women's leadership abilities (r = .61, p .05), affirming that stereotypes play a critical role in shaping community views. However, no significant gender differences were found in how men and women perceive female leadership (t = 1.35, p .05), nor was a significant relationship observed between general community perceptions and the actual rise of women to leadership roles (r = .16, p .05). These results suggest that while stereotypes are influential, broader systemic and cultural dynamics may also hinder women's leadership advancement. The study concludes with recommendations for addressing persistent gender biases through community education and inclusive policy reforms.