El liderazgo y su incidencia en la toma de decisiones en las mujeres barriales de la ciudad de Manta, año 2024.

Abstract

The research project titled "Leadership and its impact on decision-making among neighbourhood women in the city of Manta, year 2024" aims to analyse how leadership exercised by women influences decision-making processes within neighbourhood communities in Los Esteros parish, Manta. This study addresses the need to understand and highlight the role of women as agents of change in their social environments, overcoming cultural and structural barriers that have historically limited their participation. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, employing surveys with 357 women and interviews with key informants to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis. Variables such as leadership characteristics, the impact on decision-making, and factors that either favour or hinder female participation were identified. The findings reveal that although women play a crucial role in neighbourhood committees, they face obstacles such as unequal opportunities, gender stereotypes, and an overload of responsibilities. The study concludes that strengthening female leadership is essential to promote social cohesion, improve community organization, and ensure greater equity in decision-making. Furthermore, it provides recommendations including leadership training and the implementation of local policies to encourage women’s participation in leadership roles, thus contributing to the sustainable development of communities.