| Summary: | Though women account for over one-half of the potential talent known throughout
the world, as a group they have been subordinated and their economic, social and
environmental contributions go in large part unrecognized. This is due to gender
socialization which is based on the socially-constructed and historically- developed
roles of men and women; putting men as actors whilst women are at the recipient
end. However, the scenario in Finland shows a slightly high level of equality as there
are many female leaders in Finland. Global Gender Gap Report 2013 p. 9. Thus this
study aimed to explore the factors that have created an enabling environment for
female leadership in Finnish comprehensive schools.
This study used qualitative phenomenological methodology to invoke the
perspectives of each of the participants’ experiences. Purposive interviews were
used to collect data from five female principals in different comprehensive schools in
Jyaskyla. Thematic analysis of data led to the discovery of four principal themes
which altogether answered all the three research questions and addressed the subject
matter.
Data revealed that the overall structural elements, that is the institutional
aspect, culture, norms and values in Finland build gender equitable environment
which goes a long way to promote female leadership in Finland. This holds true that
gender equality is more entrenched in Finland. From the respondent’s experiences,
gender as it self, is not important. What is important is the personality. However,
these women still face challenges as leaders next as female leaders.
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