The study was designed to investigate the factors that contribute to the low participationrnof women and to assess the opportunities that promote womenâ€™s participation in schoolrnleadership. Survey research method was conducted in five secondary schools and the datarnwere collected using questionnaire, interview ,and focus group discussion from teachers,rnAddis Ababa city government education bureau gender expert, woredas education bureaurnofficials ,vice principals, and a principal; then the data were analyzed both quantitativelyrnand qualitatively. Therefore the result revealed that the presence of strategies, plans, andrnpolicies, gender sensitivity of selection criteria of principals for secondary schools,rnregular revision of gender policies and strategies ,the presence of women affairrndepartments and presence of on-job and pre-job trainings and the effectiveness of womenrnin planning were the opportunities that encouraged womenâ€™s participation in schoolrnleadership. However, less commitment of officials to implement gender sensitivernpolicies, negative stereotyping, fear of balancing family and professional work, informalrnnetwork of men, absence of role models and low educational background of women werernbarriers for the low participation of women principals in secondary schools. Therefore, tornenhance the participation of women principals in secondary schools, all officials shouldrnbe committed to implement gender sensitive policies, awareness creation programsrnshould be implemented to the society ,and strong network of women should be designedrnthrough which they can share experience.