The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the magnitude of thernmajor factors that contributed to the low participation of women in thernleadership position of education in Wolaita Zone, SNNPR at the secondaryrnschools, WEOs and ZED levels. In order to attain the objective of the study,rndescriptive survey method was employed. The study was carried out in fou rrngovernment secondary schools, four WEOS and one ZED. The secondaryrnschools and WEOs were selected by simple random sampling techniques. Thernrespondents were selected by random sampling technique due to theirrnrespective homogeneity. The study involved 8 principals, 111 teachers and 15rnheads of the WEOs and ZED. Questionnaires, interviews and documentsrnregarding the participation of women at schools, WEOs and ZED in leadershiprnposition as club chairmen, class monitors, heads of schools, WEOs and ZEDrnwere used to collect information. The data gathered through questionnairesrnand check list were analyzed using percentages, mean, variance, weightedrnmean and an independent sample t-test. Based on the analysis the studyrndisclosed that socio-cultural, political-legal, women's self related factors,rninstitutional factors, economic factors and women's managerial skills andrnrelated factors were found to be the major factors that hindered women'srnparticipation in educational leadership in Wolaita Zone. Accordingly, thernimprovement of these problems or barriers may make a considerable changernin the degree of women participation in educational leadership in the zone.rnHence, it is recommended that all the concerned bodies of the WEOs and ZED,rnthe secondary schools, women themselves and the zone administrativerncouncil should take measures to improve the participation of women inrneducational leadership taking in to account that the participation of womenhalfrnof the population at both Zonal and national level may contribute muchrnmore to the development of education and other sectors, too and may reducernthe existing (prevailing) magnitude of the problem in women's participation.