The main purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting females' participation andrnperformance in second cycle primary schools in Loka Abaya woreda. To achieve this objectivernd!iJerent basic research questions were raised. The study employed concurrent mixed methodsrndesign with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The researcher used cluster samplingrntechnique, random sampling, and purposive sampling techniques to select sample schools andrnparticipants. Student respondents were selected based on strat(fied sampling considering theirrnsex, grade level and their parental SES. Teacher respondents were also selected from eachrndepartment by using random sampling technique and parents were chosen by using availabilityrnsampling technique. To triangulate the data primary and secondary source of data were used.rnThe primary data sources comprised students, teachers, principals, parents and woredas andrnzone educational expertise. As secondary sources of data statistical and factual information ofrnthe woreda education department and 2005E. C first and second semester female students 'rnexamination results were analyzed. Depending on the research questions and the nature of thernrespondents, a variety of data gathering tools including questionnaire, interview and observationrnwere used. Percentage was predominantly used to indicate the extent of respondents ' opinionrntowards the issue raised. As .finding of the study indicated, the second cycle primary schoolsrnrepetition offemale student is a serious problem throughout the woreda. The study also revealedrnthat low level of parental education, low level of parental involvement in their daughters 'rneducation and house hold chores negatively affect females' participation and performance.rnSchool related factors like school facility, lack of role model female teachers, teachers altitudernalso negatively affected females' participation and performance. Thus based on the findings ofrnthis study, it is recommended that educational officials at various levels should promote andrnenhance awareness creation programs on gender issue in education to parents and otherrncommunity members. Teachers, parents and school principals should work jointly with femalernstudents to improve females' education. Moreover the local government and the communityrnshould work jointly to support females' education by facilitating the school with necessary inputsrnfor females by updating teachers with gender issue in education. The schools themselves shouldrncreate conducive environment to empower females by assigning a team leader and members inrndwerent school curricular activities. Female teachers should playa part in this regard.