Browsing by Author "Kassahun, Meseret"

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    Dallocha Women Water Development Association in Managing Community Water Project: Is it Empowering?
    (Addis Ababa University, 2006-06) Kassahun, Meseret; Johnson, Alice K. (PhD)
    By taking Dallocha Women Water Development Association (DWWDA) as a subject, this study explores the involvement of rural women in managing community water project as an enabling factor to empowerment. The study is undertaken in Dallocha Wereda, 182 KMs south west of Addis Ababa, Silliti Zone of Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples State. Primary data has been collected by utilizing qualitative data generation techniques such as in-depth interviewing and focus group discussions. Field observations were also employed as a suplementary method. Related research studies, policies, journals, published and unpublished books and report papers have been reviewed and analyzed. Findings indicate that managing the community water project has enabled DWWDA members in increasing their decision-making power at household and within community level relative to their prior experience to their membership. The study also highlights the contribution of DWWDA in challenging the beliefs and practices of patriarchal social relationships which expects men to hold decision-making power. Organizing women in association, increasing their awareness on various socio-cultural issues, building their management and leadership skill and availing important resources are found as enabling factors in the empowerment process. The study further indicates the need for comprehensive intervention towards achieving empowerment of DWWDA members and to transform the cultural and normative context of the larger community in which DWWDA members participate