DWWDA: from water fetching towards managing

DWWDA is an acronym for Dalocha Women Water Development Association. It is the body in charge of managing a huge water project, which supplies water to a population of above 67,000 people, in Dalocha Wereda, Guraghe zone. The water project is a large scheme embodying a reservoir system (two reservoirs with a capacity of 300m3 each and five small break pressure reservoirs of 50m3 each) linked to a 70kms pipeline network which operates on cost recovery basis. When one thinks of water, one usually sees women in their role of water fetchers. In Dalocha, women have gone beyond water fetching to managing a water project. How did these women come about to manage a water project of such huge magnitude? How are the women coping with their new role and responsibilities? What set backs do they face? This short paper, which is based on qualitative information obtained from the field, examines DWWDA’s performance as a managing body, and the issues arising from the short experience gained so far.