By taking Dallocha Women Water Development Association (DWWDA) as a subject, thisrnstudy explores the involvement of rural women in managing community water project as anrnenabling factor to empowerment. The study is undertaken in Dallocha Wereda, 182 KMsrnsouth west of Addis Ababa, Silliti Zone of Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples State.rnPrimary data has been collected by utilizing qualitative data generation techniques such asrnin-depth interviewing and focus group discussions. Field observations were also employed asrna suplementary method. Related research studies, policies, journals, published andrnunpublished books and report papers have been reviewed and analyzed.rnFindings indicate that managing the community water project has enabled DWWDA membersrnin increasing their decision-making power at household and within community level relativernto their prior experience to their membership. The study also highlights the contribution ofrnDWWDA in challenging the beliefs and practices of patriarchal social relationships whichrnexpects men to hold decision-making power. Organizing women in association, increasingrntheir awareness on various socio-cultural issues, building their management and leadershiprnskill and availing important resources are found as enabling factors in the empowermentrnprocess. The study further indicates the need for comprehensive intervention towardsrnachieving empowerment of DWWDA members and to transform the cultural and normativerncontext of the larger community in which DWWDA members participate