Wanno Wallole ¹ Abraham Alano ^2* Misganu Endriyas ^3*

• ¹ South Ethiopia Region Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs, Jinka, Ethiopia
• ² Hawassa University, Awasa, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
• ³ South Ethiopia Public Health Institute, Jinka, Ethiopia

Background Women’s empowerment is one of the fundamental issues for the attainment of sustainable development goals crossing multiple dimensions. In Ethiopia, Women Development Network (WDN), a network of women, was established in 2010 with development aims. Ensuring women empowerment critically needs collective efforts of platform such as WDN. However, there was paucity of information about the patterns of WDN functionalities, its contribution and factors affecting its functionality in rural areas of Southern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to explore WDN status, and factors affecting their functionality in Southern Ethiopia. Methodology The study employed an exploratory qualitative design. Data were collected from purposively selected zones in using focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Audio taped materials were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic approach. Initially, data were coded (open coding) and after several review, themes were developed and interpreted in line with the study objectives. Result WDN passes several steps from its establishment up to now. It was seen skeptically at its early inception, very good level of acceptance in the middle and staggering currently. However, WDN has contributed to improvements in household welfare resulting from increased ability to afford food, clothing, health, and education. Specific to health, WDN has contributed to general awareness creations, maternal and child health utilization and environmental sanitation. On the other hand, the volunteer nature of the job put pressure on the WDN and revealed socio economic stresses. Moreover, inconsistent support from stakeholders especially health extension workers, inadequate men engagement and sidelining of WDN by some educated women remain challenges for the sustainable functionality. Conclusion WDN has contributed for multidimensional development goals, especially health services uptake and environmental sanitation. However, overtime, it become flaccid and lost adequate emphasis by most of its stakeholders and supportive structures. Therefore, considering such vital inputs from community participation in resource limited settings, stakeholders should offer adequate attentions for the WDN in terms of selection, training, orientation, follow-up and acquainting with the community they serve. Moreover, efforts needed to retain women voluntarily serving and build positive images across all stakeholders and the fellow women receiving the services.