ActionAid Zim expresses concern over water scarcit...

ActionAid Zim expresses concern over water scarcity and its impact on women

Audrey Galawu

As the world celebrates World Water Day under the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace”, ActionAid Zimbabwe is highlighting the pressing issue of water scarcity and its disproportionate effects on women and girls.

ActionAid Zimbabwe said the country faces various challenges, including rapid urbanisation, escalating global temperatures driven by climate change, recurrent droughts, cholera outbreaks, and the persistent El Niño phenomenon, which have escalated water demand, straining already scarce water resources and infrastructure.

ActionAid Zimbabwe country director, Joy Mabenge said the absence of Gender-Responsive Public Services worsens women and girls’ vulnerability as they encounter harassment and rights violations at water points.

“The scarcity exacerbates existing gender inequalities, resulting in educational setbacks, economic hardships, and increased instances of conflict, domestic violence, and waterborne diseases.

“The climate-induced humanitarian crises, compounded by events like El Niño, have severely impacted communities’ ability to secure their livelihoods, especially those reliant on rain-fed agriculture and livestock. Clean water has become a commodity, leaving poor communities deprived of this critical resource.”

“Access to adequate, clean, and safe water is a fundamental human right. The Zimbabwean government, with support from civil society organisations, and ensuring the full participation of all rights holders, should implement measures for the guaranteed provision of water and sanitation facilities. This includes involving every stakeholder in decision-making processes related to water provision,” she said.

The organisation also expressed concern over budget allocations to Local Authorities and government agencies, such as the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority and Zimbabwe National Water Authority failing to account for population growth and increased demand for water and sanitation facilities, worsening the situation.

SRHR activist based in Binga Exodus Munkuli emphasised the dire situation, citing that women and girls suffer the most in the absence of water.

“Water is essential for various aspects of their lives, including menstruation, childbirth, and household chores. The burden of water collection falls disproportionately on women, often in unsafe conditions,” Munkuli said.

Caroline Mutimbanyoka, a women's rights activist and team leader for the Women for

Water Movement highlighted the troubling politicisation of water, stating,

“Asking for water, a basic right, has become a political statement. Women endure long queues and sometimes face assault to access water, making it a women’s crisis.”

Youth Activist, Diana Harahwa added that patriarchy worsens women’s vulnerabilities as they bear the responsibility of providing water for their households.

“In Mbire, Hwange, Chiredzi, Victoria Falls, and Kariba districts, water scarcity intensifies human-wildlife conflict as both compete for the same limited resource. Women, in particular, face heightened risks, often travelling longer distances in search of water,” she said.

ActionAid Zimbabwe further said the gravity of the situation necessitates urgent support from the international community to address these challenges and ensure inclusive recovery efforts.