A WOMEN’S rights group has petitioned Parliament demanding that legislators put brakes to the government’s plans to privatise water services.
In the petition, the Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP) warned that the move would deepen inequality, compromise public health, and disproportionately burden women and girls.
Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe has announced plans to privatise water and waste management by rolling out prepaid smart water meters under a build-operate-transfer model.
The model will start in Harare’s high-density suburbs before extending to Bulawayo, Gweru, and Victoria Falls.
The EJWP demanded that lawmakers pass a Water Justice Bill to enshrine public ownership and stop water privatisation.
It also demanded that the government invests in public and community-managed water systems, instead of outsourcing to profit-driven private companies.
“We are calling upon fellow civil society organisations, members of the media and respective critical stakeholders to heed our call and support this cause,” EJWP said
“Water is life and is a basic human right, not a luxury.
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“We call on Parliament and all duty-bearers to act with urgency to protect this fundamental right to water using a people over profit approach.”
The rights group warned that women and girls would bear the heaviest burden, undermining constitutional rights and increasing social inequalities.
“Water commodification will worsen gender injustice, undermining women’s health, dignity and economic participation.”
It added that water privatisation directly contravenes Section 77 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to safe, clean, and potable water.
Harare is currently characterised by high levels of water rationing in most high-density suburbs, forcing residents to turn to unsafe water sources risking an outbreak of water borne diseases.
“This is the reason why cholera, typhoid and other sanitation-related diseases frequent Harare and Bulawayo’s suburbs, exhausting struggling healthcare systems and taking lives,” the EJWP said.
“With privatisation, the demand for cheap water will surge, making it even scarcer, putting the lives of citizens at risk and putting more pressure on the lowly functional health centres.”
