BPRA demands action on water crisis
Providence Moyo
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) is calling for immediate action to de-silt crucial dams supplying water to Bulawayo, in efforts to enhance the city’s water supply sustainability.
The association highlights the urgent need for this initiative to relieve the burden on women, who often shoulder the responsibility of water collection.
BPRA’s report titled ‘A Synopsis of The Persistent Water Challenges And Coping Strategies Implemented To Avert Crisis: A Case Study of Selected Schools in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’ underscores the significance of de-siltation in increasing the water-carrying capacity of these dams, ultimately boosting the available water volume for Bulawayo residents. Water scarcity not only jeopardizes the community’s health but also exacerbates challenges faced by women, who bear the brunt of inadequate clean water access.
The study highlights the heavy burden on women, given their primary roles in domestic duties. As the main caregivers in households, women endure the predominant task of water collection, leading to heightened stress and daily obstacles.
“Traditionally, women have been disproportionately responsible for water fetching, perpetuating gender disparities in resource accessibility. In Bulawayo, water shortages have significantly increased healthcare demands on women, heightening risks associated with utilizing contaminated water, primarily managed within households.”
Furthermore, the report sheds light on the longstanding vulnerability of women to various forms of harassment, particularly sexual harassment, at water points. This alarming trend underscores the critical need for immediate intervention and support to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by women amidst water scarcity.
BPRA also asserts that addressing this issue would also benefit school-going children by alleviating the water search burden on families.
These research findings emphasize the critical necessity for targeted interventions and equitable water resource distribution to mitigate the disproportionate impact of water scarcity on women in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo has experienced severe water shortages in recent years primarily because the dams supplying water to the city have reduced storage capacity.
