Water Woes in Harare, Zimbabwe: Rethinking the Implications on Gender and Policy

Rampant and acute water shortages in Harare’s high density suburbs have caused untold suffering to women and children – who are mainly the managers of water at household level. This paper examines the implications of rampant water woes in Harare on gender and policy. In addition, the role of women in water supply management at different levels is also assessed. The study is grounded in qualitative methodology. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data from key informants (Harare Water and Residents Associations) as well as women and young girls living in Glen Norah and Hopley high density residential areas. Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted so as to augment rich qualitative data obtained from interviews. It emerges from the research, that water governing bodies are dominated by mostly men as compared to women. As a result poor women continue to be more vulnerable and they are the ones with the weakest voice in decision making. The situation is aggravated by low representation of women in local governance structures – that in turn make decisions pertaining to water management. It is recommended that water governing bodies/institutions should devise strategies and mechanisms that encourage women to freely participate in decision making at the local and national levels respectively. 

Rampant and acute water shortages in Harare’s high density suburbs have caused untold suffering to women and children – who are mainly the managers of water at household level. This paper examines the implications of rampant water woes in Harare on gender and policy. In addition, the role of women in water supply management at different levels is also assessed. The study is grounded in qualitative methodology. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data from key informants (Harare Water and Residents Associations) as well as women and young girls living in Glen Norah and Hopley high density residential areas. Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted so as to augment rich qualitative data obtained from interviews. It emerges from the research, that water governing bodies are dominated by mostly men as compared to women. As a result poor women continue to be more vulnerable and they are the ones with the weakest voice in decision making. The situation is aggravated by low representation of women in local governance structures – that in turn make decisions pertaining to water management. It is recommended that water governing bodies/institutions should devise strategies and mechanisms that encourage women to freely participate in decision making at the local and national levels respectively.