Leaders challenged to ensure women enjoy full access to water, sanitation

Minister Pemmy Majodina has challenged women leaders in her department and its entities to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Constitution, especially access to water and sanitation, become the lived experience for all women in South Africa.

“The Constitution guarantees access to water and basic sanitation as a fundamental human right,” Majodina said.

Majodina, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, was speaking at the Women in Leadership Dialogue held in Pretoria on Friday, 4 October.

The dialogue was hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) for women in leadership positions in the department and its entities. It aimed to reflect on the strides made by women and the role played by women in leadership within the sector to uplift women, and expand access to basic services, especially water and sanitation.

Majodina said women and girls are the hardest hit by lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation.

The Minister noted that while significant strides have been made to empower women and promote gender equality since 1994, “the stark reality is that the majority of people living in conditions of poverty are women and the poorest households are headed by women”.

She said women are the hardest hit by a lack of access to clean water.

“Collecting water by carrying 25 litres on the head or pushing wheelbarrows while pregnant can cause health complications. Giving birth in a setting without safe drinking water or sanitation poses a serious risk for the survival of both mother and child.

“Lack of access to water and sanitation at home and school impacts negatively on girl children. They have to spend time collecting water or finding a safe place to relief themselves in the open,” Majodina said.

If there is no water and sanitation facilities, the Minister said, women dignity and self-esteem are affected.
PHOTOS | DWS Women in Leadership Dialogue

The Minister also noted that women are vulnerable to harassment and violence when they have to travel long distances to fetch water, use shared toilets or relieve themselves in unsafe places.

She stressed the importance of leaders in the water and sanitation sector understanding the negative impact of lack of water and sanitation, so that they are well-positioned to make a difference.

“Let our programmes and practices be inspired by the values and vision of a truly equal and non-sexist society. Let us ensure that a gender perspective permeates all decision-making processes and programmes of the department,” Majodina said.

She further called on the Director-General and senior leadership of the department to ensure that the department and its entities create a conducive environment for women employees to work and thrive.

“[Senior leadership] carries a responsibility to ensure that the department becomes a safe space for women, where their rights are promoted and protected,” the Minister said.