Opinion / Blogs
Human Right to Water and Sanitation 365
10 Dec 2014 at 03:29hrs | Views
Community Water Alliance (CWA) joins the world in commemorating International Human Rights Day under the banner of the Human Right to Water. It is appropriate for this day to run under the 365 theme. Basically every day is a human rights day especially in the water sector.
For Zimbabwe the theme came at a time the new constitution under Section 77a recognize the right to safe, clean and potable water. The situation on the ground for Zimbabwean citizens is however contrary to this constitutional provision. There have been widespread cases of arbitrary water disconnections (using SI164/1913), poor water quality, long distances travelled to access water, serious water cuts, affordability crisis on paying for water, threats of water privatization, very low public expenditure on water, poor access to information on water as well as unacceptable odour, taste and colour of water within major cities in Zimbabwe.
As Community Water Alliance we demand that the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate kick-start process of harmonizing water legislation, policies and regulations with the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The harmonization of laws should be based on human rights principles and their defined standards, with priority given to those most in need.
We demand:
• Harmonization of water legal, policy and regulations framework with the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
• Availability of water that is sufficient and continuous for personal and domestic uses
• Water to be found in the immediate vicinity of households (at the tap).
• Water facilities that is friendly to the disabled, children and elderly.
• Quality water that is safe for human consumption and hygiene purposes.
• Water prices that are affordable (cross subsidization and government subsidies on water).
• Protection of wetlands to ensure that the natural purification process of contaminated water is enhanced.
• Increased public expenditure on water and sanitation.
For more information call Hardlife 0775255458/email;goodlifemudzingwa@gmail.com
Source - Timothy Chitambure
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