Govt, companies challenged to adopt policies that advance female waste pickers

Government and various companies have been challenged to adopt policies that advance female waste pickers business as a way of empowering them.

The call was made by the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights in a statement.

"As the world commemorates the 2022 International Women's Dayunder the theme "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow" Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) urges the local authorities, the government of Zimbabwe and the waste management companies to adopt policies, measures and models that advance the rights of female waste pickers and result in a gender inclusive waste management enterprise in Zimbabwe," MIHR said.

"The United Nations observes that "in urban areas, 40% of the poorest households are headed by women and Climate change may lead to more gender-based violence, an increase in child marriages, and worsening sexual and reproductive health."

MIHR is implementing the Bulawayo Women's Waste Café Project, an initiative that transforms Zimbabwe's waste picking industry to be gender responsive, human rights based, and safe for women and girls.

"The project has established that female waste pickers face numerous human rights violations including physical and sexual abuse from sexual partners and male waste pickers; economic exploitation by waste buyers; unsafe working conditions and exposure to poisonous substances, sharp and dangerous waste, and noxious smells," the MIHR said.

"In quest to access legal justice, female waste pickers also face unfair discrimination and revictimization. Most female waste pickers also have high illiteracy levels and do not have civil documentation (like I.Ds) which further worsens their vulnerability to human rights abuse and violations."

The organisation said in this event of the 2022 International Women's Day commemoration, and in pursuit of gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow, MIHR therefore: Calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to promote decentralized varied waste recycling investments in all major cities in order to provide market for waste pickers," MIHR.

"Urges the government to develop incentives and special measures for waste pickers in order to enhance the protection and promotion of their rights; Encourages Bulawayo City Council and all local authorities in Zimbabwe to review their waste management by-laws and policies to recognize waste picking as a sustainable climate change mitigation strategy and a livelihood enterprise for citizens, mainly women and girls."

 MIHR urged recycling companies to improve their waste buying price models in order to avert perpetuating modern day slavery and to ensure that waste pickers get value for their wares.

"Encourages waste pickers to continue organizing and non-violently engaging all authorities for the protection and promotion of their rights and freedoms.
Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights is empowering Bulawayo female waste pickers with relevant and necessary human rights, gender and digital skills. The organization has assisted the female waste pickers to organize and establish a Bulawayo Female Waste Pickers Association which has so far mobilized and registered over 380 members from across the City," MIHR said.