Women’s participation in water supply and sanitation decision making in informal settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe: a case of Epworth.

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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the participation of women in water supply and sanitation in a peri-urban informal settlement of Epworth in Harare, Zimbabwe. The research included assessment of the state of water supply and sanitation, the extent and challenges of women participation in Epworth. Data was collected by administration of a structured questionnaire to community women from ward 1 and ward 2 using Kobo Toolbox, unstructured interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the common water sources in Epworth are shallow wells and boreholes. However, 40% of the households use more than one water source, showing unreliability of water sources. About 88% of the respondents' uses pour flush toilets connected to septic tanks. Women have been given decision-making posts in the Water Point Committees (WPCs), but their influence remains limited as they are not trained for the posts. Only 28% of the respondents understood the role of women in water supply and sanitation and out of these, 69% view their role as to only fetch and use water for domestic purposes. Women participate in construction and maintenance of water supply and sanitation infrastructure through financial contributions and cooking for male builders, but not as builders. The main challenges to women’s participation in the water supply and sanitation leadership are attributed to low capacity as only 3% of respondents have received training, lack of clear roles in WPCs and low self-confidence. The study’s major conclusion is that women are not capacitated to take up decision-making posts and therefore their needs remain un-addressed as their representation is minimal.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF TD319.R45R652)
Keywords
Water supply, Sanitation, Women in rural development, Informal settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe
Citation
Rombe, B. D. C. (2018). Women’s participation in water supply and sanitation decision making in informal settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe: a case of Epworth. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.