South Africa: Women's Day and yet millions are without water and sanitation

southern africa | gender | non-anarchist press Friday August 08, 2008 14:48 by Coalition Against Water Privatisation - CAWP

Johannesburg - Many Women in the world have paid with their lives in fighting for a better world, free from all forms of oppression. The 9th of August is a very special and important day in the history of South Africa and the world, on this day South African women took to the street fighting against apartheid pass laws. While celebrating we need not to forget that the struggle is not yet over.

According to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) national strategic frame work of 2003(water and sanitation), water is life and sanitation is dignity. However many poor South African women don't have hope in this paper. Their dignity is taken away day in and day out and life made miserable intentionally. Women's day to women from places like Kwa-Masiza Hostel in Sebokeng, Kliptown, Gugulethu and many other places similar will be celebrated differently. On this day all these poor women will be traveling long distances with their babies on their backs, 25 liter buckets on the head in search for water. Despite the promises of better life for all by the so called new and democratic South Africa, many women are still oppressed.

The Coalition Against Water Privatisation will be attending an event in Sebokeng, Zone 3 organized by Remmoho Women Forum (RWF) on the 9th of August 2008. The theme of the event will be Women and Domestic violence, CAWP believe and understands that there are many factors contributing to women abuse and delivery of essential services like water is one. It is very important as we celebrate this women's month we also remember all those women who are suffering in rural areas, informal settlements and hostels like Kwa-Masiza.

This statement is in memory of the late comrade Lindiwe Mazibuko; she stood strong and fought against the installation of pre-paid water meters in Phiri, Soweto.Lindiwe passed on after the Johannesburg High Court declared pre-paid water meters both illegal and unconstitutional.

For information please Contact-Patrick "Patra" Sindane
CAWP-Organizer @ 073 052 7005