By Kudzai Tamary Chikiwa
“Mvura yadzoka!”
The women’s shrieks of excitement filled the air as they witnessed the miraculous return of tap water in Zvishavane’s Noelvale suburb, which had gone without this precious resource for months. The Shona phrase “Mvura yadzoka,” meaning “tap water has been connected,” has become a rallying cry for urban dwellers in Zimbabwe.
While water is considered a basic need, in most of Zvishavane’s suburbs, it has become a privilege, with the majority going without it for months. The unbridled joy sparked among women by the restoration of tap water testifies to the disproportionate burden of the water crisis on females.
“Having dry taps has become the norm for us,” said Monica Tsumba, a resident. “We had grown accustomed to visiting Shabanie Primary School to ask for water, but due to security concerns, we couldn’t go just anytime or fetch as much as we wanted.”
Tsumba, a member of the low-income community, could neither afford to buy water nor install a Jojo tank at her rented home. “Those with money would order water and have it delivered, while others drilled boreholes. But for us, we had to bear the brunt of perennial water shortages,” she said.
Tsumba’s story mirrors the struggles of low-income families during crises. While the affluent can find alternative solutions, the less privileged are left to endure the hardship.
In Zvishavane’s suburbs, the disparity is evident. Some houses have borehole water and Jojo tanks, while others rely on council water. Residents reported that the water crisis had persisted for months before the recent restoration.
According to Matipa Chauke, a female resident,
“From May to December last year, we struggled to get water. But in December, we started noticing some improvement, and now we get water supply up to four days a week. It’s a miracle.”
During the months of dry taps, women suffer financially.
“We rent out rooms to students, but they started leaving due to the water shortage. They opted for homes with alternative water supplies, leaving us with reduced income,” Chauke said.
The water crisis also compromised women’s and girls’ security. “We would queue for water at the local school, waiting until dark. Our young girls were no longer safe, as some men take advantage of such situations,” Chauke added.
Women expressed gratitude that the council is pumping water, hoping this will improve their livelihoods. However, water scarcity remains a national concern, disproportionately affecting women.
A study by Geere and Cortobius (2017) found that women and girls are responsible for over 70% of water collection. In Zimbabwe, lack of access to water affects women’s health, makes them vulnerable to gender-based violence, and limits economic opportunities.
“The water crisis affected our cooking business,” said a woman who preferred anonymity. “For a hygienic cooking space, you need plenty of water. Our customers feared waterborne diseases, and we lost business.”
Women also struggle to balance business and domestic responsibilities due to water scarcity. “You can’t spend the day selling tomatoes while knowing there’s no water at home. As breadwinners, it’s challenging,” another woman said.
Insufficient water access also affects menstrual hygiene. “Women struggle to practice proper menstrual hygiene, exposing them to infections. Some girls miss school due to this factor,” said Yanano Moyo, a women’s rights advocate.
A council official, who preferred anonymity, acknowledged the challenges. “We’re working tirelessly to restore water supply. However, power cuts and vandalism of water pipes hinder our efforts.”
Under Section 77 of Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution, every person has the right to safe, clean and potable water.