International Women’s Day Event: “Water and Women”

Report and Recommendations

On 8 March 2018, Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) hosted a panel discussion and community dialogue to explore the relationship between gender and water in the context of Cape Town’s water crisis.

The focus was placed on the gendered burden of care, specifically in relation to access to water, including the potential impact of “Day Zero” on women and children. The event was a collaborative effort between Sonke’s Community Education and Mobilisation (CEM) Unit and Policy Development and Advocacy (PDA) Unit, as well as various communities with which Sonke works. Consequently there was a beneficial balance between policy and legislative analysis, as well as grassroots community interaction and engagement. The event was also advertised to various media outlets and other civil society organizations. Approximately 80 people attended the event.

The choice of date was deliberate, as 8 March is International Women’s Day. Therefore the opportunity was afforded to both celebrate the women in our country, while at the same time examine the challenges that they experience.

This document serves as a summary report of the presentations given and discussions held during the event. It concludes with several recommendations targeted at the City of Cape Town, which may potentially alleviate some of the challenges that women face in relation to access to water.

Read more about the event here.