1.4 Use of the study
This study can serve to inform policy makers on the strengths and weaknesses of the current policy with regards to improving the lives of the poor and women.
It helps to identify possible gaps where the poor and particularly women have been left out in the water sector. It also serves to clarify conflicting interests and
roles in the water sector. To the public and private sector it contributes to information on the possibility of reaching the MDGs of water, poverty reduction
and women participation with the current water policy. The study also intends to add to the existing knowledge on the current trends and changes in management
of water resources.
1.5 Scope
SADC protocol on shared water courses; global trend of water reforms; among other reasons gave birth to new water policy in Zimbabwe. These policy
reforms have impacts on a number of elements of development. The research will focus on reticulation and usage policy embedded in ZINWA Act and Water Act
of 1998. This research will focus on the national level. Focus will be limited to those elements that are to do with usage and reticulation of water. A variety of
methods are available for policy analysis, this thesis will focus on interests and descriptive analysis of the impact on poverty reduction and women roles. Impact
on industry and large estates will not be part of the research.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Water and Poverty
Water shortage, poor water quality, or unreliable supply has profound effects on people‟s well-being. Improved access to safe and affordable water
supply and sanitation is an essential component to strengthen the international commitment to meet the international poverty elimination targets DFID, 2000;
White Paper on International Development; UNDP, 2010. Lack of water is a determinant of poverty. The fulfilment of poor people‟s
water-related needs is fundamental to the elimination of poverty DFID, 2000; Francis et al. 2001. At household level water is essential for a number of
activities ranging from kitchen to bathing as well as small scale income generation. Water delivered to fulfil basic needs for drinking, cooking, hygiene
and production of subsistence food should be a priority, affordable to households with the lowest income levels, many of which are female headed. In order to
eradicate poverty, improvement in provision of water required. Water‟s main contribution to economic wellbeing is through its use for
agriculture in order to improve food security. There is a positive, albeit complex, link between water services for irrigation and other farm use, poverty alleviation
and food security. Access to water for agriculture can boost the yield of the main wet-season crop; secure extra dry-season crops, and enable the timing of
production to match market demands. For example, a study in West Bengal villages in India found that employment in irrigated areas was almost constant
throughout the year w ith no „dead‟ season, but in non-irrigated areas there were
two severe gaps each year with almost no work DFID, 2000. Water also has important economic benefits through industrial use, power
generation and transport at national level. These benefits can have a profound impact on economic opportunities for poor people, and, hence, the elimination of
poverty. Water is a consumption need which is paid for with revenue gained from
economic activities or in time spent collecting it. In combination with other assets it can produce income Clarke, 1998. Increased scarcity of water through
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