Women and water

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Privatization of water:
The question of whether water is a human right or a commodity, and the implications of those interpretations, is addressed in the research theme of Privatization. This research area addresses the rise of private sector involvement in the water supply networks, and the more business-oriented values that the sector brings with it. What do these shifts mean for women? As primary caretakers, most often responsible for the health of their families, as well as their personal health, women are likely to be affected significantly by these trends.

The Significance of Privatization and Commercialization Trends for Women’s Health, a project in partnership with the Council of Canadians, supported by the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence and Women and Health Care Reform, looks at the push to privatize water in Canada. It examines larger philosophical questions such as whether water should be privatized at all, and more practical issues such as water management models, privatization experiences and threats in Canada. The project also looks at what privatization may mean for women’s health, particularly Aboriginal women’s health.

Signy Gerrard is the Director of Communications at the Canadian Women’s Health Network.

Visit the website:
www.womenandwater.ca

Read the reports:
Privatization of water:
www.womenandwater.ca/pdf/NNEWH%20water%20privatization.pdf

Contaminants in water:
www.womenandwater.ca/pdf/NNEWH%20water%20contaminants.pdf 

Aboriginal water issues:
www.womenandwater.ca/pdf/NNEWH%20water%20contaminants.pdf