The challenges of access to drinking water in the Mbanza-Lemba district of Kinshasa
For almost three years, the Mbanza-Lemba district in Kinshasa has faced serious problems of access to drinking water. This precarious situation particularly impacts women and young girls, who have to travel long distances on foot to find water for their families.
The water shortage has dramatic consequences on the daily lives of the inhabitants of Mbanza-Lemba. Women and girls are exposed to the risk of violence, rape and gossip when traveling to find water. Shocking stories of rape and assault have been reported, highlighting the constant danger these women face.
In addition to the risks for their security, this situation also impacts the education of young girls. The long hours spent fetching water often prevent them from getting to school. School hours do not allow girls to arrive late, which deprives them of their right to education.
The water shortage also has consequences on the health of residents. Lack of drinking water is a source of bacterial and viral diseases, such as typhoid, cholera and diarrhea. Women and girls are also more exposed to acute gynecological infections due to unsanitary conditions caused by lack of water.
Despite the multiple harmful consequences of this water shortage, solutions are struggling to materialize. Regideso, the company in charge of water distribution, has set up boreholes in the neighborhood, but only one works and is not enough to meet the needs of the entire population. Frequent power cuts and the age of the installations are obstacles to the production and distribution of sufficient water.
There is an urgent need for action to be taken to resolve this problem. The authorities must mobilize resources to renovate infrastructure and ensure adequate distribution of drinking water in the Mbanza-Lemba district. Alternative solutions, such as the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, could also be considered.
It is essential to guarantee access to drinking water for all residents, particularly women and girls, in order to protect their safety, health and access to education. Water scarcity should not be a daily reality for these populations, and concrete actions must be taken to resolve this pressing problem.