Securing Women's Health during Cholera Outbreaks: A Revised Framework for Humanitarian Assistance and Government Accountability

Background

Between November 2008 and February 2009, 78,882 cases of cholera emerged in Zimbabwe and South Africa, claiming 3,712 lives. In one city, women constituted 66% of the cases. Women's dependence on water for household purposes places them at heightened risk of exposure, and to other negative health outcomes (e.g., sexual assault/ abduction owing to travel for clean water). Also, 80% of Zimbabweans fleeing South Africa were ineligible for refugee status. This project assessed the laws and policies to develop a framework for humanitarian assistance and government accountability.

Methodology

We examined laws and policies to ascertain (1) the accountability of (i) the Zimbabwean government for its neglect of women, and (ii) the South African government for denying Zimbabweans refugee status; and (2) institutional safeguards to prevent future incidents.

Results

Violation of rights to life and health were accompanied by: (1) the Zimbabwean government's potential violation of the Women's Convention (CEDAW); (2) the South African government's misinterpretation of its obligations concerning refugees, and (3) failure to explore other institutional safeguards.

Recommendations

Universal ratification of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW would allow for (1) the issuance of interim measures to remedy individual violations, or (2) investigation of systemic violations by empowering the CEDAW Committee to conduct territorial visits, and require governments to account for progress within six months.

Lessons Learned

By the end of the session, participants will be able to (1) define governmental obligations to protect vulnerable populations during an epidemic, and (2) identify institutional safeguards that may temper disease spread.