The Harper government's claim that it plans to make maternal health a G8 priority is at odds with its efforts to prevent water from being recognized as a human right in international law and its promotion of water privatization in Canada and around the world. Good health begins with access to clean, safe drinking water and women are disproportionately affected when governments fail to provide adequate water and sanitation services.
A report produced by the National Network on Environments and Women's Health in collaboration with the Council of Canadians and other groups called Women and Water in Canada highlights the impacts of water privatization on women.
It was submitted to the UN's independent expert on water and sanitation, on March 8, International Women's Day as part of a civil society consultation on the role of the private sector in water and sanitation.
Healthy mothers come from healthy communities and strong public services are a vital component of healthy communities.
To hear my interview with Anna Maria Tremonti on CBC's The Current, go to: http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2010/201003/20100311.html
Links:
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[2] http://rabble.ca/user
[3] http://rabble.ca/user/register