Introduction

In Madagascar, water is often the subject of discussion, yet it remains tragically inaccessible for millions of people living in rural areas. In regions like the South, residents walk long distances to fetch a basin of often murky water, while in other areas, wells are either dry or contaminated. Yet the right to safe drinking water is a fundamental right enshrined in both national legislation and international commitments. So why, in a country rich in natural resources, does access to clean water remain a privilege for so many rural communities? Beneath the visible drought lies a deeper thirst that for social justice and equal rights.

The Reality of Water Access in Rural Areas: Between Survival and Exclusion

In the South, particularly in the Androy and Anosy regions, families rely on unhealthy ponds or must transport water over long distances, often by donkey. Recurring droughts, worsened by climate change, make this situation even more critical. But the crisis is not limited to the South: in the Highlands and the East, water infrastructure is often outdated, inadequate, or nonexistent. The burden of fetching water, usually placed on children, disrupts their schooling. This lack of access is not solely due to natural constraints but also to the unequal distribution of resources and public investments, which frequently favour urban areas.

Violated Rights, Endangered Lives

The lack of clean drinking water has severe consequences on people’s health and dignity. Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and bilharzia disproportionately affect children. Women, who bear the main responsibility for water collection, endure significant physical and mental strain. Yet the right to water is rarely claimed, due to the absence of dialogue platforms, accessible legal remedies, and strong political will. Drilling and water supply projects do exist, but they often suffer from poor management, local corruption, or insufficient oversight. Thus, water is a vital common good that exposes a deep structural and social imbalance.

Conclusion

Guaranteeing the right to water for all Malagasy people, particularly in rural areas, requires a comprehensive and inclusive approach: clear identification of needs, transparent funding, active community participation, and accountability of local authorities. Water must no longer be a scarce resource reserved for the privileged few, but a tool for equity, health, and development. A society cannot move forward while its villages remain thirsty and its citizens deprived of this essential good. In Madagascar, the fight for water is, above all, a fight for social justice.

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