Carrying water and woman's health

In many thousands of villages in India, women have to carry headloads of water, walking across rough and uneven terrain for between 2-4 km. Day after day, month after month, year after year. In some cases, a woman has to carry two to three pots every day for cooking and the minimal washing needs of the household. It is suggested that this has a huge negative impact on their back, spine and knees.

Many women in India suffer from malnutrition and iron deficiency, and the energy consumed in fetching water, particularly during periods of scarcity, is consequential in that it worsens their condition.