Women & Children
- The weight of water that women in Asia and Africa carry on their heads is equivalent to the maximum baggage weight allowed by airlines 20kg (44 lbs) (WHRNET)
- Medical research has documented cases of permanent damage for women’s health as a result of carrying water, such as chronic fatigue, spinal and pelvic deformities, and effects on reproductive health including spontaneous abortion. (UNHABITAT)
- Enrollment rates for girls have been shown to improve by over 15% when provided with clean water and toilet facility, because girls no longer have to walk miles every day to fetch water. (UN)
- Lack of access to sanitation for girls once reaching puberty becomes a central cultural and human health issue, contributing to female illiteracy and low levels of education, in turn contributing to a cycle of poor health for pregnant women and their children. (UN)
- The average distance a woman walks in Africa walks to collect water is 6 km (3.75 mi), greatly reducing the time they have for other productive work or for girls to attend school. (WHRNET)
- In some parts of Africa, women expend as much as 85% of their daily energy intake on getting water, increasing incidences of anemia and other health problems. (UNHABITAT)
- Women are the primary caretakers for those who fall ill from water-related diseases, reducing their time available for education and productive economic efforts. (UNFPA)
- Women and children bear the burdens disproportionately, often spending six hours or more each day fetching water for their families and communities. (UN)