Rural people face many transport problems

Production, trade and daily life require the movement of goods and people. Most women and men in rural areas have few transport alternatives to walking and carrying loads on their heads or backs. Rural people, particularly women, often walk long distances each day carrying heavy loads, such as water, firewood, grains, agricultural produce and goods for marketing. Investment in large-scale transport infrastructure has had little impact on family and village-level transportation problems.  
Photo right: Man carrying forage in Pakistan



Many studies have shown how much time and effort are invested in basic transport, particularly by women. In sub-Saharan Africa, it has been estimated that women account for 70% of the time spent on transport and nearly 85% of the effort. For example:

• In Chipinge, Zimbabwe, women's annual water collection was equivalent to a 2260 kilometre walk with a load of 20 kilograms. 

• In Makete, Tanzania, women spent over four hours per day on transport tasks. 

• In Beira, Mozambique, women spent 3.6 hours per day transporting water and firewood.
  
  
  Woman in Ethiopia carrying cooking lids to market