We have all seen photos of women and children carrying containers of water on their head but how often do we stop to consider a basic fact about the mechanics involved?
Water is HEAVY
1 gallon of water = 8 lbs. (actually 8.33 lbs)
Many women and children in Africa carry up to 5 gallons of water
Daily
On their heads
For miles
Twice or more a day
Women and children who carry heavy containers of water daily suffer from neck and back pain and are prone to degenerative skeletal disorders.
Fill a container with water and see how far you can carry it - not on your head - just carry it at all.
It's heavy and it's hard.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/Feb05.pdf
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/9/1/52
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