Carrying Quote by Steven Solomon
““A family of four needs to transport around 200 pounds of water each and every day to meet its most minimal drinking, cooking, and cleaning needs. To manage such an impossible weight, two trips to the well each day by mother and children are not uncommon. Carrying water for basic subsistence devours school time for children and places a dispiriting burden on the enterprising will of parents to struggle out of their material privation. That the water carrying falls traditionally on women adds the insult of gender inequity to the tragedy.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Water Carrying Burden, 2018, Steven Solomon
Carrying water imposes heavy physical and time burdens, especially on women and children, limiting education and perpetuating gender inequality.
In simple terms: Water transport is heavy work, mostly done by women, harming education and equality.
Key Takeaway
Reduce water‑carrying burdens to improve education and gender equity.
Themes
gender inequality
resource scarcity
education
poverty
labor
Mood
urgent
empathetic
Type
advocacy
analytical
When to use this quote
- rural households
- development projects
- policy planning
Key Concepts
water access
rural development
gender equity
child labor
Questions to Reflect On
- How can technology reduce water‑carrying labor?
- What policies can support gender‑equitable water access?
A Different Perspective
May not address all causes of water scarcity.
