Wheelbarrows and donkeys for women in Makete, Tanzania

The Makete Integrated Rural Transport Project operated for many years in a remote, hilly area in south-west Tanzania. Women carried out most transport tasks by head-loading. The Project suggested that wheelbarrows and pack donkeys might be suitable intermediate means of transport. However, the wooden wheelbarrows introduced were heavy, awkward and expensive. Some men used wheelbarrows for construction work. Women considered them heavy and unsuitable, particularly on the steep paths. The local women pointed out to Project staff that two hands are needed at all times when pushing wheelbarrows, and this is a disadvantage when walking with small children. The wheelbarrows were never widely adopted. The acceptance by men and women (but mainly men) of donkeys appeared higher, but adoption was slow. Pack donkeys were useful for men who transported potatoes from field to village and from village to market. Some families used donkeys for water collection and one woman used donkeys in a beer brewing business. Despite much detailed transport research in Makete in Tanzania, most transport is still carried out by women by head-loading.
Photo: Woman with a pack donkey in Kenya. The donkey provides transport for domestic use (especially the collection of water) and for trading (selling charcoal).