31. Meal cooking itself takes from 1 to 2 hours a day on open, low heat stoves. Where wood raises virtually insollible problems as in the Sahel for example, efforts have been made to popularize the use of improved energy-efficient stoves. 32. Most African villages do not have water close to the homes­ teads. The river or well is often located a considerable dis­ tance away. The women would bring on each trip about 20 litres of water which is used to prepare meals and to wash. Several trips are necessary during the day. Table Ix.c.3 Division of labour by sex in Africa (Percentage) Nature of work 1 "'--Percentage of work hours contributed by Forest clearing Ploughing Sowing and planting Weeding and grass cutting Harvesting Bringing in the harvest Storing the harvest Processing foodstuffs Marketing surplus foodstuffs Fetching water and fuels Caring for domestic animals Hunting Caring and feeding the children, the men and the aged f.len 95 70 50 30 40 20 20 10 40 10 50 90 5 Women 5 30 50 70 60 80 80 90 60 90 50 10 95 Source: The African women: Today and tomorrow, (Addis Ababa, ECA) 33. Gathering firewood often raises difficult problems. In Zam­ bia women spend on average one hour a day gathering firewood to cook the family meal. In most countries even more time is spent. 156 E/ECA/CM.9/5 Forest co~pel wood. depletion, as a result of tree clearing and bush fires rural women to walk long distances in order to gather 34. According to some estimates, rural women spend up to sixteen hours of work a day during certain periods of the year, par­ ticularly, during harvest time when they spend long hours in the fields. Table IX.C.3 indicates the division of labour between men and women in rural areas in Africa. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses various challenges faced by rural women in Africa, including the time-consuming tasks of cooking, gathering firewood, and fetching water. These tasks are likely to impact their daily lives and productivity, which may have implications for their economic development and overall well-being. The text also highlights the division of labor between men and women, suggesting that women bear a significant burden of domestic and agricultural work.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Health