Today, October 15th, is International Day of Rural Women. On this occasion, You! highlights some of the struggles and challenges which rural women encounter in their daily lives. Read on...
The term ‘rural women’ has fascinated me since childhood. I remember watching old movies where the heroine would emerge from yellow mustard fields, or from behind sugarcane stalks, her face peeking through the long wheat buds. I enjoyed the songs filmed in these fields, where women wore lachas adorned with heaps of jewellery, dark makeup, and blood-red lipstick. Their arms, covered with bangles up to their elbows, holding baskets of food and bread on their heads as they walked along wavy paths to feed men working in the fields.
I used to fantasise about these women, with their glamorous makeup and jewellery, working in the fields while singing songs in the vast courtyards of their large, yet humble, mud houses. Oh, what a beautiful and peaceful life it seemed! Over a period of time, this romanticised image shifted. And our Punjabi films began depicting rural women as loud, gun-wielding fighters or warrior women. While this transformation has reflected a change in narratives, the reality is far more complex.
As I grew and stepped into the practical world, I realised that media portrayals of these rural women were just a ‘hoax’, their image was unnecessarily glamorised by these filmmakers. As a human rights activist, I, during my fieldwork, got to meet some real rural women. Contrary to my pre-conceived notions, rural women are simple (devoid of any makeup), kind (not violent) and hard working.
Across Pakistan, 90 per cent of women living in rural areas work as agricultural labourers to make ends meet. Female farm labourers are paid half the wages compared to men, and the minimum wage law does not apply to agricultural workers. Women farm labourers work 10 to 12 hours and earn between 250 to 300 rupees per day. Often, their wages are withheld, and they do not receive timely payments, leading to mental distress and exploitation. Pregnant women are forced to work until their last week, and nursing mothers are compelled to bring their infants to the fields. Farm labourers are not provided with any social security or old-age benefits.
Rural Women’s Day highlights the critical role of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the fight against extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. On this day, as we reflect on their stories, realities, and challenges, we, as urban women, are compelled to think about how we can assist in empowering them. While we enjoy every aspect of our lives in cities, with access to basic facilities, they face severe shortages and struggle for these necessities. Their pursuit of education is often hindered, and with every climate hazard that strikes, they rise to face the challenges from scratch.
On the occasion of International Day of Rural Women, You! highlights some of the struggles and challenges of these rural women which they encounter in their daily lives. Read on...
Halima Bibi from Johi, Dadu district, a mother of five children, doesn’t know what luxury is all about. She is used to working with her husband under the scorching sun in fields for hours. Sometimes temperatures in Dadu reach 52°C. Can you imagine 52°C? While urban women sit comfortably in offices or homes, avoiding heat, and our rulers bask in luxury, rural women like Halima toil under the sun with limited access to basic necessities like electricity and gas.
The 2022 flood destroyed their crop and home, forcing them into shelters. After the floodwaters receded, they returned and started rebuilding their lives. “Before the flood we were living decently and my children used to go to school, but not any longer. If we got timely aid or support from the government, we would be able to send our children back to school. Today, we are only thinking about our survival,” says a heart broken Halima. “Why can’t the government introduce any schemes for agricultural women?” she asks.
Halima Bibi is just one example. During my travels with my team in interior Sindh, we encountered a group of women working barefoot in the scorching fields, their long dupattas draped over their heads. It is important to note that these dupattas are not a sign of cultural identity in fact they serve as protection against the relentless sun. Not only that, these poor women are also exposed to insect bites and other security risks.
Sahjan Bai, an elderly Hindu woman, mother of 10 children, lives in the village of Tooh Maar, Ghotki district. Her husband is a labourer, and they own some livestock - a cow and a few goats - whose milk they sell for bread and butter. Together with her family, Sahjan built their house, but due to financial constraints, it is still incomplete. “It’s an ordeal walking long distances to graze the animals and collect firewood just to make a simple meal,” shares Sahjan. “We barely meet our basic needs. Most of the time, my children and I walk barefoot as we never get enough money to buy shoes.”
When my team and I visited her, the scene was heart-breaking. Empty walls without doors, no washroom, and a makeshift kitchen set up in the open under the blazing sun. Her children stood beside her, their bare feet sinking into the hot earth where we couldn’t bear to stand without shade.
No healthy food or basic provisions for rural women …
When I visited some villages in rural Sindh, I was astonished to know that eating healthy food and fruits were out of their reach. “We grow healthy crops, yet it’s ironic that we can’t afford the healthy food we produce. Fruits like mangoes, which are grown on our land, are out of our reach,” laments Sakina Bibi, one of the villagers.
“Qadir Gas Field is near our village but there is no gas in our village. We have to light wood to cook our food. The worst part is that we are exposed to the harmful effects of the gas extraction, affecting our health and skin. My question to the authorities is, why didn’t they consult with the community before setting up this gas field? Why didn’t they provide us with any facilities to offset the damage?” voices Zaitoon Khatoon, one of the villagers.
Sadly, there are no nearby health facilities for villagers to receive even basic first aid.
Access to health facilities for rural women is extremely challenging. In Pangrio, Badin district, there is stagnant water visible everywhere. “We hardly get clean drinking water and we are forced to drink contaminated water causing diseases and illnesses like diarrhoea,” comments a local resident.
“My two-year-old daughter passed away recently as there was no clinic in my vicinity,” tells Lal Khatoon, a resident of Jara Bheel village. “When we (villagers) manage to reach to any clinic or dispensary, the doctors are often unavailable to treat the patients,” she laments.
“What we see in movies is an inaccurate portrayal of rural women,” elucidates Naseem Bibi, who is quite vocal in expressing her anger towards filmmakers and drama producers for showing a dolled-up image of rural women. “Why don’t they show the real struggles we face? Tell me, who in this heat would wear layers of makeup and heavy jewellery to work in the fields? We don’t even have enough clothes to wear, and we patch our torn ones because we can’t afford new ones. Our shoes break, and we don’t have the money to buy replacements. And we can only dream of wearing makeup. There is no space of such luxuries in our lives,” says Naseem in a sad tone.
“The one who brings bread home after walking miles in the heat would never look like those women on TV. The heat from the stove leaves us breathless, our kidneys feel like they are about to give out. It is so unfortunate that there are no welfare programmes for rural women,” adds Naseem.
Empowering rural women…
Fortunately, Sindh is the only province in Pakistan where, in 2019, the Women Agriculture Rights Act was passed to protect the rights of women farm labourers. This law was highly praised by social and human rights organisations worldwide, but sadly, its implementation is yet to begin.
Mr Anwar Ali Mahar, CEO of Nari Foundation Sukkur, is enthusiastically contributing toward the empowerment of rural women. “Rural women in Pakistan are often overlooked; they face significant challenges such as lower wages, malnutrition, discrimination, and exploitation due to patriarchal norms,” observes Mr Mahar, who has initiated a movement advocating for the rights of women farm labourers. The movement focuses on ensuring that these women receive equal pay to their male counterparts, as stipulated by law, and encourages them to access government-backed social security and protection schemes designed to uplift their socio-economic standing.
According to Mr Mahar, the Women Agriculture Rights Act can do wonders for rural women once it is implemented.
Life of a rural woman is a continuous struggle. The socio-economic conditions present significant challenges, but there are steps that could uplift their lives. If the government could introduce schemes to provide affordable housing, access to clean water, and renewable energy like solar power for cooking and lighting, it would significantly ease their burden. Additionally, small loans or grants for women like Sahjan to expand their livestock or start micro-businesses could provide a stable income. Establishing healthcare facilities within their vicinity and offering vocational training could not only improve their quality of life but also empower them to break the cycle of poverty.
These women work tirelessly, yet they are the forgotten backbone of the country’s agricultural system. To uplift their lives, the government should implement accessible healthcare services in rural areas, provide affordable renewable energy solutions, and introduce programmes to improve agricultural workers’ wages. Providing subsidies for food and clothing, along with proper training in safe agricultural practices, would not only ease their burden but also empower them to rise above their current struggles.
The writer is a development professional. She can be reached at quratmudasar@gmail.com
