The pain of the rice fields in Pakistan

Child labor and poverty are common among those who produce the food we eat.

Pakistan is one of the world's largest rice producers. It is also a country where women play an increasingly important role in the food industry. In Pakistan, women carry a heavier workload than men. They work both in the rice fields and are responsible for household chores. Yet they are rarely involved in decisions that affect their lives and work.

Life in the rice fields is hard. Exposure to fertilizers and pesticides, combined with long hours in the hot sun, make these women producers vulnerable to respiratory diseases, eye infections and mental exhaustion.

School costs in the country are high, making it difficult for poor families to afford education for their children. Children are often forced to work in the rice fields with their parents to put food on the table.

Child labor and painfully long days
Shamshad Bibi is one of many women farmers in Pakistan who suffer physical pain because of their work. A typical day for her starts with housework at six o'clock. After that, she works in the rice field until the evening.

"The long days make me exhausted and my neck and back hurt. My eyes are strained and I feel sick, but I have to do it so my family can eat"

Shamshad, rice farmer in Pakistan

Another person affected by the harsh working conditions is Shehnaz Bibi, a mother of seven who faces the difficult task of managing a rice farm while ensuring she has enough food for her family. Renting the land where she grows rice adds to her worries and financial insecurity. Despite working hard, she cannot afford to pay her children's school fees. Because of this, they are likely to follow in their mother's footsteps.

"We have to take our children out of school so they can help us in the field. Otherwise it doesn't make sense"

Shehnaz, rice farmer in Pakistan

Some Swedish food companies are working to combat poverty and poor working conditions in their supply chains. For example, Oxfam is working with Axfood in this area in Pakistan. Click here to read more!