NEWS AND COMMENT/OPINION: A report by The Independent newspaper tells me that the city of Beed in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra state in India has long been known as a place where a high percentage of women have hysterectomies. In fact, a 2018 government survey found that 36% of women in that area had decided to have a hysterectomy and there’s good reason for it: global warming.
Global warming means that farming is unviable for eight months of the year in the Beed region. It comes to a complete halt as there is no rain. And it has been decided that this long-standing drought is due to global warming.
Alternative work
Because farming comes to a standstill the local people have to make a living some other way. Women have to work incredibly hard in the sugarcane fields carrying bundles weighing almost 50 kg 100 times a day from the field to a tractor.
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Jayashree Owhal – a harrowing story
Because of this work, women can suffer heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle. And debilitating cramps. For one lady, Jayashree Owhal, it became too much and reluctantly she decided to have a hysterectomy, the removal of her womb to entirely stop her periods. But post-op problems plague her now.
Her gynaecologist in Beed suggested that she stop lifting the heavy bundles in order to stop the menstrual cramps but she couldn’t because it was the only source of income for her family.
She said, “I decided to get the hysterectomy done and get rid of this every month ‘pain and staying'”.
Owhal is one of hundreds of women in the district of Beed who are suffering this problem. They have a choice: to remove their womb and carry on working or suffer the pain and difficulties of a heavy menstrual cycle. But, as mentioned, the operation does not solve their problems (please read on).
Another problem is that sanitary products are hard to come by in the area and so they use unsanitary items such as a cloth used in the sugarcane business which expose them to diseases and illness.
Hard work
The sugarcane work is incredibly arduous by Western standards. It involves 12–16-hour shifts by husband-and-white teams who are hired on an ad hoc basis by local labour contractors. Sometimes they travel 240 miles from their homes to find this work.
Every year 1.5 million workers from Maharashtra state leave their homes to work in the sugarcane fields according to the report.
Owhal and her husband, Asaram, own 4 acres of land in the Beed district but since a severe drought started in 2016 they’ve had no water for drinking or farming.
Owhal said that she, “started bleeding very heavily while carrying the bundles in 2017. Ever since then, every month, my bleeding flow increased. This became a routine.”
She added that she “cramped so severely. But my husband never paid attention to this issue. He said that it’s a woman’s problem.”
Migrant workers
The survey found that 253 out of 423 households in Beed have been forced to migrate to work in the sugarcane fields. They blame global warming and the droughts for crop failures at home on their farms.
High percentage of hysterectomies
Of those households which had migrated to work in the sugarcane industry, 55% of the women had undergone an hysterectomy. Of those women that stayed in Beed (17%) the hysterectomy rate is 20%. Comment: that also seems very high to me but perhaps the same or similar reasons.
Baby killed
Some women undergo the procedure when they are at childbearing age. One lady said that she “delivered my second baby when I was on the sugarcane field”. She said that she was scared to take time off because they suffer penalties for skipping one day’s work which is about ₹500-₹1000.
She went back to work five days after delivering the baby. This woman lost her child because she had to care for her child in the sugarcane fields and a tractor ran over her baby. It’s astonishing. Quite astonishing.
Post-op ill-health and pain
The problem doesn’t end there. After the hysterectomies, the women can suffer further complications and problems. They appear not to be advised about this. Owhal said, “Little did I know back then that, in fact, this was the beginning of [a] health crisis”.
She now suffers from severe back pain and leg discomfort. She relies on daily painkillers to allow her to continue to work (which might cause further health problems in the long-term). Many other women have the same problem. She’s miserable. She said that she would have rather have died during hysterectomy. Another woman under the same circumstances said that “post surgery life is miserable”.
42-year-old Suman Owhal said, “I sweat a lot in the field. My back and legs always hurt. I feel very weak. I feel dizzy while carrying the bundles of cane.”
Mental health and working conditions
Hysterectomies can have an effect on mental health too. Sometimes they feel worthless and isolated. Many have suicidal thoughts. They are forced to live in very poor conditions with no access to clean toilets. They live in temporary sheds made of cloth.
Some take a bath in the middle of the night so nobody can see them. I don’t think I’ll go on because the story is very upsetting. Anybody in the West who thinks they are hard done by and having a hard life should stop complaining. It makes me think of the British people who refuse to work and living in welfare.
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How global warming is affecting India’s farmers generally
Note: this information comes from a general search of the internet by my assistant: Poe. Global warming is having a significant impact on farmers in India, affecting their livelihoods and agricultural productivity in several ways:
- Erratic Monsoon Patterns: India heavily relies on the monsoon season for agriculture, as it provides the majority of rainfall needed for crops. However, global warming has led to unpredictable monsoon patterns, resulting in irregular rainfall distribution. This inconsistency makes it challenging for farmers to plan their planting and irrigation schedules, leading to crop failures and reduced yields.
- Droughts and Water Scarcity: Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have increased the frequency and severity of droughts in many regions of India. Water scarcity poses a significant challenge for farmers, as it limits their ability to irrigate crops adequately. In areas where water resources are already strained, farmers have to rely on groundwater, which is depleting at an unsustainable rate.
- Heat Stress: Increasing temperatures due to global warming expose crops to heat stress, which adversely affects their growth and development. High temperatures can lead to wilting, reduced photosynthesis, and lower crop yields. Crops such as wheat, rice, and maize are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, impacting food security and farmer incomes.
- Pests and Diseases: Global warming alters the geographical distribution and population dynamics of pests and diseases. Warmer temperatures create favorable conditions for the proliferation of pests, such as insects and fungi, leading to increased crop damage. Farmers may face higher pest management costs and may need to adopt pest-resistant crop varieties or increased pesticide use, which can have environmental and health implications.
- Changing Crop Patterns: Some farmers in India have been forced to change their traditional crop patterns due to the changing climate. For instance, in regions experiencing water scarcity, farmers are shifting from water-intensive crops like rice to crops that require less water. These changes may disrupt traditional farming practices and require farmers to adapt to new techniques and crop varieties, which can be challenging.
- Economic Impact: The cumulative effect of these climate-related challenges can result in significant economic losses for farmers. Crop failures, reduced yields, increased input costs, and market uncertainties can lead to financial distress and debt burdens. Many small-scale farmers, who lack access to resources and support, are particularly vulnerable to these impacts.
To address these challenges, the Indian government and various organizations are implementing strategies such as promoting climate-resilient crop varieties, improving water management practices, and providing financial assistance and insurance schemes for farmers. However, the long-term effects of global warming on Indian agriculture require sustained efforts to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
How does inequality between men and women in India affect the lives of women?
This section, as well, has been prepared by my assistant: Poe.
Inequality between men and women in India has wide-ranging effects on the lives of women, impacting various aspects of their well-being and opportunities. Here are some key areas where gender inequality affects women in India:
- Education: Gender inequality often leads to disparities in access to education. In India, girls face barriers such as limited educational facilities, early marriage, societal norms, and economic constraints that hinder their access to quality education. This lack of educational opportunities limits their personal development, economic potential, and ability to participate fully in society.
- Employment and Economic Opportunities: Gender disparities in employment and economic opportunities persist in India. Women often face limited job options, lower wages, and unequal access to resources and entrepreneurial opportunities. Discrimination, societal expectations, and traditional gender roles contribute to these disparities, resulting in lower economic empowerment and financial independence for women.
- Health and Reproductive Rights: Gender inequality affects women’s access to healthcare and reproductive rights. Women may face challenges in accessing reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, maternal healthcare, and safe abortion services. Discrimination and cultural norms can also limit women’s decision-making power regarding their own health and reproductive choices.
- Violence and Safety: Gender-based violence is a significant issue in India. Women face various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry-related violence, and gender-based discrimination. Inequality perpetuates a culture of violence and impunity, making it difficult for women to seek justice and protection. Such violence has severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences, impacting women’s safety, well-being, and overall quality of life.
- Political Representation and Participation: Gender inequality affects women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes. Women in India are often underrepresented in positions of power and leadership. Barriers such as social norms, lack of support networks, and discrimination hinder their political engagement and limit their ability to influence policies that affect their lives.
- Social and Cultural Norms: Patriarchal norms and discriminatory cultural practices reinforce gender inequality in Indian society. These norms perpetuate unequal power dynamics, limiting women’s agency, autonomy, and freedom of choice. Discrimination can be deeply ingrained, affecting various aspects of women’s lives, including marriage, inheritance rights, and social status.
Efforts are being made in India to address gender inequality through legal reforms, awareness campaigns, women empowerment programs, and initiatives promoting gender equality and women’s rights. However, sustained efforts are needed at multiple levels to challenge and change deeply rooted attitudes, beliefs, and practices that perpetuate gender inequality and create a more inclusive and equitable society.
