In rural areas of Maharashtra, India, thousands of women sugarcane workers are reportedly undergoing hysterectomies, surgeries to remove the uterus, even before the age of 30 to avoid losing money during their menstrual periods.
The problem occurs within the “jodi” system, where families work together in long agricultural shifts. According to reports, if a woman misses work because of menstrual pain or problems related to her cycle, they can be fined or lose a large part of their daily income.
Because of this, many end up resorting to permanent operations to avoid bleeding or work stoppages that affect their families’ livelihood.
The case has sparked international outrage and reopened the debate about the extreme working conditions that many women still face.
