Real News
Real News
Global News

Photos: In this part of the world, nearly every chile pepper farmer is a woman

Rajeshwari, 44, grades the chiles she has picked in the fields. Her sharp eyes spot the pale white pods in the sea of red: "The ones with the rich red color are the best, but even though the paler ones are of poorer quality, we can still sell these at the market."

Chile peppers are a traditional part of Indian cuisine — and a key crop for women farmers. They say it’s too demanding for men. “In spite of the challenges,” says one, “we’ve found freedom.”

(Image credit: Viraj Nayar for NPR)