What would drive women to abort foetuses and choose a life without children?
In a village in Kerala where cashew nuts grow and are treated with endosulphan pesticides, women have chosen these drastic self imposed measures to prevent serious birth defects in children born as the surrounding soil and water became contaminated. Since no support exists for the children and their families the women could not face the burden of giving birth to a child with serious birth defects and one that would remain dependent on them for life. Of course, no one wants to marry women who refuse to have children but the women have no choice but to refuse.
However, the Indian Supreme Court has now declared a temporary ban on endosulphans while an examination and consultation is carried out on the effects of the pesticide. It has taken the farmers years to get to this stage, endosulphans have been used in the area since the 1960s, but this is a positive step against a huge chemicals industry.
This is a pretty strong case for organic farming methods but that’s easy to say when we are so disconnected from village farmers and food supplies from other countries and also when we’re not dependent on our local environment to make a living. Britain is a recipient of Indian cashews do protest with our pounds to help the farmers make a change? Would it even make a difference?
Bubbly
The Chatterjis Blog 