The story of unsung chili women.

This striking image of red chilies may appear beautiful at first glance, but it tells a deeper, more complex story. In Bangladesh, the chili-drying process is a vast, labor-intensive tradition rooted in the char lands along the Jamuna River, particularly in Sariakandi Upazila of Bogura.

Under the open sun, more than a hundred women work for different factories, earning barely minimum wages. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., six days a week, they endure intense heat for as little as three dollars.This vital seasonal industry, active from November to March, depends entirely on meticulous manual labor—sorting, cleaning, and sun-drying the chilies. Behind these vivid red landscapes lies a powerful narrative of endurance and resilience, revealing the often unseen contribution of older women who sustain this fragile rural economy.
Bangladesh.