Country women, Sichuan 四川的農村婦女
Today, as in the past, country women continue to labour long hours on rice terraces or carrying heavy loads on shoulder poles at the town's construction sites. One-child families are encouraged in the world's most populous nation, although this official stance is sometimes softened in country areas. 'Because our families are small, children are precious to us,' say the women who gather in the market street to admire a new baby or to share with friends the location of the day's best bargains.