SCF has been at the forefront of labor rights advocacy for women cotton pickers, ensuring they are aware of their rights and equipped with the skills to negotiate fair wages and safe working conditions. More than 3,000 women cotton pickers have been trained in labor rights, collective bargaining, and negotiation strategies, empowering them to demand better wages and protections during harvesting seasons. To enhance economic resilience, SCF has expanded this initiative to integrate climate adaptation strategies for these workers, helping them mitigate the impacts of climate change on their livelihoods.

Partnering with Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Limited, SCF launched a project to advance labor rights for women cotton workers while addressing the rising temperatures and environmental challenges in Sindh. Through this initiative, 1,050 women cotton pickers have received training on income generation opportunities, equipping them with alternative skills to ensure financial stability during the off-season and climate-induced disruptions.

SCF firmly believes that leadership development is key to empowering women to advocate for their rights and secure better labor conditions. To strengthen leadership capacity, SCF has trained 60 women cotton pickers who serve as office bearers in the trade unions formed by SCF. These women have undergone intensive training in communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, enabling them to effectively engage with growers, government representatives, and labor departments. They have played a pivotal role in advocating for climate safety measures, occupational health protections, and fair wage policies.

Practical leadership exercises, role-play activities, and mentorship programs have helped build confidence among these women, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead trade unions and negotiate on behalf of their peers. SCF has facilitated multiple meetings between women cotton workers, government officials, and labor department representatives, fostering dialogue that has resulted in concrete commitments to improving social protection measures for agricultural workers. The government and labor department have pledged to integrate health insurance and compensation schemes into labor policies, a significant step toward securing economic and social rights for these women.

SCF's commitment to labor rights has led to the formation of 40 trade unions for women cotton workers; 28 women-led trade unions have been registered with the labor department under the Sindh Industrial Relations Act 2014. These unions have provided legal representation and collective bargaining power to thousands of women, enabling them to negotiate wage increases and safer working conditions. Through sustained advocacy, SCF has facilitated a wage increase from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,000 per day, improving the financial stability of these workers. Additionally, SCF's collaboration with stakeholders has resulted in enhanced occupational safety measures, ensuring that women have access to clean drinking water, first-aid facilities, and protective gear during cotton picking.

SCF has also played a crucial role in pushing for the implementation of the Women Agricultural Workers Act 2020, ensuring that women workers have access to maternity benefits, workplace protections, and social safety nets. In partnership with the Sindh Labor Department, SCF has strengthened enforcement mechanisms, empowering women-led trade unions to hold employers accountable for labor rights violations.

Recognizing the economic vulnerability of senior women cotton workers nearing retirement, SCF has successfully connected 250 women workers to the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), securing financial assistance for them. Additionally, SCF has facilitated the registration of 300 women workers with the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), ensuring they receive pension benefits and long-term financial security.

To enhance awareness of available social protection mechanisms, SCF has conducted 50 community training sessions, reaching 1,500 women workers. These sessions have provided women with crucial knowledge about labor rights, financial management, and legal protections, enabling them to access government welfare programs and advocate for policy changes that benefit agricultural workers.

SCF has recognized the disproportionate impact of climate change on women agricultural workers and has taken proactive steps to integrate climate resilience into its labor rights programs. By establishing climate-aware trade unions, SCF has equipped women with the knowledge and tools to address climate challenges affecting their livelihoods. Twenty women leaders from newly formed trade unions have been trained in leadership and climate justice, enabling them to drive awareness campaigns on climate adaptation and ensure that vulnerable communities are included in policy discussions on environmental sustainability.

SCF has conducted training on sustainable agricultural practices, including food preservation, livestock management, and water conservation techniques. These initiatives have enabled women to adopt climate-resilient strategies, protecting their income and livelihoods from the adverse effects of climate change.

SCF has been actively advocating for the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2017, in the agricultural sector. With rising temperatures reaching 49°C, working conditions have become increasingly hazardous, yet safety regulations remain largely unimplemented. SCF, in collaboration with Feed the Minds, organized a two-day workshop on climate change adaptation and occupational health safety. The workshop, attended by 40 women from 20 villages in Matiari, addressed the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and reinforced labor rights and workplace safety standards.

In 2024, SCF's comprehensive interventions significantly improved labor conditions, secured wage increases, expanded social protection, and strengthened women's leadership in climate justice and labor rights advocacy. By strategically integrating economic empowerment with climate resilience, SCF has laid a strong foundation for long-term stability and self-sufficiency among women cotton workers.

Moving forward, SCF aims to expand its climate-aware trade union network, enhance policy advocacy for labor law enforcement, and strengthen financial literacy and entrepreneurship opportunities for women in agriculture. By continuing to champion the rights of women agricultural workers, SCF remains dedicated to fostering a just, equitable, and climate-resilient future for women in Sindh's labor force.