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In recent years, climate records have been consistently shattered, with 2023 marking the warmest year globally. During May-June 2024, temperatures in various parts of India reached unprecedented levels. This trend has significant implications, particularly for women, who are disproportionately affected by extreme heat due to unequal power dynamics, gender norms, and limited access to resources. India’s position at 18th from the bottom in the Global Gender Gap Index underscores these challenges, reflecting a stark reality where a substantial portion of the world’s women face the increasing impacts of extreme heat.

Extreme Heat as a Socio-Economic Challenge not Merely an Environmental Issue, Highlighting Gender Disparities:

• Health Vulnerabilities: Women often have limited access to healthcare, making them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration, and chronic conditions.
  For example: Women walking long distances for water in extreme heat face increased risks of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
• Economic Disparities: Women in low-income households often engage in labour-intensive jobs without adequate protection from extreme heat, leading to reduced productivity and income.
  For example: Female agricultural workers experience reduced daily wages as extreme heat decreases their working hours. According to the ‘Scorching Divide’ report by Arsht-Rock, heatwaves result in productivity losses, leading to an additional 90 minutes of caregiving work per day in India.
• Social Roles and Responsibilities: Cultural expectations place a greater burden on women to perform household chores, often under extreme heat conditions, exacerbating their physical and mental stress.
  For example: Women who spend prolonged hours cooking over open fires in extreme heat endure significant heat-related stress and health challenges. Given that 56.8% of rural Indian households rely on biomass for cooking (NFHS-5), recognizing the scale of this public health risk is imperative.
• Limited Access to Resources: Women typically have less access to resources like clean water, cooling technologies, and heat-resistant infrastructure, increasing their vulnerability during heatwaves.
  For example: Women in urban slums struggle to access communal water taps during heatwaves, leading to conflicts and health risks.
• Gender-Based Violence: Extreme heat can exacerbate gender-based violence, as increased stress and economic pressures can lead to higher incidences of domestic violence.
  For example: There is a rise in domestic violence cases during heat waves as economic strain and heat stress converge.

Multidimensional Effects of Extreme Heat on Women:

Urban Contexts:

• Occupational Hazards: Women working in sectors such as construction, street vending, and domestic work face heightened risks due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat.
  For example: Female construction workers often lack proper protective gear, exposing them to severe heat conditions.
• Housing Conditions: Many women live in poorly ventilated and overcrowded urban slums, where extreme heat can create dangerous living conditions.
  For example: Women living in cramped spaces with tin roofs amplifies the heat experience making living conditions unbearable.
• Access to Services: Urban women often have inadequate access to public cooling spaces and healthcare services tailored to heat-related conditions.
  For example: Women in urban slums lack access to air-conditioned public spaces or community centres to escape the heat.
• Mobility Issues: Extreme heat can limit women’s mobility, affecting their ability to access work, education, and healthcare facilities.
  For example: Women avoid travelling long distances during peak heat hours, impacting their job opportunities and healthcare visits.
• Mental Health: The stress of dealing with extreme heat, compounded by urban challenges, can have severe mental health implications for women.
  For example: Increased temperatures are linked to rising anxiety and depression levels among women in crowded neighbourhoods.

Rural Contexts:

• Agricultural Labour: Women in rural areas predominantly work in agriculture, where extreme heat can lead to decreased productivity and income, and increased health risks.
  For example: Female farm labourers face reduced crop yields and earnings due to prolonged heat waves.
• Water Scarcity: Women are often responsible for water collection, a task made more arduous and dangerous by extreme heat and water shortages.
  For example: Women walk miles in extreme heat to fetch water, impacting their health and well-being.
• Food Security: Extreme heat can damage crops, leading to food insecurity that disproportionately affects women and children.
  For example: Women struggle to feed their families as extreme heat decimates crop production, leading to food shortages.
• Healthcare Access: Rural women often face greater barriers to accessing healthcare, exacerbating the impacts of heat-related illnesses.
  For example: Women in remote areas have limited access to medical facilities, making it difficult to treat heat-related conditions promptly.
• Education Disruptions: Extreme heat can disrupt girls’ education as they are often required to help with additional household responsibilities during heatwaves.
  For example: Girls drop out of school during heat waves to assist with household chores, impacting their educational attainment.

Addressing the impact of extreme heat on women in India requires an integrated approach that considers socio-economic and gender-specific vulnerabilities. Empowering women through improved access to healthcare, economic opportunities, and education is essential. Additionally, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure and community-based adaptation strategies can mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heat. By fostering resilience and promoting gender equity, we can create a more just and sustainable future for all.