What to know

• A study of over 1,050 women across seven Indian states found that 72% in drought-prone areas reported increased intimate partner violence during hot summer months, linking heatwaves to domestic violence.
• Heat action plans drafted by cities and countries rarely account for this gendered vulnerability, despite evidence that climate impacts disproportionately affect women due to social roles, limited land ownership, and restricted mobility.
• Researchers argue gender vulnerability has been overlooked in climate policy discussions that typically focus on geographical and socio-economic factors, and are calling for gender to be positioned as central to climate vulnerability assessments.

“Women in drought-prone areas are at a higher risk of intimate partner violence during the hot summer months, but heat action plans being drafted by cities and countries rarely account for this public health issue.”

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Dr. Soumya Swaminathan Chair of MS Swaminathan Research FoundationDr. Mohan Kumar Director of Health and Nutrition, MSSRFMS Swaminathan Research Foundation Research institutionDr. Israel Oliver King Head of biodiversity programme at MSSRF