Impact of Extreme Heat on Women in India

Source-This post on Impact of Extreme Heat on Women in India has been created based on the article “The toll that extreme heat takes on women” published in “The Hindu” on 16 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Disaster and Disaster Management.

Context-The article highlights the disproportionate impact of rising heat wave on women. Women are more adversely affected by extreme heat due to unequal power dynamics, gender norms, and limited access to resources. India ranks 18th from the bottom on the Global Gender Gap Index, highlighting these disparities.

What are the challenges faced by the women in the backdrop of rising heatwaves?

1) Informal Settlements and Housing- Their homes trap heat due to materials like tin and asbestos. They also work in poorly ventilated kitchens, compounding the heat stress they experience.

2)  Time Poverty and Care Burden- Heat stress reduces productivity, forcing women in India to work longer hour an additional 90 minutes of care work daily due to heatwaves, as reported by Arsht-Rock’s ‘Scorching Divide.’ Existing gender disparities mean women spend 2.5 times more time on unpaid work than men.

3)  Lack of Cooling-As per International Labour Organization (‘Work in a Changing Climate’), urban female informal workers, like street vendors and construction workers, endure extreme weather in their jobs. Many lack cooling facilities, making them more vulnerable to heat. Further, water scarcity and power fluctuations worsen their ability to stay hydrated and comfortable.

4) Rural Women and Heat Stress – Cooking with biomass on hot stoves poses health risks, as 56.8% (NFHS-5) of rural Indian families use this method. Women also endure longer working hours due to heat stress, and restrictive gender norms about mobility and clothing make these challenges even worse.

5)  Agricultural and Economic Impacts- Outdoor work, like MGNREGA, exposes women to intense heat. Prolonged heatwaves can reduce crop yields, increasing the risk of hunger and poverty.

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What are the Health Implications of heatwaves for Women?

1) Physiological Vulnerabilities– Women are at greater risk due to their body fat and water content, which impact heat tolerance and hydration. Hormonal changes from menstrual cycles and pregnancy also affect their ability to regulate body temperature.

2) Heat-Related Illnesses- The incidence of heat-related diseases is increasing, including heat cramps, severe heat stroke, and hyperthermia.

3) Maternal and Child Health– There is a higher risk of preterm delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirths. This is specially worrying due to India’s high maternal mortality rates.

What should be the way forward?

A) Climate-friendly urban planning

B) Development of and access to sustainable cooling technologies

C) Fair division of care work

D) Public provisioning of essential services

E) Implement adaptation and resilience strategies that consider gender-specific needs and vulnerabilities.

Question for practice

What challenges do women encounter amid increasing heatwaves? How do heatwaves affect women’s health?