India’s heatwaves expose the gendered harms of the climate crisis

AI Summary

Heatwaves in India exacerbate gender inequalities in the climate crisis, disproportionately affecting women who are forced to work in harsh conditions with higher risk of heat-related illnesses. This highlights the urgent need for gender-sensitive mitigation policies.

Flashbacks of summers spent in the stifling heat of India, watching the women of my household (IS) toiling over open flames in a poorly ventilated kitchen, are strong. They would be drenched in sweat, cooking in the midday heat, dressed modestly from head to toe. In stark contrast, the men of the house could be found lounging under the fan in their tank tops, lungis, or boxer shorts.The climate crisis amplifies existing gender inequalities. In India, where temperatures regularly climb to 105°F (40-41°C) between March and June, gender norms determine who can cool themselves, who works in the hottest environments, and who bears the greatest burden of heat related illness.1 If we fail to recognise this, action plans for mitigating heat will protect only half the population.During the hottest months of the year, my mother-in-law (CRK) always remained fully covered, even while sleeping, because that was considered modest in a...