EXTREME heat does not only make daily life harder. It poses serious threats to human health, livelihoods and the right to life. The climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is raising temperatures worldwide and making extreme weather events more frequent.
Extreme heat is one of the foremost impacts of the climate crisis in deepening existing inequalities, and it is women and girls who feel those impacts most. Levels of heat exposure are shaped not only by gender but also by factors such as age, socio-economic conditions and geographical location.
Extreme temperatures affect women and girls differently from men and boys. This is the result not of biological differences alone, but of the existing social, economic and structural inequalities that work against women and girls. It is therefore critical that policies for adapting to the climate crisis are designed with a gender-responsive approach.
How does extreme heat affect women’s health?
Certain basic physiological features can make it harder for women to adapt to high temperatures and keep their bodies cool.
n Perspiration and heart capacity: Sweating is the body’s natural way of cooling itself. Research shows, however, that from adolescence onwards women sweat less than men. Women’s hearts, which on average are smaller, may also come under greater strain in conditions of extreme heat.
n Hormones: Women’s menstrual cycles cause natural fluctuations in body temperature. This can make hot weather feel more physically and mentally draining. For women going through the menopause, hot flushes can become far more uncomfortable when combined with high ambient temperatures.
n Age: As we age, the body’s capacity to cool itself declines. Research shows that older women sweat about half as much as older men. Many older women may also have difficulty accessing air conditioning or other cooling systems because of limited economic means. Children, too, depend on the support of others to stay cool, drink enough fluids and have the signs of heatstroke recognised.
n Pregnancy: During pregnancy the body has to work harder to regulate its temperature, which makes pregnant women more vulnerable to heat-related illness and dehydration. Research shows that exposure to extreme heat is associated with increased risks of pre-term birth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies and stillbirth. Pregnancy-related health risks such as hypertension may also rise with heat.
n Chronic health conditions: Extreme heat can aggravate existing health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and cardiovascular disease and can increase the risk of death. Certain conditions such as dementia and anxiety, or the medicines used to treat them, can also make it harder to recognise the signs of heat-related illness.
Extreme heat also has adverse effects on mental health. High temperatures do not only increase feelings of confusion and fatigue. Many people choose to stay indoors to avoid the heat, which can cut them off from the social interaction and support networks they rely on. Research shows that strong community ties, where people check on and support one another regularly, can help reduce both the physical effects of extreme heat and its negative consequences for mental health.
Worldwide, close to half a million people die each year from heat-related health conditions, with marked increases in these deaths during heat waves. A significant share of these deaths can be prevented through greater public awareness, early warning systems and effective response.
Why does extreme heat deepen gender inequality?
When biological differences combine with gender inequalities, poverty and crisis conditions, the effects of extreme heat are felt more heavily by women and girls.
Who is most affected by extreme heat?
Among those most vulnerable to extreme heat are women and girls living in conflict zones, in disaster-affected areas, in rural communities and in informal settlements.
In these living environments there is often no electricity to run fans, refrigerators or air conditioning, or no financial means to access such services. Inadequate housing and a lack of shaded areas, unhealthy working conditions, limited economic opportunities and insufficient infrastructure further increase the risk of adverse impacts. As a result, access to health services, care networks, green spaces and support mechanisms for those subjected to violence can all be restricted.
Source — UNWOMEN
