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Summary:
A new study by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) reveals that women in districts with high heat vulnerability in India are disproportionately affected by rising temperatures. The study, conducted across seven states, found that women, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, experience a range of physical and mental health issues, economic losses, and increased violence during peak heat months. The research highlights the urgent need for gender-specific climate policies and health preparedness strategies to address the unique challenges faced by women in these vulnerable areas.
News Article:
Extreme Heat Takes a Heavy Toll on Women in India: Study Reveals Gendered Impact
New Delhi, December 6, 2025 – A groundbreaking study released today highlights the severe impact of extreme heat on women residing in districts with high heat vulnerability in India. The study, conducted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), found that women in these regions experience a range of physical, mental, and financial hardships exacerbated by rising temperatures.
The research, conducted across seven states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, revealed that 70% of women surveyed reported symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and dehydration during peak heat months. The study also found a strong correlation between extreme heat and reproductive and menstrual health issues, with many women reporting urinary tract infections and irregular cycles but failing to seek treatment.
Women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, rural areas, and those engaged in informal labor reported the most significant impacts. Nearly all respondents (97%) reported wage losses exceeding ₹1,500 during the summer months. Furthermore, the study uncovered profound psychosocial effects, including heightened anxiety, irritability, and increased instances of domestic violence.
“Gender-specific research on heat stress remains sparse, and women’s experiences are often missing from climate policies and health preparedness strategies,” said MSSRF chairperson Soumya Swaminathan, who participated in the study. “This report sheds critical light on how extreme heat affects women’s physical and mental health, their productivity and livelihoods, and their ability to access healthcare.”
Researchers overlaid secondary National Family Health Survey data with heat maps from the Indian Meteorological Department to identify vulnerable districts. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, including gender-sensitive climate policies, improved access to healthcare, and labor protections that ensure women have access to water, sanitation, and medical care during extreme heat events.
MSSRF plans to conduct further research next year to deepen understanding of the gendered impact of heat and inform government strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations.
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