As deadly heatwaves continue to impact India, China, the US, and Europe amid the climate crisis, recent research has revealed a significant rise in domestic violence against women associated with rising temperatures, The Guardian reports.
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates that a 1-degree Celsius increase in average annual temperature leads to over 6.3% more incidents of physical and sexual domestic violence across three South Asian countries.
The study examined data from 194,871 girls and women aged 15-49 in India, Pakistan, and Nepal between 2010 and 2018. It compared their reported experiences of emotional, physical, and sexual violence with temperature fluctuations during the same period. The findings reveal that India, already reporting the highest rates of intimate partner violence among the three countries, experienced the largest increase in abuse. With a 1°C temperature rise, physical violence increased by 8% and sexual violence by 7.3%.
Extreme temperatures and heatwaves are currently affecting countries worldwide. India recently recorded temperatures reaching up to 45°C (113°F), resulting in numerous heat-related deaths. Mediterranean Europe endured a record-breaking April heatwave, Texas faced a third week of deadly heat with temperatures up to 46°C, and China issued warnings for northern cities as temperatures exceeded 40°C.
The study's co-author, Professor Michelle Bell from Yale University, explained that higher temperatures can lead to various factors that contribute to increased violence, including crop failures, infrastructure damage, economic strain, and confinement indoors. These circumstances place families under extreme stress, leading to higher rates of violence.
The research also found that lower-income and rural households experienced the largest increases in violence, although there was a heat-related increase across all income groups.
Indian activist Suniti Gargi states that heatwaves exacerbate economic stress in families, particularly for men who are unable to migrate for work. The resulting anger and feelings of uselessness can lead to domestic violence, affecting both women and children. Similar studies from Madrid and Kenya have shown how heatwaves and severe weather events correlate with increased rates of intimate partner violence and interpersonal conflicts, respectively.
In addition to socioeconomic factors, extreme heat affects the human body and mental well-being. Acute heat exposure can increase aggression and activate brain areas associated with emotion regulation. Heatwaves also worsen the effects of mental illnesses like anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
While heat-related deaths during heatwaves are often counted, the hidden toll of increased domestic violence against women due to rising temperatures remains unaccounted for. The true public health impact of climate change is likely underestimated, with various lesser-known health risks contributing to the overall impact.
Organizations working to support domestic violence victims have observed the climate crisis exacerbating existing gender inequalities and power dynamics. The frustration resulting from extreme heat and erratic weather conditions worsens economic hardships for families, intensifying traditional situations where domestic violence is considered the norm.
The study emphasizes the urgent need to address the connections between climate change, rising temperatures, and violence against women. By recognizing the intersectionality of these issues, policymakers and communities can work together to implement effective strategies that protect vulnerable individuals and promote gender equality even in the face of climate-related challenges.
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