The toll that extreme heat takes on women

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Context

Unequal Impact of Extreme Heat on Women:

Urban Challenges: Women in informal settlements face higher heat exposure due to poor housing materials and inadequate ventilation.
Time Poverty: Heat stress causes productivity loss, adding 90 minutes of extra care work per day for women in India.
Occupational Vulnerability: Female informal laborers in urban areas are exposed to harsh weather conditions in various work settings.

Health and Physiological Impacts:

Heat-Related Diseases: Women are at greater risk of heat stress due to physiological factors affecting heat tolerance and body temperature regulation.
Maternal and Child Health: Extreme heat increases the risk of preterm delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirths, exacerbating India's high maternal mortality rates.
Care Burden: Women bear a dual burden of being more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and shouldering the majority of care-giving responsibilities.

Rural Women's Experiences:

Biomass Cooking:8% of rural Indian families cook with biomass, exposing women to additional heat and health hazards.
Agricultural Impact: Heat waves affect crop yields, directly impacting poor rural women's food security and livelihoods.
Gender Norms: Restrictive norms on mobility and clothing may force women to stay indoors or wear heat-unfriendly attire.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q. Analyze the intersectionality of gender inequality, climate change, and socio-economic factors in the context of extreme heat's impact on women in India. Suggest policy measures to address these challenges.

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