Why Heatwaves Hit Women Harder Than Men: The Science Explained

Summer is no longer just another season; it has become an annual test of endurance. Every year, as temperatures soar beyond 45°C, everyday life seems to slow down. The cool breeze from air coolers turns into waves of hot air, and the sun’s rays begin to scorch the skin. We all struggle through the relentless heat, becoming exhausted, irritable, and counting the hours until the day finally ends. But have you ever noticed that this extreme heat affects women differently and often more severely than men, both inside and outside the home? At first glance, this may seem surprising. After all, the sun shines equally on everyone. So why should gender make a difference? The answer lies in science, sociology, and the realities of everyday life. A closer look reveals that climate change and rising temperatures are forcing women to pay a disproportionately high price. This is not merely a social perception; it is backed by biological evidence and reinforced by the way our societies function. Recent studies published in the renowned medical journal The Lancet have confirmed that extreme heat poses significantly greater health risks for women than for men.

From a physiological perspective, women’s bodies respond to heat differently. Medical experts explain that women generally have less active sweat glands than men. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, helping regulate internal temperature. When sweating is reduced, core body temperature rises more rapidly. In addition, women naturally tend to have a higher percentage of body fat and lower water content than men. Body fat retains heat, increasing the risk of heat stroke and dehydration. As a result, when women perform physically demanding work in extreme temperatures, their internal organs experience greater strain. Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause further increase their vulnerability. During pregnancy, a woman’s body is already working harder to support two lives. Exposure to excessive heat places additional stress on the heart and lungs, making hot weather even more dangerous.

The scientific explanation is only part of the story. The realities of everyday life in Indian households make the picture even clearer. In most homes, cooking remains primarily a woman’s responsibility. On days when outdoor temperatures touch 44°C, the temperature inside a poorly ventilated kitchen can easily exceed 50°C. A burning gas stove only intensifies the heat. While many men may spend their working hours in offices, shops, or workplaces with fans or air conditioning, countless women continue to cook for hours in these sweltering kitchens. Ironically, traditional homes with mud stoves often had open courtyards that allowed better airflow, despite the problem of smoke. Modern concrete apartments with compact, enclosed kitchens have trapped heat indoors. In many ways, reduced ventilation has become an unintended cost of modern living. Another subtle contradiction reflects this lifestyle. Many women continue the cultural habit of drinking hot tea during the hottest part of the day to combat fatigue. However, caffeine contributes to dehydration. Men, on the other hand, are generally more likely to step outside and easily access cooling drinks such as lemonade or fresh sugarcane juice.

This harsh reality is recognized not only in India but across the world. Official reports by UN Women consistently warn that climate change and extreme heat are not gender-neutral disasters. As temperatures rise, women and girls often the most vulnerable members of society bear the first and most severe consequences. Historical data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) further show that women are significantly more likely than men to be adversely affected by extreme weather events and climate-related disasters. Economic inequality further deepens this divide. In urban slums and low-income settlements often described by scientists as urban heat islands conditions become particularly dangerous. Homes with tin roofs or plastic sheets can become 5–6°C hotter than the surrounding streets. At night, men often sleep outdoors on rooftops, sidewalks, or in parks to escape the heat. Women, constrained by safety concerns and social norms, frequently remain trapped inside overheated rooms with little ventilation.

As water sources dry up, women are forced to walk long distances to fetch water. Renowned environmentalist Sunita Narain has repeatedly pointed out that water scarcity and environmental degradation have the most immediate and devastating impact on women’s lives. The consequences of extreme heat extend far beyond physical health. Several mental health studies have found that rising temperatures significantly increase irritability, stress, and aggression. Unfortunately, women often become the silent victims of this growing frustration. After enduring exhausting heat and humidity throughout the day, some men return home carrying accumulated stress that may manifest as verbal abuse or domestic violence against women.

Water scarcity during summer also creates another largely invisible crisis period poverty. Managing menstruation during 45°C heat without adequate water is extremely difficult. Poor hygiene caused by water shortages increases the likelihood of skin rashes, fungal infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Yet many women suffer silently, reluctant to discuss these issues because of stigma and embarrassment. This crisis also affects today’s younger generation. Young women now pursue higher education and careers alongside men. However, many college students and working professionals often feel compelled to cover themselves completely whether for safety, protection from tanning, or social expectations. Young men generally enjoy greater freedom in choosing lighter, more comfortable clothing. Long commutes under the blazing sun, coupled with workplace pressures, are contributing to rising levels of stress and anxiety among young women. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat elevates cortisol the body’s primary stress hormone which negatively affects mental well-being.

Ironically, technological advancement has not eliminated these inequalities. In many offices, air-conditioning temperatures are set according to the average metabolic rate of men, making workplaces uncomfortably cold for many women. At home, the situation can be the opposite. In economically weaker households with only one cooler or fan, social priorities often mean that the available cooling is directed first toward the family’s earning male member or children, while women continue working in hotter conditions. Despite these challenges, positive changes are beginning to emerge. Across both urban and rural India, women are becoming more vocal about their health, well-being, and rights. Younger generations are openly questioning traditional household roles and advocating for a more equitable distribution of domestic work. Cities such as Ahmedabad have demonstrated encouraging results through their Heat Action Plan (HAP). One of its successful initiatives involves painting rooftops white a “cool roof” technique that can lower indoor temperatures by 3–5°C. For women who spend much of their day indoors, such interventions can make a meaningful difference. Comparing today’s society with earlier generations also offers an interesting perspective. Joint families often shared household responsibilities, allowing everyone to rest during the hottest part of the day. Today’s nuclear families and work-from-home culture have increased the double burden on working women, who often balance professional responsibilities with domestic duties. At the same time, growing awareness is encouraging more women to prioritize hydration, self-care, and heat protection.

Climate change and heatwaves are not gender-neutral phenomena. They do not affect everyone equally. Unless policymakers, urban planners, and families acknowledge this uncomfortable reality, building a truly healthy and resilient society will remain difficult. Science has already sounded the alarm, and the evidence is unmistakable. The solution does not lie solely in buying larger air conditioners or more powerful coolers. It begins with changing the mindset that routinely overlooks women’s labour and underestimates the physical toll that extreme heat takes on their bodies. If, during these scorching summers, we can make household responsibilities more flexible, improve kitchen ventilation, and reduce the burden of securing basic necessities such as water, we can significantly lessen the impact of extreme heat on women. Ultimately, the journey toward a safer, healthier, and more compassionate future begins not in government offices or policy documents but at the doorstep of our own homes.