Study Finds Disturbing Link Between Climate Change And Domestic Violence

A recent study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry has shed light on a concerning correlation between increasing temperatures and a rise in domestic violence against women.

Focusing on India, Pakistan, and Nepal between 2010 and 2018, the study examined the experiences of thousands of girls and women who reported incidents of emotional, physical, and sexual violence.

The findings highlight the urgent need to address climate change and its potential consequences on vulnerable populations, particularly women.

Rising Temperatures Fuel Escalation in Domestic Violence:

According to the research, even a mere one degree Celsius increase in average annual temperature was associated with a staggering 6.3% surge in incidents of physical and sexual domestic violence across the three countries.

The study tracked 194,871 girls and women aged between 15 and 49, focusing on the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in its various forms, including physical, sexual, and emotional violence.

The researchers noted that for every one degree Celsius rise in the annual mean temperature, the prevalence of IPV increased by 4.49%. This alarming trend underscores the immediate and profound impact that environmental factors can have on the safety and well-being of women.

Michelle Bell, a professor of environmental health at Yale University and a co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, “There are many potential pathways, both physiological and sociological, through which higher temperature could affect the risk of violence.”

Extreme heat triggers a chain reaction of socio-economic consequences such as crop failures, reduced income, and the confinement of individuals to their homes without means to earn a daily wage. These factors exert tremendous pressure on households, exacerbating the rates of violence against women.

Also Read: Study Finds Gender Bias Of Indian Teachers Can Impact Girls’ Math Performance

Projected Increase in Violence And Differential Impacts

The research further projected that if emissions contributing to climate change are not curbed, the prevalence of IPV could increase by as much as 21% by the end of this century.

However, taking steps to limit emissions could still result in a moderate increase in IPV prevalence. The study highlighted that physical violence (28.3%) and sexual violence (26.1%) exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates compared to emotional violence (8.9%).

The study also revealed a significant disparity, indicating that IPV is more prevalent in lower-income and rural households compared to higher-income groups. This disparity emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and support systems to protect vulnerable communities from the impact of rising temperatures.

India’s Vulnerability And The Heatwave-Domestic Violence Nexus

India, in particular, faces a grim outlook, with the study projecting the highest prevalence of IPV among the three countries. By the 2090s, the prevalence of domestic violence in India is estimated to reach 23.5%, compared to Nepal (14.8%) and Pakistan (5.9%).

This projection aligns with the alarming heat-related deaths that occurred in India earlier this year, with temperatures soaring up to 45 degrees Celsius in certain regions.

Suniti Gargi, a former employee of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh’s Commission for Women and an activist, highlighted the impact of heatwaves on domestic violence.

Gargi observed that rising temperatures exacerbate economic stress within families, leading to heightened aggression and feelings of uselessness among men who are unable to migrate for work. As a result, women often bear the brunt of their anger and frustration.

The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat climate change and its direct and indirect consequences. Addressing the issue of domestic violence against women necessitates a multi-faceted approach that includes raising awareness, implementing supportive policies, and providing resources to vulnerable populations.

By prioritizing the mitigation of climate change and addressing the socio-economic factors exacerbating violence, societies can work towards creating safer environments for women, ensuring their well-being and dignity.

Image Credits: Google Images

Feature Image designed by Saudamini Seth

Sources: WION, The Guardian, Down To Earth

Find the blogger: Katyayani Joshi

This post is tagged under: temperature, global warming, domestic violence, climate change, well-being, heatwave, intimate partner violence, safe, emotional violence, physical violence, mental violence

Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.

Other Recommendations:

A Nobel-Prize Winning Economist’s Study Says ‘Money Can Buy Happiness’