Journal Article

Hot Weather and Violence Against Women: A Global Scoping Review

Thakur, Rishu, Mulambo, Chiratidzo Hope, Mathew, Supriya

2025

Overview

Temperature increases due to climatic changes have been increasingly recognized as posing significant public health challenges, with wide-ranging socio-economic implications. This scoping review examines the relationship between high temperatures and violence against women (VAW) globally. Nine studies from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries were included in this review. The findings suggest an overall positive association between high temperatures and rates of VAW. Theoretical frameworks, including the temperature–aggression hypothesis and routine activity theory, offer insights into the mechanisms driving this relationship. Key risk factors such as socioeconomic status, urban heat island effects, rurality, patriarchal norms, and alcohol consumption were considered to be risk factors affecting rates of VAW. Despite growing evidence, research gaps persist, particularly in regions with high rates of VAW and in the form of qualitative studies that capture women’s lived experiences. The positive associations between temperature and VAW underscore the urgency of integrating gender-sensitive strategies into climate adaptation policies to mitigate the compounding risks of climate change and gender-based violence.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Activity theory / Alcohol use / Change agents / Climate Change / Crime / Developing countries / Domestic violence / Drinking behavior / Female / Gender-based violence / Gender-Based Violence - statistics & numerical data / Heat / Hot Temperature - adverse effects / Hot weather / Humans / LDCs / Low income groups / Mortality / Physiology / Public health / Qualitative research / Rape / Review / Risk Factors / Routine activity theory / Rural areas / Rurality / Sex crimes / Socioeconomic factors / Socioeconomic status / Temperature / Urgency / Variables / Violence - statistics & numerical data / Violence against women / Weather / Women / Womens health