AB054. Extreme heat and gender-based violence: a systematic review of the evidence
Isabelle Pearson1, Andreas Flouris2, Zonibel Woods3, Meghna Ranganathan1
Background: Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heatwaves across the world, as well as raising ambient air temperatures, which has profound consequences for human health. Women and girls, especially those already facing social and economic disadvantage, are disproportionately impacted by rising heat due to the exacerbation of gender inequalities, unequal power dynamics, discriminatory social norms, and unequal access to resources and livelihoods—all of which can increase their risk of gender-based violence (GBV). GBV is widely recognised as a global public health crisis, yet its critical intersection with climate change has received limited attention in policy and research. The objective of this study is to synthesise the global quantitative evidence on the association between increased ambient temperatures and heatwaves with different forms of GBV, including intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence and early marriage.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review following a Prospero-registered protocol (CRD42025645675). We searched academic and grey literature to identify quantitative studies published between 1983 and 2024.
Results: We identified 23 eligible studies, the majority of which (n=20) reported a statistically significant positive association between higher temperatures and more reports of GBV. Notably, IPV and sexual violence were the most frequently reported outcomes. Three key pathways that link extreme heat to GBV were identified: (I) heightened economic and psychological stress; (II) increased exposure to enabling environments, such as displacement or disrupted services; and (III) the exacerbation of existing structural inequalities. Despite significant findings, evidence quality varied and reporting on intersecting risk factors such as gender, age, and disability status was limited.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical role of climate change as a threat multiplier for GBV. Addressing climate change through mitigation and adaptation strategies must be gender-responsive and consider the disproportionate impacts on women, especially related to increased risk of GBV.
Keywords: Climate change; gender-based violence (GBV); extreme heat; intimate partner violence (IPV); heatwaves
Footnote
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Cite this abstract as: Pearson I, Flouris A, Woods Z, Ranganathan M. AB054. Extreme heat and gender-based violence: a systematic review of the evidence. J Public Health Emerg 2026;10:AB054.
