Women's Well‐Being and Everyday Adaptation to Heat

Abstract

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves worldwide, affecting people's well‐being. While much research has examined heat's health impacts, quantitative, biomedical approaches often overlook qualitative sociocultural dimensions of well‐being, which tend to be culture‐ and gender‐specific. Using a gender lens and an integrated well‐being framework, this Overview draws on examples from Africa, Asia and Oceania to highlight how heat affects three key dimensions of well‐being: place, social relations and safety. The review argues for a deeper understanding of how women's well‐being is differentially impacted. It then shows how women adapt to safeguard their well‐being at home, in the workplace and in communal spaces, as well as in their family relationships, community participation, personal recognition and safety. Extreme heat episodes erode these dimensions of well‐being, and institutional adaptation initiatives require socioculturally and gender‐grounded approaches to well‐being to avoid perpetuating systemic gender inequality. This article is categorized under: Climate and Development > Sustainability and Human Well‐Being Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change