Extreme heat, gender, and access to preparedness measures: An analysis of the heatwave early warning system in Ahmedabad, India

Ahmedabad, India's pioneering Heat Action Plan (HAP) and early warning system (EWS) for heatwaves face significant gender disparities in access and effectiveness. Research reveals that female outdoor laborers, often illiterate with low phone ownership, experience asymmetrical heat warning access due to intersecting vulnerabilities such as occupation, income, and education. While verbal warnings and community engagement partially mitigate these gaps, the study highlights a critical oversight: income constraints force women to work during extreme heat despite heightened vulnerability. The HAP's focus on targeting vulnerable groups underscores the need for deeper investigation into gender-specific drivers of heat risk. These findings emphasize the importance of inclusive, people-centered EWS design to address social vulnerabilities effectively in India and globally.

Trahan, A., Walshe, R., & Mehta, V. (2023). Extreme heat, gender, and access to preparedness measures: An analysis of the heatwave early warning system in Ahmedabad, India. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 99, 104080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104080