Climate Change Linked to Increased Violence Against Women

A recent study reveals a troubling connection between climate change and heightened intimate partner violence (IPV), Earth.com revealed yesterday.

Analyzing data from thousands of surveys across 156 countries over 26 years, researchers found significant correlations between climate shocks—such as storms and floods—and increased IPV in the two years following such events. Notably, earthquakes and wildfires did not show the same impact.

Professor Jenevieve Mannell from UCL Institute for Global Health emphasized the urgency of the findings, highlighting that women experiencing climate-related events are more vulnerable to violence. The study also noted that countries with higher GDPs report lower IPV rates.

The researchers advocate for integrating “violence against women” into climate change policies and disaster planning, citing successful initiatives in Samoa and Fiji. They stress the need for gender-responsive climate strategies to address the intertwined crises of climate change and violence against women, aiming for resilient and equitable societies. The study is published in PLOS Climate.