Mitigating the risks of heat stress among women rice farmers in Odisha

Heat stress affects women farmers more severely than their male counterparts. Extreme heat, drought, floods, and vector-borne diseases significantly amplify the physical and financial challenges faced by women, who bear the double burden of domestic and agricultural duties. Heat stress exacerbates women’s challenges related to domestic chores such as cooking and living in spaces with poor ventilation, fetching water, and increased care work due to heat-induced illnesses.

As part of efforts to help women farmers manage the challenges posed by climate change, the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform’s Evidence Module, led by IRRI, analyzed the gender dynamics of heat stress in agriculture. IRRI, in partnership with Awaas Sewa Pvt. Ltd. (ASPL), conducted a two-day training in Ganjam district, Odisha, during the 1st and 2nd of August 2024 to build awareness and capacities of women farmers to deal with heat stress effectively. This was the first of three workshops to develop targeted interventions to support women farmers in confronting heat stress and other climate change challenges.

Understanding climate change-induced challenges

During the workshop, the participants discussed various facets of climate change, like heat, floods, droughts, and vector-borne diseases. Through an interactive exercise, women shared their experiences and insights on how climate challenges have evolved and impacted their agricultural practices and daily lives. For example, some women noted an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, which has led to reduced crop yields and the need for more water for irrigation. Others shared how prolonged droughts have caused severe water shortages, affecting crop production and potable water availability for their communities. The increased prevalence of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue due to changing climate conditions was highlighted.

Heat stress is becoming a major concern

As global warming and extreme heat incidents increase, we are experiencing increased daytime temperatures,…