By Ashna MS, AIDMI, Kerala, India

Extreme heat is not only a public health challenge but also a growing safety concern for women who depend on public spaces for work, mobility, and access to essential resources. As temperatures rise, the demand for shade, water, and cooling increases, often creating crowded and poorly regulated spaces where women face harassment or intimidation. Addressing these risks requires integrating women’s safety into urban heat resilience planning.

First, mapping unsafe public spaces such as water points, bus stops, markets, and cooling shelters is essential to identify locations where women face higher risks during heatwaves. Women’s lived experiences should guide this mapping process.

Second, designing gender-sensitive cooling centres with proper lighting, supervision, privacy, and safe entry and exit points can ensure that cooling spaces also function as safe spaces.

Third, creating safe vending and working zones that provide permanent shade, drinking water, seating, sanitation, and accessible complaint systems can reduce both heat stress and exposure to harassment.

Fourth, strengthening women’s participation in urban heat planning ensures that Heat Action Plans reflect the realities of women working and moving through public spaces.

Finally, integrating safety considerations into urban climate and disaster risk strategies can help cities respond to heat in ways that protect both health and dignity.