The Hidden Toll of Drought: Exploring Gender-Based Violence in Drought-Affected Regions of India

Apoorva Nambiar, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Garima Jain, Arizona State University
Pratyush Tripathy, University of California, Santa Barbara
Kaushelendra Kumar, International Institute for Population Sciences

This study examines the relationship between drought conditions and partner violence against women in India, focusing on how environmental stress exacerbates gender-based violence. Using rainfall data from the Indian Meteorological Department (1980-2016) and the National Family Health Survey (2015-2016), the study explores the effects of drought on women's experiences of physical, sexual, and emotional violence. Drought exposure is categorized into three levels: no drought, mild drought, and severe drought. The findings reveal that women in regions experiencing severe drought had 1.25 times higher odds of reporting violence, while those in mild drought regions had 1.22 times higher odds, compared to no drought regions. These effects were strongest two years after the drought event, illustrating the prolonged impact of environmental stress on household dynamics. The data show that women from poorer households and rural areas were more vulnerable to violence, with rural women disproportionately affected due to their dependence on agriculture. Socio-economic disparities further intensified these vulnerabilities, with women in impoverished households at greater risk. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing both climate change and gender inequality. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and advocates aiming to improve women’s safety and resilience in drought-affected regions.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change

See extended abstract.