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A new report by the United Nations Spotlight Initiative and Dalberg links rising global temperatures to a projected surge in violence against women and girls. The modeling study estimates that by 2090, up to 40 million more women and girls could experience intimate partner violence (IPV) each year if global temperatures increase by 2°C.

Violence Rises with Temperature

The report, Colliding Crises: How the Climate Crisis Fuels Gender-based Violence, finds that every 1°C rise in temperature is associated with a 4.7% increase in IPV. In addition to IPV, the study projects 10 million more cases of non-partner sexual violence annually by 2090 under the same warming scenario.

Displacement and Resource Scarcity Fuel Risk

Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, displace communities and strain resources, creating conditions that heighten the risk of gender-based violence. Disruptions to health care, shelter, and support services further reduce access to safety for those at risk.