India

In India we are working to improve the lives of women in the informal sector for whom extreme heat is no longer seasonal or episodic—it is a permanent and intensifying feature of daily life. As temperatures rise, women in India’s informal workforce, such as street vendors, waste recyclers, salt pan miners, head loaders, are facing increasing risks to their health and income. Many work outdoors for long hours with limited access to shade, water, or toilets, in temperatures exceeding 113°F (45°C). During heatwaves they report losing 40–50% of their income, a substantial burden that impacts not just the women themselves but their children, families and communities. For these women, access to savings, insurance, and credit are essential levers for survival.

Working closely with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, HERA is integrating financial and non-financial solutions—such as cash assistance, parametric insurance, early warning systems, and protective equipment—to help women in the informal workforce care for themselves and their families, paying for essential life items such as food, school fees, and health care. By combining risk reduction and risk transfer solutions, we are providing holistic coverage for those experiencing disproportionate impacts of dangerously high temperatures. These interventions aim to build resilience, reduce vulnerability, and provide women with the tools they need to protect their health and safeguard their livelihoods in an increasingly hotter world.