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Burning Rage: How Heat Shapes Gender-Based Violence

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Aina

    (Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, Italy; GLO, Global Labor Organization, Essen, Germany.)

  • Lavinia Parisi

    (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Salerno, Italy; CELPE, Centre for Labor Political Economics, University of Salerno, Italy)

  • Matteo Picchio

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University)

Abstract

We investigate the impact of temperature on gender-based violence (GBV) in Italy, focusing on femicides and calls to the 1522 helpline, a public service for victims of GBV and stalking. Both femicides and helpline calls increase significantly with warmer temperatures, particularly during elevated nighttime temperatures, suggesting that extreme heat may contribute to GBV by disrupting sleep or influencing social interactions. To better understand the underlying mechanisms, we consider key contextual factors at the provincial level. We find that environmental, social, and institutional factors interact in shaping the response of GBV to heat.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Aina & Lavinia Parisi & Matteo Picchio, 2025. "Burning Rage: How Heat Shapes Gender-Based Violence," Working Papers 499, Universita' Politecnica delle Marche (I), Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche e Sociali.
    • Handle: RePEc:anc:wpaper:499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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