International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on the 25th of November, marks the start of 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, concluding on Human Rights Day on the 10th of December. This global campaign raises awareness to a crisis which affects nearly one in three women globally during their lifetime.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is not only a violation of human rights, it’s a profound public health issue. Its impacts are felt across generations, harming physical and mental health and deepening inequalities. VAWG is a universal problem, but its risk is not evenly distributed and women living through other crises, be it conflict, poverty or climate relate disasters, face significantly higher vulnerability.

Climate change is amplifying the risk of violence towards women and girls. Extreme weather events, displacement, and resource scarcity create stressful conditions where violence escalates. Research shows that during floods, droughts, and heatwaves, families experience heightened stress, financial burdens and mental health difficulties (Olson et al., 2025; Bryson et al., 2023). This can lead to increased incidents of domestic abuse and intrafamilial violence, with children often witnessing harm (Edwards et al., 2021). For women and girls, the intersection of environmental and social vulnerability can be devastating (Anjum and Aziz, 2025).

Emerging evidence suggests that environmental stressors combined with inadequate support systems are contributing to a rise in gender-based violence and poor child health outcomes. VAWG is preventable through a considered, coordinated response. We need to challenge harmful gender norms, strengthen legal protections and ensure that climate adaption strategies include gender-sensitive approaches.

To effectively address this issue, a public health lens should be adopted. Proposed policies must integrate mental health support, community resilience and gender equity in climate adaptation and mitigation plans. Through targeted awareness raising campaigns and education, public health can empower communities to recognise and prevent violence (Pryor et al., 2025; Sivarajasingam et al, 2022; Cardoso et al., 2023 ). It is International recognition days like the 25th of November, when we remind ourselves why ending VAWG is inseparable from tackling the broader systemic inequities, including those worsened by climate change.

At the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, we examine how climate change affects families and mental health. Additionally, a PhD student will start in 2026 looking explicitly at climate change and violence in the UK, creating more urgently needed evidence on this topic and contribute to identifying ways to intervene.