The aim of this internship was to understand heat stress and vulnerability of fisherwomen to heat exposure in the coastal district of Ganjam, Odisha. From the current literature there is limited study on understanding women fishers' perception
on heat stress and subsequent adaptation strategies they follow. In order to understand the experiences of heat by fisher women, approached them with their daily narratives which encapsulate knowledge that is rooted in lived experiences and that lies at the intersection of gender, justice, and climate. Its a departure from the current understanding of climate, which is masculinised and prioritises technical and scientific knowledge over these contextual insights. This study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the local fisherwomen perceptions of heat stress.
Fisherwomen start their days around 6 AM, waiting for fish at landing centers and later walking up to 10 km to sell their catch. Heat adds to the already existing vulnerability, which worsens health issues such as headaches, dizziness, and heat rashes. It highlights the Social vulnerability factors in fisherwomen to heat stress : older women, those living alone, and marginalised communities like the Nolia, who face additional challenges due to inadequate resources like ice boxes and poor infrastructure. Transportation issues and insufficient drinking water adds up.
Economically, the impact of heat is severe. Fresh fish sellers face losses up to 200 ₹ daily due to spoilage, while dry fish sellers face reduced prices and extra work to manage fish that turns red or breaks due to heat. Finally report talks about the barriers to change or infrastructure solutions that reduce the vulnerability like better access to ice storage, improved transportation, and increased support for elderly women