Rapid Gender Analysis Of The Impact Of COViD-19 On Households In Nigeria

• WARDC
• September 25, 2020

This document is a rapid gender analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on households in Nigeria, focusing on gendered effects and policy implications.

Impact of COVID-19 on Nigerian Households

• The pandemic exposed existing inequalities, especially affecting women and marginalized groups.
• Key issues include increased domestic violence, gender-based violence, and economic hardship, with many households living below the poverty line.

Government Response and Challenges

• Nigeria implemented movement restrictions, school closures, and economic stimulus measures.
• Response efforts lacked transparency, accountability, and gender sensitivity, leading to mismanagement of palliatives and limited support for vulnerable groups.

Gendered Effects and Women’s Vulnerabilities

• Women faced increased unpaid domestic labor, reduced decision-making participation, and higher exposure to violence.
• Women’s marginalization in political and community decision-making worsened during the crisis, with exclusion from crucial community and national decisions.

Access to Information and Social Services

• Over half of respondents had basic COVID-19 knowledge; rural areas faced access barriers due to corruption and poor infrastructure.
• Healthcare facilities were dysfunctional, with many women unable to access essential health services, and a significant rise in GBV incidents.

Socioeconomic Impact and Poverty

• Majority of respondents earned less than #30,000 monthly; poverty was more severe among rural women.
• Lack of transparency and corruption in resource allocation worsened economic conditions and hindered social support.

Security and Violence Against Women

• Reports indicated increased sexual abuse, domestic violence, and security threats during lockdown.
• Security agencies lacked gender-sensitive response capacity, and violence prevention measures were inadequate.

Recommendations for Improved Emergency Response

• Calls for open governance, transparency, and citizen participation in decision-making.
• Emphasis on women’s inclusion in leadership, community engagement, and security sector reforms.
• Need for strengthened healthcare infrastructure, social support, and GBV response strategies during emergencies.

Gender Disparities in Access to Services and Resources

• Women face limited access and control over resources, making them more vulnerable to denial of services, rights, and resources.
• Lower literacy levels among women reduce awareness of rights, increasing susceptibility to exploitation and legal abuse.

Women’s Political Representation and Decision-Making Participation

• Women are underrepresented in formal and informal decision-making structures globally, with low political participation as an indicator of gender inequality.
• The pandemic has likely reduced women’s participation in household and community decision-making, risking exclusion from recovery planning.

Impact of Past Disease Outbreaks on Gender and Health

• Past outbreaks like Ebola showed women’s higher infection risk due to caregiving roles and frontline health work.
• Women health workers face increased exposure, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive health responses.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response and Gender Inclusion

• The national COVID-19 taskforce was predominantly male, with minimal women’s representation and no inclusion of key stakeholders like women’s groups.
• Limited gender mainstreaming in Nigeria’s response risks neglecting women’s specific needs during the pandemic.

COVID-19 Incidence and State Responses

• Nigeria reported over 25,000 cases by June 2020, with Lagos and Kano most affected.
• State responses mirrored national strategies, with few targeted women-focused interventions, mainly in Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Lagos.

Socio-Demographic Profile of Respondents

• Respondents were proportionally distributed across states, with Kano having the highest sample size.
• Most respondents were aged 35-49, with over 60% being women household heads, predominantly male-headed households.

Women’s Housing and Land Ownership Challenges

• Women are less likely than men to own land or property, especially in rural and traditional communities.
• Access to housing and land is constrained by cultural norms, income levels, and corruption in land administration.

Knowledge and Awareness of COVID-19

• Over 55% of respondents had basic COVID-19 knowledge, with Lagos and Ogun showing the highest awareness.
• States like Kano and Kaduna had poor knowledge, linked to literacy gaps and limited access to reliable information.

Economic Impact and Livelihood Disruption

• Many women operate small businesses with limited savings; COVID-19 worsened poverty and unemployment.
• Women’s incomes are often informal, and lockdowns forced diversion of business capital to household needs.

Income Sharing and Women’s Economic Autonomy

• A significant portion of women share all earnings with partners, indicating limited financial independence.
• Women’s unpaid care work increased during the pandemic, deepening economic vulnerabilities.

Engagement in Household and Community Tasks

• Women predominantly handle domestic chores and child care, with some states showing increased joint decision-making during COVID-19.
• Community participation declined sharply during the pandemic, marginalizing women further in local governance.

Access to Government Support and Palliatives

• Over 75% of respondents were aware of government supports, but less than 25% received aid.
• Distribution was often opaque, with reports of hijacking, favoritism, and lack of transparency.

Perceptions of Government Transparency and Corruption

• Many respondents viewed government management of COVID-19 funds as biased, fraudulent, or selective.
• Transparency issues led to mistrust, with perceptions of corruption affecting healthcare and resource distribution.

Healthcare Access and Quality During COVID-19

• Women faced difficulties accessing healthcare due to overwhelmed facilities, fear, and resource shortages.
• Reports indicated increased reliance on traditional birth attendants and neglect of non-COVID health needs.

Management of COVID-19 Funds and Palliatives

• Over 45% perceived government funds as managed with bias or fraud, with many believing aid distribution was unfair.
• Palliatives were often mismanaged, with reports of hijacking and inadequate support reaching vulnerable populations.

Public Perception and Impact of Corruption

• A majority viewed government handling of COVID-19 funds as corrupt, with high suspicion of misappropriation.
• Transparency deficits contributed to community mistrust and skepticism about official COVID-19 data and aid distribution.

Irregularities in Palliative Distribution

• Respondents from Akwa Ibom and Kwara reported least gender inequality in palliative distribution (around 20%), while Borno, FCT, and Kaduna had the highest rates (over 24%).
• Exclusion of vulnerable groups, especially women and disabled persons, was common, with Kaduna, Lagos, and Enugu showing high exclusion rates (above 34%). Reports included poor quality donations like expired rice and public scorn of donated items.

Perceptions of Politicians as Palliative Beneficiaries

• About half of respondents believed politicians and CDCs were the main targets in palliative sharing, with Kwara, Kano, and Akwa Ibom states showing the highest perceptions (over 52%).
• Widespread involvement of wives of officials in distribution raised concerns about misallocation and lack of transparency.

Healthcare Access and Women’s Health During COVID-19

• Major reasons for non-utilization of health services included lack of money (around 51%) and non-functional facilities (about 48%).
• Women faced critical healthcare disruptions during lockdown, with private clinics being unaffordable and health facilities shutting down due to PPE shortages.
• Mental health issues such as depression and tiredness affected approximately 24-44% of respondents, worsened by economic hardship and social isolation.

Water, Sanitation, and Menstrual Hygiene

• Access to safe water and sanitation was limited, especially in Borno and Kano, with only about 26.5% using improved water sources.
• Menstrual hygiene needs were unmet for many, with Kano and Borno having the least access to disposable pads (around 68%) and high reliance on reusable cloths (over 17%).

Security Challenges and Gender-Based Violence

• Women faced increased risks of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and unsafe travel during lockdown. FCT, Kaduna, and Lagos reported the highest sexual violence incidences (over 46%).
• Many women relied on family and religious leaders for support, indicating weak state social services. Rape cases surged, and security agencies were often ineffective due to corruption.

Gendered Impact and Vulnerability

• COVID-19 intensified existing gender inequalities, marginalizing women further. Women experienced increased domestic violence, security threats, and limited access to essential services.
• The pandemic revealed systemic issues like corruption, lack of accountability, and inadequate inclusion of women in decision-making processes.

Policy Recommendations for Gender and Emergency Response

• Calls for open governance, transparency, and citizen participation in crisis management.
• Emphasis on increasing women’s representation, mainstreaming gender in budgets, and involving community structures in response efforts.
• Urges investment in healthcare infrastructure, social support, and GBV prevention measures, including hotlines and survivor support services.

Download the full report: “Rapid Gender Analysis Of The Impact Of COViD-19 On Households In Nigeria 

Rapid-Gender-Analysis-Of-The-Impact-Of-COViD-19-On-Households-In-Nigeria