Concrete initiatives towards Gender Responsiveness in Outbreaks and Epidemics in Nigeria | Policy brief
Government of Nigeria
African Risk Capacity
5 p
Gender analysis in outbreaks and epidemics (O&E) in Nigeria is essential for understanding and addressing the differential impacts of infectious diseases on women, men, girls, and boys. Nigeria, with its large and diverse population of over 200 million, faces recurring health emergencies, including outbreaks of diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, Lassa fever, and cholera. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria experienced multiple disease outbreaks in recent years, with significant impacts on public health and socio-economic well-being. For instance, the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the World highlighted the importance of gender-responsive approaches in epidemic response efforts, recognizing that gender disparities can influence disease transmission, access to healthcare, and outcomes of outbreaks.
Steps for Gender integration in Disaster Risk Management and Financing in Nigeria | Policy brief
Government of Nigeria
African Risk Capacity
5 p
Gender dynamics play a pivotal yet often overlooked role in the realm of Disaster Risk Management and Financing (DRM&F) in Nigeria. While disasters and emergencies do not discriminate, the impact they exert is often shaped by existing social structures, cultural norms, and gender roles within communities. Recognizing this, understanding the intersectionality of gender with disaster risk and response efforts is imperative for creating effective policies and strategies that address the diverse needs and vulnerabilities of all members of society. In Nigeria, where a myriad of natural and man- made hazards continually threatens the population's safety and well-being, integrating a gender perspective into DRM&F is not only a matter of equity but also a fundamental component of building resilience and ensuring sustainable development.
According to the World Risk Index 2021, Nigeria ranks 8th globally in terms of disaster risk, with factors such as exposure to natural hazards, socio-economic vulnerability, and lack of coping capacity contributing to the country's high risk profile (World Risk Report, 2021). Furthermore, the ARC Framework for Disaster Risk Management highlights the importance of gender-responsive approaches in DRM, recognizing that gender disparities can intensify vulnerabilities and hinder effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
Ações Prioritárias para a Integração de Género na Gestão de Riscos de Desastres e na Prevenção e Resposta a Surtos e Epidemias na Guiné-Bissau | Policy Brief
Government of Guinea Bissau, African Risk Capacity, 13 p., 2024.
Desastres, surtos de doenças e epidemias não são experimentados de forma uniforme por todos os membros na sociedade. A vulnerabilidade e a exposição a desastres e epidemias são determinadas pelas diferenças nos papéis e responsabilidades sociais de mulheres e homens e o sexo feminino é afetado numa forma desproporcional. Relativamente as mulheres e meninas, a expectativa de que cumpram os seus papéis e responsabilidades enquanto prestadoras de cuidados às suas famílias impõe-lhes trabalhos e deveres adicionais durante e depois de desastres, surtos de doenças e epidemias.
A fraqueza verificada nas estruturas de gestão de desastres e epidemias na Guiné-Bissau se deve em parte à fraca integração da perspetiva de género nas políticas, estratégias, planos e programas, ou seja, a falta de abordar as diferencias de género relativamente a vulnerabilidade, impactos de desastres e epidemias, estratégias para os enfrentar e medidas de respostas as emergências.
African Risk Capacity
