Background

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.

Gender disparities in Nigeria are pronounced across various dimensions, with women and girls often facing greater socio-economic and cultural barriers that exacerbate their vulnerability to disasters. For instance, women account for 49.5% of Nigeria’s population but remain disproportionately affected by poverty, limited access to education, and restricted economic opportunities (National Bureau of Statistics, 2020).

In view of these, the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) signed an agreement Investment Grant on “Gender Responsive Mechanisms for Epidemic Preparedness in ECOWAS to support the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to provide rapid and appropriate gender-sensitive responses to disease outbreaks and epidemics in the region.
Under the direction of the ARC O&E and Gender Units and the support of the Country Engagement Managers, a Gender analysis, looking at the linkages between Gender, Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management in Nigeria was conducted. The Terms of References included an in-depth gender analysis of the health sector from the Disaster Risk Management and Financing (DRM&F) perspective. The analysis aimed to identify gaps & challenges and proposed recommendations for gender integration in DRM&F towards gender transformation of the sector in Nigeria.
With a targeted approach, the project aims to enhance gender-responsive mechanisms for Disaster and Risk preparedness, response and post-disaster Management in selected countries, placing particular emphasis on Nigeria. The backdrop of this initiative is entwined into the fabric of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, cultural diversity, and susceptibility to climate-induced hazards and DRM&F.

Key Findings

• Perception of Gender Neutrality : Most leadership positions during disasters are influenced by traditional gender roles, indicating a prevalent perception of gender neutrality within the DRM&F sector.
• Preference for Male Leadership : There is preference for male leadership during disasters, highlighting a gender bias that could hinder achieving gender diversity in critical leadership roles.
• Flexibility in Role Assignment : Half of all the Stakeholders are in agreements on whether roles during disaster response are skill-based or conform to traditional gender norms, suggesting a need for improvement in promoting skill-based assignments in DRM.
• Perceived Impact of Gender Dynamics : Resource access during disasters are more challenging for women and people with varying challenges, hence the urgency for and of inclusivity and addressing gender disparities in resource allocation strategies.
• Awareness and Implementation of Gender-Responsive Measures : While awareness of existing gender-responsive measures is high, their limited integration into DRM&F policies and strategies rated ≤3 (on a scale of 1-10) signals a critical gap.
• Challenges in Addressing Gender Disparities : Identified challenges include inadequate resources for gender-sensitive interventions and insufficient training on gender integration for emergency responders.
• Effectiveness of Gender-Responsive Measures : Though most of the stakeholders perceive existing gender-responsive measures to be effective, only a few report observable improvements in the resilience of vulnerable groups.

Policy Recommendations

1. Leadership Diversity and Sensitization : Implement targeted sensitization programs to enhance awareness about the benefits of diverse leadership.
   Policy Action : - Launch campaigns promoting gender diversity in leadership roles during disasters, emphasizing the value of varied perspectives.

1. Skill-Based Role Assignments : Introduce guidelines emphasizing skill-based role assignments in disaster response.
   Policy Action : - Mandate the adoption of skill-based criteria for role assignments in DRM&F policies, ensuring equitable distribution of responsibilities.

1. Enhanced Integration of Gender- Responsive Measures : Develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating gender-responsive measures into DRM&F policies.
   Policy Action : - Establish a task force responsible for overseeing the integration of gender-responsive measures into all DRM&F activities, with regular progress reports.

1. Community Engagement and Awareness : Develop community-centric awareness campaigns challenging gender biases.
   Policy Action : Partner with local NGOs and community leaders to conduct awareness campaigns on gender equality in disaster response, using culturally sensitive messaging.

1. Capacity Building and Collaboration : Strengthen institutional capacity building initiatives and foster collaboration with gender-focused organizations.
   Policy Action : Establish a joint task force comprising DRM&F agencies and gender- focused NGOs to develop training modules and coordinate capacity-building efforts.

1. Policy Advocacy for Gender Mainstreaming : Advocate for the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in all DRM&F policies.
   Policy Action : Lobby for the inclusion of gender mainstreaming provisions in DRM&F legislation, with a focus on promoting gender equality and inclusivity.

1. Resource Allocation and Training : - Allocate dedicated resources for gender- sensitive interventions and provide training on gender disparities.
   Policy Action : Allocate a specific budget for gender-sensitive programs within DRM&F agencies and require mandatory gender training for all emergency responders and other sectors.

1. Regular Assessment of Gender- Responsive Measures : Establish a mechanism for the regular assessment of the effectiveness of existing gender- responsive measures.
   Policy Action : Institutionalize a biennial review process for monitoring and evaluating the impact of gender- responsive measures on disaster resilience, with actionable recommendations for improvement.

1. Data Collection and Monitoring : Invest in robust data collection mechanisms and monitoring frameworks.
   Policy Action : Allocate funding for the development of gender-disaggregated data collection tools and establish a dedicated unit within DRM&F agencies for gender monitoring and evaluation.

1. Aligned Coping Mechanisms : Develop gender-specific coping mechanisms aligned with community preferences.
   Policy Action : Conduct gender-sensitive assessments of community needs and preferences to inform the design and implementation of coping mechanisms, ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness.

Addressing gender disparities in Disaster Risk Management & Financing is imperative for building resilience and promoting inclusivity in disaster response efforts in Nigeria. Implementation of the recommended policy actions will pave the way for a more equitable, responsive, and resilient approach to disaster risk management and financing, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of crisis.