The Unseen Frontline: Gendered Burdens and Resilience in Rural Nigeria Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Dr. Ayoola B. Nkemrinde

  Department of Gender Studies, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  Author

• Dr. Chimobi Z. Kalenda

  Centre for Public Health Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

  Author

The COVID-19 pandemic, a global crisis of unprecedented scale, has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, with its impacts being disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations. In rural Nigeria, women have been at the epicenter of these challenges, facing intensified burdens in care work, significant threats to their economic livelihoods, and heightened barriers to essential healthcare services. This article synthesizes existing evidence to examine the gendered dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Nigeria. The analysis reveals a significant amplification of gender inequalities, with women shouldering increased domestic and care responsibilities, experiencing substantial income loss, and facing diminished access to maternal and reproductive health services. However, the findings also illuminate the remarkable resilience and adaptive strategies employed by women and their communities. This article argues that an equitable recovery requires gender-transformative policies that address the structural drivers of inequality. By investing in the care economy, empowering women economically, and strengthening rural healthcare, it is possible to build a future that is not only more resilient to subsequent crises but also fundamentally more just.

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