By Sylvia Ezenwa-Ahanene (adapted)
Whenever Nigeria faces a public health crisis, whether it is cholera in riverine communities, diphtheria in the Middle Belt, or measles in northern regions, one group consistently leads the frontline response: women.
Across the country, women serve as caregivers, nurses, volunteers, and community health workers, often putting their own safety at risk to protect others. According to United Nations data, about six in ten members of Nigeria’s health workforce are women, yet their presence in high-level decision-making roles remains limited.
This gender imbalance means that while women shoulder much of the hands-on work during outbreaks, their insights often go unheard at the leadership table. The gap has serious consequences. For example, the particular hygiene needs of girls and women, or the welfare and safety of frontline health workers, most of whom are female, are sometimes overlooked during the planning of outbreak interventions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, women were central in patient care, health education, and community mobilisation but were largely absent from the national and state task forces that made key policy decisions. This lack of inclusion contributed to gaps in critical areas such as ensuring access to antenatal care and childhood immunisations during lockdowns.
Health emergency teams that include more women leaders tend to be more inclusive and responsive, not only in providing essential supplies and protective equipment but also in addressing challenges like gender-based violence, reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and psychosocial support during crises.
Lessons from Other Outbreaks
Past emergencies show the benefits of a gender-aware response.
- In Liberia’s 2014–2016 Ebola crisis, community surveillance led by women’s groups proved vital for early detection and reporting of cases.
- In Rwanda, more than half of the COVID-19 response measures were gender-sensitive, ensuring that both men’s and women’s needs were considered. This approach was linked to better outcomes compared with many other countries.
These examples highlight that equitable representation of women in outbreak leadership improves both efficiency and inclusivity.
The Way Forward for Nigeria
To strengthen its epidemic response, Nigeria’s health authorities, at both federal and state levels, should:
- Set specific targets for female representation in emergency response teams.
- Expand training and mentorship programmes to prepare more women for leadership in epidemiology, health policy, and emergency management.
- Require gender impact assessments as a standard component of all response strategies to ensure interventions reflect the needs of all affected groups.
Emergencies often do not allow time for fixing such structural gaps. Addressing them before the next crisis hits will position Nigeria for a stronger, fairer, and more effective response.
“Women need to move from being only at the frontline to having a voice at the decision-making table,” says Sylvia Ezenwa-Ahanene, Senior Surveillance and Health Emergency Preparedness Officer at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
✅ Key Takeaway: Ignoring gender equity weakens Nigeria’s health emergency response. Bringing more women into leadership improves inclusivity, protects vulnerable groups, and strengthens the nation’s ability to respond to epidemics.
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