In this report, ENE OSANG looks at the inequalities that come with the Covid-19 pandemic, especially on the lives of women and children
Diseases affect girls, boys, women and men in different ways. The Covid-19 pandemic is a new disease without any assured cure yet and, it is still being studied by scientist all over the world. Though it affects everyone everywhere, it affects different groups of people differently, deepening existing inequalities.
Global data indicates that the mortality rates from Covid-19 may be higher for men, but the pandemic is having devastating social and economic consequences for women and girls.
Nigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its first case on February 27, 2020. Since then, the number of confirmed cases rises slowly, even as some who tested positive have recovered and discharged from the isolation centers.
Globally, people have been advised that one of the best ways of flattening the curve of the spread is through regular hygienic and sanitary practices as well as staying at home otherwise called “social distancing” which many country’s have keyed into, including Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, on March 30, 2020, on the advice from the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) directed the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT which other states also keyed into.
Again, on April 13, President Buhari having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, said it became necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the FCT for another 14 days.
The lockdown period, he said, is to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. According to the president, “We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other states.”
Also, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, ordered the closure of schools for an indefinite period with most schools yet to complete the second term examinations.
The effect of these actions on women and girls cannot be overemphasised as with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic even the limited gains on gender equality made in the past decades are at risk of being rolled back.
According to the ninth secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, “Covid-19 could reverse the limited progress that has been made on gender equality and women’s rights. Nearly 60 per cent of women around the world are working in the informal economy, earning less, saving less and at greater risk of falling into poverty.”
“As markets fall and businesses close, millions of women’s jobs have disappeared. At the same time as they are losing paid employment, women’s unpaid care work has increased exponentially as a result of school closures and the increased needs of older people. These currents are combining as never before to defeat women’s rights and deny women’s opportunities,” he said.
On the other hand, children’s education has to been put on hold, especially in remote areas where access to internet and even power makes it impossible for online engagements.
The situation is worse for the girl-child in some part of Nigeria and the World as education is one of the escape route from early marriage.
According to a girl-child advocate at Crestville Development Foundation, Irene Ugbah, the only reason some girls have not been married off is because they are still going to school and sometimes the level of education I am referring to is primary or at most junior secondary schools.
Ugbah expressed fears that, “If this coronavirus pandemic continues the little progress that has been achieved in the area of girl-child education maybe lost. As girls will be give out in early marriages.”
She further said the middle-class whose daughters education will not be disrupted because they have access to online schools are not spared, adding that “there is also potential danger lurking; online sexual predators.”
“These online sexual predators mostly target minors who are new to online activities, searching for affection and attention, having identity crisis, feeling isolated and body consciousness. Girls in their pre teen or teens are going through at least two of the above mentioned.”
Continuing, she said a recent focal group research has it that girls between the ages of 11-14 confessed to using chat rooms while disguising their identities but later revealed themselves and gave personal information to online strangers when they felt they had established trust. She said further that, “Predators, of course, know that most children are online now and girls are more vulnerable.
“While we are in midst of a pandemic we may be also entering another pandemic- Marrying off girls because schools are on hold and predators lurking to lure children, especially girls.”
What can be done?
Women activists have stressed the need for women to be included in all government’s efforts to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Expressing concerns, an ace broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola, noted that the Covid-19 National Response Inter-ministerial action excluded the Ministry of Women Affairs (MWA) as currently constituted.
According to her, “Women hold society together and many are bread winners and economic force of many homes. COVID-19 has no exception but where a woman is lucky to survive, she bears the brunt of the loss of either husband/children.
“Inclusion of Women Ministry will synergise angles on social development and home front issues of salience with our response efforts. Women are natural coordinators and should be included for more robust and effective outcomes in this pandemic.”
The girl-child advocate noted that government currently shares money to the vulnerable as publicised in the media, she called for a conditional attachment for parents with school aged children, especially daughters.
“A girl-child is not a palliative to poverty. Continuous awareness in local languages should be done so, that education of the girl child must continue after the Covid-19.”
She said further that, “Parents should have discussions about online etiquette with their daughters and sons too and make them understand why they should avoid chat rooms, not disclose their identity to online strangers, and also not agree to meet up physically with online strangers.”
It has been argued that gender equality and women’s rights are essential to getting through this pandemic together, as progress lost takes years to regain. Teenage girls out of school may never return.
To achieve that starts with women as leaders, with equal representation and decision-making power.
Measures to protect and stimulate the economy, from cash transfers to credits and loans, must be targeted at women if social safety nets must be expanded.
