Women Bear Brunt of Farmer-Herder Crisis, COVID-19 Fallout

Experts have raised alarm over the growing socio-economic and psychological burdens faced by women in Nigeria, linking the challenges to the combined impact of the farmer-herder crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the central focus of a roundtable discussion organized by Charis Healthcare and Community Support Initiative, with support from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa in Jos, Plateau State.

Themed “Unveiling the Shadows: A Critical Review of Multidimensional Challenges Faced by Women in Nigeria,”the event provided a platform for experts to dissect the root causes and propose solutions.

The Team Lead of Charis Healthcare, Hon. Praise Mwuese Ter, revealed that women, especially market traders and caregivers, have been disproportionately affected by the crises, resulting in displacement, food insecurity, loss of livelihoods, and heightened cases of gender-based violence.

“These crises have left many women battling mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and emotional distress as they struggle to provide for their families amid the harsh realities,” Mwuese Ter lamented.

In her presentation titled “Nigeria After COVID-19: Subordinate Integration into the World Economy and Burgeoning Popular Discontent,” Dr. Mercy Adejoh, a consultant ophthalmologist and senior lecturer at Bingham University, highlighted how Nigeria’s socio-economic vulnerabilities deepened between 2019 and 2023.

Dr. Adejoh identified key issues such as the oil price crisis, capital flight, labor market disruptions, and the “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence. She noted that the Nigerian government’s reliance on austerity measures, inadequate health funding, and external loans revealed deeper flaws in governance.

“These crises reflect the enduring vulnerabilities of Nigeria’s socio-economic structure and highlight the limitations of its subordinate position in the global economy,” Dr. Adejoh stated.

She stressed the need for policy-driven solutions, mental health research, and grassroots resilience strategies to address Nigeria’s post-pandemic future.

According to her, tackling these challenges would require bold reforms in health funding, social protection, and women’s empowerment. Participants at the roundtable called for comprehensive interventions to address the unique challenges faced by women.

They urged the government and development partners to prioritize support for mental health services, livelihood restoration, and measures to prevent gender-based violence.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for holistic policies that address the vulnerabilities of women in crisis-affected regions, particularly in the wake of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.