Gender and the COVID-19 national response in Nigeria

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. In Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Lagos State on 27 February 2020.

To enhance a comprehensive response to the crisis, the Federal Government of Nigeria established the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease on 7 March 2020. The Task Force is responsible for implementing the Government’s National COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Response Plan.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profound gender implications which are likely to lead to increased inequalities. This brief highlights the importance of integrating a gender lens into the framework of the national response by federal and state governments, development partners, private sector organizations, and stakeholders.