Gender Socio-Economic Perspective of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

The global outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which emanated from Hubei, China, has hit Nigeria very hard. The adverse impact on the Nation’s economy has been exacerbated by the fall in crude oil prices. Women in Nigeria generally lived in poverty even before the advent of the pandemic. The lockdown and isolation enforced by the government since the entry of the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria have disengaged some Women and left many of them unemployed, thereby worsening their socio-economic conditions. Women are considered an important factor in socio-economic development in every nation. The objective of engaging them in the economic relief and recovery packages during the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be over-emphasized. Women are the main pillars that can lead to quick intervention in the fight against the pandemic. This paper analyzes how the absence of socio-economic activities has impacted the livelihood and opportunities for women during the pandemic, using secondary data such as journals, newspapers, books, and the internet. The paper underscores that the crisis has largely affected women, as many who are petty traders and entrepreneurs have lost their means of subsistence. Therefore, it concludes that it is imperative for the government to formulate socio-economic policies for women that can create opportunities in all areas of life, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This will revamp the economy and fast track recovery from the pandemic and give Nigeria a quick turn around.