By Sylvia Ezenwa-Ahanene
Whenever any part Nigeria experiences a health emergency such as cholera outbreak in the riverine South, diphtheria outbreak in the Middle belt, or measles outbreak in the North, there is one group of health workers that is predominantly on the frontline, and it is women.
Women are caregivers, volunteers, community health workers, and nurses who, in many cases, put their safety on the line to tend to others.
According to reports from the United Nations, women make up around 60% of Nigeria’s health workforce. However, they are under-represented in health leadership. Women have the highest population in the frontline and bear the heaviest burden during outbreaks.
