Veritas University Dons Give the Reasons Why Conflicts in Nigeria Are Pushing More Women Into Poverty
Veritas University dons explained that conflicts in Nigeria are
increasingly pushing women into poverty due to a combination of market
disruptions, displacement, and economic hardship. The persistent
sit-at-home orders in the South-East and the growing number of
internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country are making it
difficult for women to access markets and sustain livelihoods, thereby
exacerbating their economic vulnerability.
Dr. Richard Gokum from Veritas University’s Department of Theology highlighted these concerns during a roundtable discussion on research sponsored by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa. He stated that women disproportionately bear the burden of conflicts, especially in IDP camps where caregiving roles and economic responsibilities intersect. Women are tasked with caring for dependents in economically constrained environments while facing limited access to essential resources, education, and employment opportunities.
According to Dr. Gokum, the compounded pressures of inadequate healthcare, environmental challenges, and severe economic constraints create a cycle of vulnerability that perpetuates poverty among women. His research, titled “The Impact of Farmers-Herders Crisis on the Quality of Life of Women and Girls in Internally Displaced Camps in North Central Nigeria,” outlines how conflict-driven displacement magnifies gender-specific hardships. He explained that displaced women are particularly susceptible to exploitation and abuse due to socioeconomic fragility. Furthermore, the lack of security and resources in IDP camps worsens risks associated with gender-based violence (GBV), leading to long-term psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
Dr. Chinaemelum Okafor of the Department of History and International Relations at Veritas University reviewed a related study titled “Effects of Bwari Conflict and Enugu Sit-at-Home on Women,” authored by Dr. Ikechukwu Ukandu and Dr. Nneamaka Obodo. Okafor pointed out that market closures, supply chain disruptions, and restricted movement during conflicts have devastating economic consequences for women engaged in small businesses and trading. These impacts significantly diminish women’s ability to generate income, thereby undermining their economic empowerment and exacerbating existing gender inequalities.
Okafor emphasized that the dual roles women play as caregivers and breadwinners become even more challenging during periods of conflict. Access to food, shelter, and other resources becomes scarce, placing additional strain on women’s responsibilities within their households. She noted that the enforced sit-at-home orders in Enugu further marginalized women who depend on daily earnings to support their families. This disruption of economic activities highlights the need to integrate women’s economic empowerment into post-conflict recovery strategies to mitigate poverty.
In the book authored by Ukandu and Obodo, the feminization of poverty is examined as a direct result of conflicts that destroy women’s economic foundations. The burning of shops and loss of livelihood have profound effects on women, who are often central to the economic life of their communities. The authors observed that inadequate support systems for women exacerbate these hardships. They also highlighted the social impacts on family structures, noting that children are often forced to discontinue schooling and flee alongside their parents.
The Enugu case study underscores the broad societal impacts of conflict-induced restrictions, affecting sectors such as education, banking, civil service, and religious institutions. The inability of women to move freely and earn income during these periods intensifies economic struggles and deepens poverty. Ultimately, the findings from these studies call for policies that prioritize the economic resilience and security of women in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
Dr. Richard Gokum from Veritas University’s Department of Theology highlighted these concerns during a roundtable discussion on research sponsored by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation West Africa. He stated that women disproportionately bear the burden of conflicts, especially in IDP camps where caregiving roles and economic responsibilities intersect. Women are tasked with caring for dependents in economically constrained environments while facing limited access to essential resources, education, and employment opportunities.
According to Dr. Gokum, the compounded pressures of inadequate healthcare, environmental challenges, and severe economic constraints create a cycle of vulnerability that perpetuates poverty among women. His research, titled “The Impact of Farmers-Herders Crisis on the Quality of Life of Women and Girls in Internally Displaced Camps in North Central Nigeria,” outlines how conflict-driven displacement magnifies gender-specific hardships. He explained that displaced women are particularly susceptible to exploitation and abuse due to socioeconomic fragility. Furthermore, the lack of security and resources in IDP camps worsens risks associated with gender-based violence (GBV), leading to long-term psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
Dr. Chinaemelum Okafor of the Department of History and International Relations at Veritas University reviewed a related study titled “Effects of Bwari Conflict and Enugu Sit-at-Home on Women,” authored by Dr. Ikechukwu Ukandu and Dr. Nneamaka Obodo. Okafor pointed out that market closures, supply chain disruptions, and restricted movement during conflicts have devastating economic consequences for women engaged in small businesses and trading. These impacts significantly diminish women’s ability to generate income, thereby undermining their economic empowerment and exacerbating existing gender inequalities.
Okafor emphasized that the dual roles women play as caregivers and breadwinners become even more challenging during periods of conflict. Access to food, shelter, and other resources becomes scarce, placing additional strain on women’s responsibilities within their households. She noted that the enforced sit-at-home orders in Enugu further marginalized women who depend on daily earnings to support their families. This disruption of economic activities highlights the need to integrate women’s economic empowerment into post-conflict recovery strategies to mitigate poverty.
In the book authored by Ukandu and Obodo, the feminization of poverty is examined as a direct result of conflicts that destroy women’s economic foundations. The burning of shops and loss of livelihood have profound effects on women, who are often central to the economic life of their communities. The authors observed that inadequate support systems for women exacerbate these hardships. They also highlighted the social impacts on family structures, noting that children are often forced to discontinue schooling and flee alongside their parents.
The Enugu case study underscores the broad societal impacts of conflict-induced restrictions, affecting sectors such as education, banking, civil service, and religious institutions. The inability of women to move freely and earn income during these periods intensifies economic struggles and deepens poverty. Ultimately, the findings from these studies call for policies that prioritize the economic resilience and security of women in conflict-affected regions of Nigeria to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
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