Christian women in Africa and the Covid-19 pandemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria

Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria show a necessary resilience in the face of disease, born of familiarity with coping with illness. Nevertheless, whilst COVID-19 impacted everyone, it brought particular challenges to women. Measures implemented to impede the spread of the pandemic also limited social and economic interaction. Christian churches play a public role in Congo and Nigeria, which includes the provision of a range of social support and health care that was mobilised during the pandemic. Through interviews with Christian women, this chapter ascertains the impact of the pandemic on their lives and examines their responses. The Congo study draws attention to the challenge of conflict and insecurity during the pandemic. The study of Nigeria highlights the background of conflict and emphasises the actions of women living with disabilities. In both countries, Christian women relied on parachurches and humanitarian organisations for support during the pandemic. Professional women were critical of how church leadership responded to the pandemic. This suggests a trend at the intersection of gender/education responses that requires more attention.