Cultural and legislative constraints militating against women's rights in Nigeria: The way forward for a more inclusive protection

Abstract

Nigeria is a country with an estimated population of 200 million people and about half of the population are females. With widening global human rights  concerns, women's rights are at the forefront of discourses around the world. Even though, the 21st century has seen changing attitudes towards the  rights of women, there is still much to be desired on the protection and enforcement of rights of women around the world. The discriminatory practices  against women in many Nigerian communities are deeply entrenched. Cultural prejudices towards women and the stereotyping of social roles on the  basis of gender are institutionalized in the Nigerian legal system. This Paper examined the cultural and legislative constraints impeding women's rights in  Nigeria. The patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society in addition to gaps in existing laws on women's right have contributed enormously in denying  women access to services, facilities, information and platforms which men have access to. Also, providing solution for the strengthening of the existing  legal framework on women's rights in line with international best practices. The research methodology used in this research is doctrinal methodology  which involved the library reading of primary and secondary sources of law such as statutes, case law, journal articles, textbooks and internet sources  and analyzing same. This work has found that patriarchy as well as lacunas in existing Nigerian legislation continues to inhibit the equal, adequate and  necessary protection of women's rights. Consequently it is recommended that government should direct its policies towards protection of women's  rights; domesticating already ratified international instruments that promote and protect gender equality as well as eschewing patriarchal practices that  are detrimental to enjoyment of women's rights would advance the enforcement and protection of women’s rights in Nigeria.