GENDER DISCRIMINATION UNDER THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

Despite the existence of constitutional provisions and commitments of regional and
international human rights conventions, the rights of female are grossly violated and
devalued in Nigeria and many African countries. The establishment of structures of
inequality has generated gender discrimination against women. Although, women
play vital roles in nation development, they do not have equal share of land, credit,
education, employment, and political power with men. Fundamentally, women have
been subjected to domination by men as a result of persisting cultural stereotype,
abuse of religious and traditional practices, patriarchal societal structures in which
economic, political and social powers are dominated by men. This article examines
the concept of female gender discrimination and empowerment, its background and
its causes in Nigeria. This study reveals that in spite of the existence of various legal
frameworks protecting women against discrimination, the practices continue in
Nigeria. It further reveals that Islamic law protects women's rights in Quran and
Sunnah contrary to some expressed negative opinions. To accomplish the thrust of
this study, the writers employed primary and secondary sources like international,
national and regional instruments on human rights, Nigerian Constitution, Quran
and Sunnah. Others are text books, journals and internet. The study recommends for
the abrogation of practices that discriminate against women, amendment of
provisions of Nigerian legislations that discriminate against women and to
restructure some federal agencies that discriminate against women folk.