Legal perspectives to Children and Women’s Rights in Nigeria –Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.

Lecturer, University of Lagos, ED Women Advocates Research and Documentation

Center (WARDC)

Topic and Thrust of Presentation

Extent of guarantees and protection of

women and children’s rights in Nigeria Legal System

Why is this important?

To support understanding of women and children’s rights and their effective protection

TO GUARANTEE AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY

Vision Exercise (Reality Check)

Imagine a future where MEN AND WOMEN ENJOY THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS

WITHOUT ANY FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION

This presentation is divided into four sectiona. assess the extent of the protection of women and children’s rights under the constitution, b. Take a cursory look at some impediments by way of law that have impacted negatively on the promotion and protection of these rights c. briefly highlight some legal development that have supported the enforcements these rights d. and the fourth section will briefly assess the rights of the Child and the challenges around its enforcements

b. Perpetration of social conditions that Nigerian women suffer and that is further reinforced by patriarchal values & systems (i.e. access to education, poor legal framework, VAW, no enabling environment, the triple burden, social and economic inhibitions, other restrictions etc. - buttressed by several MDG reports, bills, covenants, laws and protocols).

Nigeria is a signatory to most international instruments protecting rights of women and children

Constitution and women’s rights Gender Gaps

Proposed Interventions.Expand constitution to address key gender

issues

LEGAL IMPEDIMENTS TO THE ENJOYMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S

RIGHTS?

CRIMINAL CODE AND PENAL CODE Nigerian Police Regulations/ActLabour lawsSharia lawsCustomary Laws

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NIGERIA LEGAL SYSTEM TRAFICKING IN PERSONS PROHIBITION LAW 2003CROSS RIVER FEMALE PERSONS INHERITANCE OF PROPERTY LAWSVAPP ACT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAWS

What do we do?

Ray Ekpu succinctly captures this point: The Guardian, Nov 10, 'Beauties and the Boss';

"Many women in Nigeria have acquired good education, professional success, wealth and many have also managed to

combine the triple roles of home maker, wife and worker. Most of the women have acquired bread, roses but have not

truly managed to acquire power."

ISSUE OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Conclusion

more political will to support rights of women and children.

THANK YOU !!!