THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: OPINION ON THE DOMESTICATION OF CEDAW
INTRODUCTION Women's rights in Nigeria remain a deeply contested issue, shaped by historical inequalities, cultural norms, and inconsistent legal enforcement. Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality, Nigerian women continue to face systemic discrimination in education, employment, and political participation. The National Gender Policy, adopted in 2006, aims to address these disparities, but implementation has been slow due to entrenched societal biases and lack of political will. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, with laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act providing legal recourse, yet enforcement is weak, leaving many victims without justice. Harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation still persist, particularly in rural areas, despite legal prohibitions. Economic inequality further exacerbates the challenges women face, with only 33% of entry-level jobs in Nigeria held by women, highli...