Recognising patriarchy at the core of gender discrimination in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of patriarchy as a major impediment to the enforcement and protection of women’s rights in Nigeria. Over the years, African countries and Nigeria in particular have gained the unsavoury reputation as countries where women are relegated to the background. This belief that women should be heard and not seen is reflected in several customs, practices and laws prevalent in Nigeria. Consequently, there is resultant abuse and segregation of women. This paper by means of the doctrinal method- which is qualitative in nature and mostly library based employs information necessary to analyse and verify as well as support legal hypothesis which will impact decision-making and actions pursuant to address this scourge of gender discrimination in Nigeria. This paper further identifies some of the effects of patriarchy in Nigeria, such as the existence of abusive customary practices, unequal social, economical and political participation of women in Nigeria. It also examines the existent laws that aid patriarchy in a bid to identify the relevance or otherwise of these laws in addressing rights violation where applicable. This paper concludes by recommending inter-alia, legislative reforms as well as retraining of the relevant personnel in the institutions charged with the protection and enforcement of women’s rights.