AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER BIASED LAWS IN THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Gender discrimination/inequality is an age long issue which the world has been and is still suffering from today. Laws protect rights and ensure liberty among the people. However, there are certain laws operating within our legal system that are discriminatory especially towards women. This research provides an analysis of the gender biased laws in the Nigerian legal system, exploring how statutory, customary and religious legal frameworks contribute to systemic discrimination against women. It reveals that despite Nigeria�s ratification of some international conventions aimed at promoting gender equality, numerous legal provisions continue to disadvantage women in areas such as employment, inheritance and personal rights. It further reveals that some of these legal provisions is contained n the Police Act, the Labour Act, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, the Criminal Code and the Penal Code. This research shows that as a result of these discriminatory laws, there has been increased domestic violence in Nigeria, exclusion of women from the practice of politics, marginalization of women�s rights in dissolution of marriage, discriminatory practices in inheritance processes. It also discusses the reforms that should be carried out in order to eradicate such discriminatory laws. This research therefore recommends that education and awareness should be put in place as well as a total reformation of the gender discriminatory laws and finally concludes that there is need to enforce a change not only to revise the discriminatory laws but also address the cultural norms and practices in order to achieve true gender equality in Nigeria.�

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urn:uuid:7e3fadb3-9ffd-4c75-b740-d237b7bf2b30