AN ANALYSIS OF GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Gender inequality is one of the major societal issues the world is currently suffering from. The essence of law is to enable an orderly society free from lawlessness. However, certain laws operating within our legal system are discriminatory especially towards women. This research analyses gender inequality in the Nigerian legal system. The study was set to find out the gender discriminatory laws within the Nigerian legal system and the issues, societal concerns and effects arising from the existence of these laws. It was shown that despite the existence of various legal frameworks protecting women against discrimination in Nigeria, the practices continue in the country. It further reveals that the Police Act, Labour Act, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, the Penal Code and the Criminal Code contains gender discrimination provisions. It was also shown from the study that the existence of these laws have led to cultural underdevelopment of women in Nigeria, resulted to increased domestic violence in Nigeria, discriminatory practices in inheritance processes, political underdevelopment of women as Nigerian women have been long excluded from the practice of politics on the ground that they were seen as unable to cope with the political stress in Nigeria political system. The study therefore recommends that for the abrogation of these practices that discriminate against women, and concludes that there is a need therefore to facilitate change in order to satisfy the international and regional legal obligation in ensuring gender equality in Nigeria.

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urn:uuid:56266f29-803c-48a3-a5cf-07ca220bc791