THE BATTLE FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHT IN NIGERIA: A STORY OF MARGINALIZATION AND RESISTANCE

Abstract

Over time, deprivation of women’s reproductive rights has posed great affront to justice. This is because women’s reproductive rights play pivotal roles in the socio-economic, cultural, and political life of a country. The struggle by women for equal treatments, gender equality of all forms, and enjoyment of other socio-economic rights have put women’s rights in the spotlight. Some legislations both domestic and international have been impactful in the protection of women’s reproductive rights against discrimination of any kind. It is self-evident that both men and women are created equal and they are endowed by their creator with inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness but in some cultural practices, political position and all sorts, women are discriminated on the sole ground that they are women. In Igbo cultural practice for instance, women are not allowed to succeed to the real property of their parents except the Oluikpe cultural practice is done among other forms of discriminations. This research work critically appraised protection of the reproductive rights of women in Nigeria. It used doctrinal research methodology and critically analyzed all legal and institutional frameworks for the protection of women’s reproductive rights in Nigeria. It therefore discussed the extent a good number of legislations and institution for the protection of women’s reproductive rights in Nigeria. However, there are still challenges on the enforcement of women’s reproductive rights. In the course of this work, it was discovered that before now, women were not allowed to participate or contribute to pivotal issues concerning the society and were subjected to some undignified exercises like Female Genital Mutilations, not eligible to stand for political elections, amongst others. And therefore, recommend that there is need for inter-religious summit to be organized by the ministry of women affairs in conjunction with other women rights activists with a view to re-orienting religious leaders and members on the reproductive rights of women and the need to stop discrimination, oppression and degradation of women under the guise of religion.