nigeria
The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, chapter 4 sections 33-43 guarantees every Nigerian the following fundamental rights: The right to life. The right to dignity of human person. The right to personal liberty. The right to freedom of statement. The right to freedom from discrimination. The right against compulsory acquisition of property without compensation.
The rights of women in Nigeria are clearly spelt out in the nation's constitution. Right is defined as ‘A power, privilege or immunity, guaranteed under a constitution, status or decisional laws or claimed as a respect of long usage. In moral vocabulary, respect for rights is seen as a matter of justice. Rights can be asserted, demanded or stood upon. The obligation they impose are expected to be performed and their non-performance occasions feeling of indignation, resentment and disappointment.
the constitution states that discrimination on the grounds of sex shall be prohibited. While section 17 upholds that ‘The social order is founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. The sanctity of the human person shall be recognized and enhanced.’It is sad to note that in a country where the rights of women are stipulated so in its constitution, women are still considered inferior. Women are considered to be people who can be seen but not heard. In northern Nigeria, women are not even seen! Women are considered tools and properties of men ‘whose superior position had been ordained by the divine powers or the society.’ Culturally, almost every evil occurrence in society is attributed to women who are often humiliated and accused of being responsible for the deaths of their husbands and children.
((http://iheu.org/content/humanism-and-womens-rights-nigeria))
Rape is punishable by life imprisonment in Nigeria, but there are no sanctions in the Penal Code against spousal rape.[30] Societal pressure to keep silent, victim-blaming, and stigma surrounding sexual violence mean that few women report sexual assaults.[31]
A few Nigerian states have a law in place to address domestic violence, for example the Domestic Violence Law of Lagos State (2007), Gender Based Violation Law of Ekiti State (2011).. However, the country’s Penal Code grants husbands permission to beat their wives, provided the violence does not result in serious injury.
There is no law specifically addressing sexual harassment in Nigeria
Female genital mutilation (FGM) was prohibited in eleven Nigerian states as of 2008, but such laws are difficult to enforce.[40] On a national scale, nearly 30 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years have been subjected to it.[41] The incidence of FGM differs considerably by region, and is twice as common in rural communities as in urban areas.[42]
The law does not specifically allow abortion in Nigeria, however in cases where the woman’s life or health was in danger, it has been carried out with no subsequent attempts to prosecute.[43]
((http://genderindex.org/country/nigeria#_ftn31))
Two major types of marriage exist in Nigeria: monogamy, a marriage of one man to one woman, and polygyny, a marriage of one man to two or more wives. In most cultural groups in Nigeria, traditional marriage is usually an arrangement between two families as opposed to an arrangement between two individuals. Accordingly, there is pressure on the bride and bridegroom to make the marriage work as any problem will usually affect both families and strain the otherwise cordial relationship between them. In most Nigerian cultures, the man usually pays the dowry or bride-price and is thus considered the head of the family. Adultery is acceptable for men, but forbidden for women.
Marriage in Idoma land is considered a lifelong state, although divorce is possible on the grounds of adultery or other concrete reasons.
The Ya marriage ceremony involves certain customary functions that precede the consummation of the marriage. Here the bride and groom must come from the same tribe. In case of unavoidable divorce as aresult of adultery on the woman's part, the parents of the wife are bound to return double the cumulative expenses of the husband.
Some tribes, marriage is invalid if the woman's fertility is not proven.
((http://family.jrank.org/pages/1211/Nigeria-Marriages-in-Nigeria.html))
In 1990, three fundamentally distinct education systems existed in Nigeria - the indigenous system, the Quranic schools, and formal European-style educational institutions. Higher Education in Nigeria originated with the colonial government launching the Yaba Higher College in 1934.
According to the 1979 constitution, education in Nigeria became the responsibility of the state and local councils. The first 6 years of primary education were made mandatory, which was a significant factor in the development of education in Nigeria. There has been a noticeable upgrading of educational facilities in Nigeria in recent years.
((http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/education/))
The rights of women in Nigeria are clearly spelt out in the nation's constitution. Right is defined as ‘A power, privilege or immunity, guaranteed under a constitution, status or decisional laws or claimed as a respect of long usage. In moral vocabulary, respect for rights is seen as a matter of justice. Rights can be asserted, demanded or stood upon. The obligation they impose are expected to be performed and their non-performance occasions feeling of indignation, resentment and disappointment.
the constitution states that discrimination on the grounds of sex shall be prohibited. While section 17 upholds that ‘The social order is founded on the ideals of freedom, equality and justice. The sanctity of the human person shall be recognized and enhanced.’It is sad to note that in a country where the rights of women are stipulated so in its constitution, women are still considered inferior. Women are considered to be people who can be seen but not heard. In northern Nigeria, women are not even seen! Women are considered tools and properties of men ‘whose superior position had been ordained by the divine powers or the society.’ Culturally, almost every evil occurrence in society is attributed to women who are often humiliated and accused of being responsible for the deaths of their husbands and children.
((http://iheu.org/content/humanism-and-womens-rights-nigeria))
Rape is punishable by life imprisonment in Nigeria, but there are no sanctions in the Penal Code against spousal rape.[30] Societal pressure to keep silent, victim-blaming, and stigma surrounding sexual violence mean that few women report sexual assaults.[31]
A few Nigerian states have a law in place to address domestic violence, for example the Domestic Violence Law of Lagos State (2007), Gender Based Violation Law of Ekiti State (2011).. However, the country’s Penal Code grants husbands permission to beat their wives, provided the violence does not result in serious injury.
There is no law specifically addressing sexual harassment in Nigeria
Female genital mutilation (FGM) was prohibited in eleven Nigerian states as of 2008, but such laws are difficult to enforce.[40] On a national scale, nearly 30 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years have been subjected to it.[41] The incidence of FGM differs considerably by region, and is twice as common in rural communities as in urban areas.[42]
The law does not specifically allow abortion in Nigeria, however in cases where the woman’s life or health was in danger, it has been carried out with no subsequent attempts to prosecute.[43]
((http://genderindex.org/country/nigeria#_ftn31))
Two major types of marriage exist in Nigeria: monogamy, a marriage of one man to one woman, and polygyny, a marriage of one man to two or more wives. In most cultural groups in Nigeria, traditional marriage is usually an arrangement between two families as opposed to an arrangement between two individuals. Accordingly, there is pressure on the bride and bridegroom to make the marriage work as any problem will usually affect both families and strain the otherwise cordial relationship between them. In most Nigerian cultures, the man usually pays the dowry or bride-price and is thus considered the head of the family. Adultery is acceptable for men, but forbidden for women.
Marriage in Idoma land is considered a lifelong state, although divorce is possible on the grounds of adultery or other concrete reasons.
The Ya marriage ceremony involves certain customary functions that precede the consummation of the marriage. Here the bride and groom must come from the same tribe. In case of unavoidable divorce as aresult of adultery on the woman's part, the parents of the wife are bound to return double the cumulative expenses of the husband.
Some tribes, marriage is invalid if the woman's fertility is not proven.
((http://family.jrank.org/pages/1211/Nigeria-Marriages-in-Nigeria.html))
- Education in Nigeria is managed by the state.
- There are 27 federal and state-owned polytechnics in Nigeria
- The present literacy rate is estimated at 72%.
- The first 6 years of primary education are mandatory in Nigeria.
In 1990, three fundamentally distinct education systems existed in Nigeria - the indigenous system, the Quranic schools, and formal European-style educational institutions. Higher Education in Nigeria originated with the colonial government launching the Yaba Higher College in 1934.
According to the 1979 constitution, education in Nigeria became the responsibility of the state and local councils. The first 6 years of primary education were made mandatory, which was a significant factor in the development of education in Nigeria. There has been a noticeable upgrading of educational facilities in Nigeria in recent years.
((http://www.mapsofworld.com/nigeria/education/))