Customary law impacts on women's rights issues: reconciling the tensions in Nigeria

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Periodical article

Title:	Customary law impacts on women's rights issues: reconciling the tensions in Nigeria
Author:	Ijeoma, A.N.
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Lesotho Law Journal: A Journal of Law and Development
Volume:	18
Issue:	1
Pages:	85-98
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	women's rights jurisprudence
Abstract:	In many parts of Africa, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs, stereotypes and attitudes often result in customary practices that negatively impact on the economic, social, cultural, developmental and survival rights of women and girls. This is despite the enactment of several policies and State laws that prohibt early or forced marriages, gender based violence, sexual trafficking, and harmful and discriminatory traditional pratices. This paper acknowledges the tensions and questions raised by the conflicts between culture and rights in Nigeria, and highlights the impact of customary laws on the protection of women's rights in the country. The author analyses the juridical developments in case law involving women's issues, and suggests methods and opportunities for realizing and protecting gender specific human rights. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]