The United Nations and the Pursuit of Gender Equality in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis of CEDAW Implementation and Challenges

Abstract

Despite significant global advancements toward gender equality, men continue to dominate key
sectors such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, and other highly remunerative
professions. In Nigeria, profound disparities persist between men and women in terms of rights,
privileges, and access to opportunities. These gender inequities are deeply entrenched in cultural
stereotypes and socio-economic barriers that lack a foundation in objective realities. This study
undertakes a critical examination of the United Nations' efforts, particularly through the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in
promoting gender equality within Nigeria's socio-political landscape. Grounded in Radical
Feminist theory and employing a rigorous content analysis methodology, the research draws
upon secondary data to dissect the structural impediments to gender parity in Nigeria. The
findings underscore the enduring influence of Nigeria’s patriarchal system, which has fostered
widespread female illiteracy and severely curtailed women’s participation in politics and
governance. This patriarchal entrenchment has not only perpetuated systemic inequality but has
also limited the effectiveness of United Nations interventions, particularly those framed by
CEDAW. The study calls for a more assertive and pragmatic enforcement of CEDAW provisions
in Nigeria, tailored to confront the nation's intricate socio-cultural dynamics. Additionally, it
emphasizes the urgent need to address the root causes of gender inequality, particularly through
robust educational reforms and targeted sensitization programs. By empowering women and
dismantling the entrenched structural barriers, these measures hold the potential to create a more
equitable and inclusive future for Nigeria.