Adoption of convention on the elimination of all forms of discriminationagainst women (CEDAW) and women rights in Nigeria – a wild goose chase?

Abstract

Life is getting better for most people. But you are still more likely to be better off if you are a man rather than a woman. Typically, our Constitution prohibits any form of gender discrimination. Interestingly, legislative activities since the Second Republic in Nigeria to the present day have not placed any direct obstacle or barrier on the development of women, the assertion of their rights and the realization of their goals, both common and individual. However the situation in reality is far from the position of the Constitution as women still struggle to keep their heads above the ‘waters of discrimination' in different areas of life and aspiration. Britain and some countries of Western Europe are virtually free from this discrimination, many thanks to the effect of the suffragatte movement of late 19th and early 20th centuries.
According to 1991 Census Report, women make up 49.6% of the nation\'s population. Though these figures have changed with the Population census of 2006 which states that the males constitute 71.7 million which is 51.22% of the total population of about 140 million whilst the females are 68.3million which is about 48.78%. The percentage of women is just a little lesser than that of the 1991 census and they are responsible for the reproduction of the labour force and for producing over 70% of the nation\'s food supply. Majority of female workers are in lower cadre occupations. Those in professional and marginal occupations constitute only 18% of that grade of employment. Although the provisions of the Constitution stipulates that there should be no discrimination based on sex and there are other laws, which are supposed to protect women, these laws are poorly implemented and can be said not to adequately protect women's rights. Most Nigerian women are informal sector workers who predominate in micro enterprises with little or no access to credit, technology and other supports required to build up capital. In fact, Nigerian women experience violence throughout their life cycle like many of their sisters in African countries.
It is the position of this paper therefore that all the expectations of women can be summarised as women empowerment and the creation of atmosphere for the enjoyment by women of equality of treatment in every facets of life. Thus the domestication of CEDAW will go a long way to make this realizable by providing an enabling environment. In essence ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) without adoption or domestication is a ruse.


African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 11 (1&2) 2008: pp. 92-104