INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE AS IT AFFECTS WOMEN AND THE GIRL-CHILD IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

"The human rights of women and of the girl-child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community". Despite the significant of human rights and Nigeria as a state party and signatory to many international and African instruments that protect the human rights and dignity of its citizens, including declarations of equality for women and children, the northern Nigerian women and girls struggle with gender inequality and gender-based violence. These inequalities have impacted negatively on their health, education, economics, security, and dignity. Women and the girl child are expected to practice the culture and religious beliefs of silence, submit in their roles as daughters and wives and accept the deprivation of their equal employment and educational opportunities. To expose the inadequate enjoyment of human rights by women and the girl-child in northern Nigerian society, this thesis will illustrate the cases of child marriage and seclusion in northern Nigeria to demonstrate issues of infringement on the socio-economic rights of women; freedom of fair hearing, movement, health, sexual and reproductive rights; right to choose or have consent on whom to marry; right to life and personal liberty; and right to education, etc.