The government of Nigeria has taken some steps to address gender discrimination in the country, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Some of the actions that the government has taken include:
Approving a revised National Gender Policy in March 2022, which aims to promote gender equality, good governance, and accountability across the three tiers of government in the country.
Signing and ratifying various international and regional instruments that promote and protect women's rights, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Enacting some laws and policies that address specific forms of gender discrimination and violence against women, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, the Child Rights Act 2003, the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015, and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
However, these actions are not enough to ensure that women and girls enjoy equal rights and opportunities in Nigeria. Some of the challenges that remain include:
The lack of effective implementation and enforcement of the existing laws and policies that protect women's rights, due to inadequate funding, capacity, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation.
The persistence of discriminatory customary and religious laws and practices that undermine women's rights, especially in areas such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, custody, and access to land and property.
The resistance and opposition from some conservative groups and individuals who view women's rights as a threat to their culture, religion, or power.
The low level of awareness and education among women and girls about their rights and how to claim them. Many women and girls also face social and economic barriers that limit their access to justice, health care, education, employment, and political participation.
The government of Nigeria can do more to address gender discrimination by:
Ensuring that all laws and policies are consistent with the constitutional provisions on equality and nondiscrimination, as well as with the international and regional obligations that Nigeria has signed up to.
Strengthening the implementation and enforcement of the existing laws and policies that protect women's rights, by allocating adequate resources, building institutional capacity, enhancing inter-agency coordination, establishing effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and ensuring accountability for violations.
Engaging with traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, media outlets, and other stakeholders to challenge discriminatory norms and practices that affect women's rights. It should also promote public awareness and education on women's rights among both men and women.
Empowering women and girls to claim their rights and participate in all spheres of life. It should also provide them with access to quality services and opportunities in areas such as justice, health care, education, employment, and political participation.
Conclusion
The government of Nigeria has made some progress in addressing gender discrimination, but there is still a long way to go. By taking the steps outlined above, the government can help to create a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians.
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