AN EXAMINATION OF THE ABUSE OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS OF WOMEN PARTICULARLY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

During the course of evolution, the female gender had inter alia suffered cruelty, discrimination, inhuman and degrading treatment. They are still being subjected to the same treatment globally condemned. Some of the abuses from men and the society have killed many women and brutalising them while many of these are depriving them of equal enjoyment of life enjoyed by their male counterpart. This paper examined the treatments of women that are infringements on their reproductive health and rights globally and particularly in Nigeria. The country is in the sub-Saharan Africa where the ill treatments are endemic. The paper relied on international, regional and local legal frameworks in addition to judicial authorities as primary source of information. It also relied on journals, textbooks and internet publications as secondary source of information. Both the primary and secondary sources were subjected to context analysis. The paper discovered that there are practices culturally established from time immemorial in many societies particularly in Nigeria that are discriminatory and subjecting female gender to cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment. They are highly militating against the health of women and even taking the life of many of them. They have been internationally condemned but still being practiced particularly in many developing countries. They are more practiced in Africa sub-region which includes Nigeria. The rate of the abuse is increasing daily and endangering the life of the women. Some of the abuses such as female gender mutilation, sexual assault and rape are also orchestrating the spread of contagious diseases which are threat to the life of the people generally. This research concluded that there is need for a better society where by women will be treated with dignity and in a manner devoid of discrimination. There is still need for more holistic approach in the implementation of various legal frameworks. Besides, some of them need to be reviewed for a better life especially for the women.