GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMENS’ ECONOMIC AND SOCIOCULTURAL RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: DECONSTRUCTING THE BIASES

Abstract

Rights are claims of an individual recognized by the society and the state. These rights are ascribed to individuals by virtue of their being humans. Among these rights are economic, social and cultural rights which are critical not only to the survival but also to the development of full human potentials. These rights include among others the right to adequate shelter and food, quality healthcare, fair and full employment, right to freedom from harmful practices and even the right to participate and enjoy the benefits from one’s own culture. The importance of these rights is underscored by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which grants them universal application. While, however, the rights are enjoyed almost equally by both men and women in the West, in Nigeria, their enjoyment by women is still plagued by structural and religious inhibitions. Given the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society, women in most parts occupy the base of the socio-cultural ladder which enables men to dominate them. They face discrimination in empowerment and employment opportunities and home/cultural matters. The paper adopts the historical and evaluative methods to situate the gender inequality and discrimination in proper context and argues that democracy permits diversity of opinions and full participation of all citizens in government and decision making. It interrogates and challenges agelong cultural practices that place women at a disadvantage. It submits that constitutional provisions on human rights should be strictly enforced by the government and argues for a new gender relation that recognizes the equality of all humans.