Women Discrimination and Its Implication on Development:
Introduction – Women Discrimination in Nigeria
Discrimination against women is defined by Article 1 of the United Nations Conventions on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women of 1979 (CEDAW) as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of sex of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.” This document is a landmark convention and the most important normative instrument that aims to achieve equal rights for women everywhere in the world. The Nigerian government became a state party to this convention when it ratified it in 1985 without reservations and signed the optional protocol in 2000.
As defined by CEDAW, discrimination is symptomatic of a situation where patterns of structural inequality are maintained by rules, norms and procedures that dictate a subordinate role for women in all spheres of society. This call for an end to all forms of discrimination against women emphasizes the need for a radical redefinition of the process and content of economic, social and political development. It stresses the need for a holistic orientation which acknowledges the role of women in development and engineers their integration into development processes as equal partners with men. Our evaluation of discrimination against women shall be focused on women and inheritance, especially in Igbo community, South East of Nigeria; without losing sight on other forms of women discrimination in Nigeria.
Discrimination affects women’s political and civil rights. Despite international, regional and domestic protections, discrimination persists in Nigeria. The persistence is due to structural and ideological factors. Nigeria is a traditionally patriarchal society. Mode of
Discrimination against women is defined by Article 1 of the United Nations Conventions on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women of 1979 (CEDAW) as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of sex of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.” This document is a landmark convention and the most important normative instrument that aims to achieve equal rights for women everywhere in the world. The Nigerian government became a state party to this convention when it ratified it in 1985 without reservations and signed the optional protocol in 2000.
As defined by CEDAW, discrimination is symptomatic of a situation where patterns of structural inequality are maintained by rules, norms and procedures that dictate a subordinate role for women in all spheres of society. This call for an end to all forms of discrimination against women emphasizes the need for a radical redefinition of the process and content of economic, social and political development. It stresses the need for a holistic orientation which acknowledges the role of women in development and engineers their integration into development processes as equal partners with men. Our evaluation of discrimination against women shall be focused on women and inheritance, especially in Igbo community, South East of Nigeria; without losing sight on other forms of women discrimination in Nigeria.
Discrimination affects women’s political and civil rights. Despite international, regional and domestic protections, discrimination persists in Nigeria. The persistence is due to structural and ideological factors. Nigeria is a traditionally patriarchal society. Mode of
Bibliography: Ezeilo J (2000); Laws and Practices Relating to Women’s Inheritance Rights in Nigeria: An overview, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu. Gender Equality and Social Institutions in Nigeria, Available at: