The Legal Framework for the Protection of the Rights of the Girl-Child in Nigeria; How Effective?

The girl-child in Nigeria has globally recognized and acknowledged inalienable rights as a member of the human family. However, the rights of the girl-child in Nigeria continue to be violated despite the plethora of laws guaranteeing such rights in domestic and international instruments. This paper examines the legal framework for the protection of the girl child in Nigeria and contends that there are several social, cultural and economic factors that make the laws ineffective in the lives of the girl-child in Nigeria. The laws by themselves are not enough to protect the rights of girl children. There has to be adequate social and economic structures to guarantee the enjoyment of such rights. This work posits that several factors serve as impediments to the realization of the rights of the girl child. These impediments include, non adoption of the Child’s Rights Act 2003 by some states, discriminatory cultural practices, child labour , among others. This work therefore underscores the need for legal reforms including nation-wide adoption of the Child Rights Act 2003, prohibition and punishment of discriminatory cultural practices against the girl child, equal educational opportunities for the girl child, among others to ensure a better realization of the rights of the girl child in Nigeria.