IMPLEMENTATION OF GENDER EQUITY IN INTERNATIONAL LAW - AN APPRAISAL OF A NATIONAL CONTEXT

Despite the existence of constitutional provisions and commitments of regional and international human rights conventions, the rights of female are grossly violated and devalued in many African countries. The establishment of structures of inequality has generated gender discrimination against women. Although, women play vital roles in nation development, they do not have equal share of land, credit, education, employment, and political power with men. Fundamentally, women have been subjected to domination by men as a result of persisting cultural stereotype, abuse of religious and traditional practices, patriarchal societal structures in which economic, political and social powers are dominated by men. This article examines the concept of female gender discrimination and empowerment, its background and its causes in Nigeria. This study reveals that in spite of the existence of various legal frameworks protecting women against discrimination, the practices continue in Nigeria. It further reveals that Islamic law protects women’s’ rights in Qur’an and Sunnah contrary to some expressed negative opinions. To accomplish the thrust of this study, the writers employed primary and secondary sources like international, national and regional instruments on human rights, Nigerian Constitution, Qur’an and Sunnah. Others are text books, journals and internet. The study recommends for the abrogation of practices that discriminate against women, amendment of provisions of Nigerian legislations that discriminate against women and to restructure some federal agencies that discriminate against women folk.