CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Backgroundto the Study
Nigeria society like most societies in the world is patrilineal and patriarchal. Although, the level of this patriarchy may differ in relative terms from Nigeria one community to another. The question of the “universal” (equal) or „relative‟ (contingent) character of the rights declared in the major instruments of the human rights movement has been a source of debate and advocacy from the beginning when the movement‟s started. The contest between these positions look on renewed vigour as human rights movement slowly developed and reneged on making specific provision on gender issues.1 There have also been diverging theories on the sovereign autonomy of a state to follow it own paths in this matter. For example, the universal theory of human rights claims that the rights to equality and equity enshrines in international treaties must be applicable all over the world in the various domiciliary legal system, even in societies that are fundamentally cultural, religious and or customary. In those arguably patriarchal societies such as Nigeria (and in sub-Saharan African in general), laws, rooted in customs and traditions often discriminate against women.
These discriminatory trends against Nigerian and African women are violations of the fundamental human rights against discrimination, a right recognized in a number of core international human rights instrument. The status accorded to women relative to men is a low one. Such status difference almost and or always translates into unequal recognition and
treatment of the two sexes in various ways. Quite often, this inherent prejudice has meant discrimination and disadvantages against women in various spheres of human endeavours.
The Nigerian communities being patriarchal societies believe that the traditional role of a woman is that of a child bearer, home keeper, comforter, and food provider for husband, children and at large presupposes that the propagations of the male as the superior sex for purpose of politics, participation and power relation including family and social decision making. Nigerian women constitute the majority of the peasant labour force in agricultural sector, while most of the others occupy bottom of occupational ladder and continue to channel into services and domestic occupation.Politically, Nigerian women are negligible and undermined force with little political involvement.4
In most Nigerian communities, women have no right to land, inheritance of family property and equal opportunity. For instance, some Igbo customary law rules carry the practice further that, when a father or a husband dies, it is purported that only the son(s) have the right to inherit him while the daughter(s) and wives are treated as some forms of chattel. While under Islamic law, a daughter or wife is given the right to inherit her father or husband but her share of the inheritance is half of her male counterpart.
It should be noted at this juncture that the rights given to Nigerian women had been properly examined in the decided case of OnyiborAnekwe and Anor vs. Mrs. Maria Nweke where the Supreme Court held that Nigerian customs which disinherit women are repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and should therefore not be allowed to stand.
