SUSTAINING WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN NIGERIA, FROM GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO LOCAL RESULTS: RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA IN FOCUS

Abstract

Many African countries have made progress in advancing women’s rights, most notably through constitutional reforms, the adoption of gender quotas in politics, expanded access to education for girls, breaking sustained cultural norms, and ensuring a culture of equity. Despite these achievements, progress remains uneven across the continent due to deeply entrenched patriarchal norms, cultural practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and persistent economic exclusion, which continue to undermine gender equity. The weak enforcement of existing legal frameworks further compounds these challenges, as policies and laws often fail to translate into tangible improvements. This article adopts a doctrinal method and reviews literature, including CEDAW, policy reports, and case studies, to evaluate the progress and setbacks of gender equity in Nigeria, particularly in Rivers State. It argues that while significant strides have been made, sustainable progress requires a holistic approach that combines stronger enforcement of legal protections with greater political will, among other measures.