TOW ARDS AN ENFORCEABLE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CURBING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Woman has over the years been relegated to thebackground despite her key role in the general life of humankind. The patriarchal African society treats the woman as a second class citizen through domineering tendencies that manifest in domestic decision making, political participation, public governance and indeed, every sphere of life. The woman is maltreated, dominated, and traumatised through violent instances of trafficking, rape, and torture. These vices constitute the hallmark of gender-based violence being perpetrated by men with impunity. Expectedly, different movements advocating for gender balance have arisen. It is, however, surprising that the woman's problem is the woman herself since women's agitation for liberation from the clutches of male domination is yet to demonstrate a complete colouration of collective determinism by the dominated women. Furthermore, the existing gender related laws are characterised by ambiguity and loopholes. It is against this helpless situation that this paper argues for an enforceable legal framework as a veritable tool for curbing gender-based violence in Nigeria. The paper concludes that for gender¬ based violence to be eradicated, women who are in positions of authority must stand firmly behind women-activists, while the legal instruments concerning the rights of women, (which are regarded as global best practices) must be domesticated in Nigeria.