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.
